Smithsonite and Calcite, Kelly Mine, New Mexico

Contributed by: James Horste
Date: Apr 15th, 2026
Locality: Kelly Mine, Magdalena Mining District, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 2.9 x 2.1 x 4.1 inches
Weight: 16 oz

Description:
Here is a beautiful multicolored specimen from the Kelly Mine in New Mexico. This piece has smithsonite that fluoresces red and violet, calcite that fluoresces red orange, and hydrozincite that fluoresces blue, all under SW UV. The Kelly Mine is a former Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-Au mine located 3.2 miles SE of Magdalena New Mexico, in the headwaters area of Kelly Gulch. It was discovered in 1878 and closed to commercial ore mining in 1957. Operation for mineral specimens continues.

Originally posted by James Horste on Nature's Rainbows in 2016.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Calcite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red

• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue

• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Violet