Beautifully Rich Calcite and Selenite Crystals
Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 14th, 2026
Locality: Southeastern United States, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 2.5 x 2 x 4 inches
Weight: 21.7 oz
Description:
This specimen was found in an estate sale of a very prolific collector. Sadly, none of the specimens had ID tags. From the majority of the collection, it appears that he self-collected most of the material, most of it from areas in Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas, etc. - deep south/southeast. I am going to assume it is from this region - if anyone has come across similar and knows the locality, please let me know.
It appears that the very pretty light pink fluorescing (shortwave) areas are calcite; they exhibit a brief, but strong, intense phosphorescence (BIP). Under MW the color shifts to a whiter hue, and under LW almost pure white. It is also nicely phosphorescent, lasting a few seconds.
Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows in 2016.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Violet
- Fluorescence under Midwave (305nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: White
- Afterglow after exposure to Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: White