Table of Contents

• Editor’s Note: The Apatite Supergroup Photo Gallery by Howie Green 1
• Fluorapatite, Calcite, and Chalcedony from La Celia, Spain by Daniel C. Montero 2
• Pyromorphite Altering to Plumbogummite at Daoping Mine by Howie Green 2
• Fluorapatite on Hematite from La Celia, Spain by Daniel C. Montero 3
• Caracolite and an Unidentified Mineral from Challacollo by Howie Green 3
• Zoned Fluorapatite from Julcani, Peru by Doug Bank 4
• Fluorapatite and Chalcedony from Cerro de Mercado by Mike Crawford 5
• Zircon, Fluorapatite, Calcite, and Mica from Astore Valley by Howie Green 6
• Fluorapatite and Calcite from the Comet Mine by Howie Green 6
• Mimetite and Hemimorphite from Mfouati Mine by Simone Conti 7
• Fluorapatite in Calcite from the Liscombe Deposit by Frédéric Messier Leroux 7
• Fluorapatite and Quartz from a Pakistan Pegmatite by Bart Pickard 8
• Hedyphane and Willemite from Franklin Mine by Simone Conti 8
• Fluorapatite from the Medina Pegmatite Field by Neal E. Luppescu 9
• Fluorapatite with Unidentified Green Fluorescence from Huánzala by Howie Green 9
• Fluorapatite from Chamcoroma, Tanzania by Howie Green 9
• Fluorapatite and Calcite from the Mulvaney Property by Howie Green 10
• Fluorapatite from Minas Gerais, Brazil by Howie Green 10
• Zoned Fluorapatite, Bertrandite, and Fluorite from Akchatau by Neal E. Luppescu 11
• Sector-Zoned Fluorapatite from Huánzala Mine by Don Newsome 12
• Fluorapatite and Hyalite in a Gilgit Pegmatite Assemblage by Don Newsome 12
• Sector-Zoned Fluorapatite with Siderite from Panasqueira by Paul Sewell 13
• Fluorapatite and Calcite from Tory Hill by Howie Green 13
• Fluorapatite and Siderite from Minas Gerais by Howie Green 14
• Turneaureite and Calcite from Franklin Mine by Don Newsome 14
• John Rakovan’s Fluorescent Mineral Display at the Tucson Show by — 15
• Svabite, Calcite, Tilasite, Cymrite, and Johnbaumite from Jakobsberg by Martijn Hendrikx 16
• Calcite with Johnbaumite from Jakobsberg by Martijn Hendrikx 16
• Svabite, Tilasite, and Other Arsenate Apatites from Jakobsberg by Martijn Hendrikx 16
• Calcite, Svabite, and Probable Cymrite from Jakobsberg by Martijn Hendrikx 16
• Multicolored Fluorapatite from Paprok, Afghanistan by Glenn Waychunas 17
• Fluorapatite from Mpwapwa, Tanzania by Glenn Waychunas 18
• Sector- and Concentric-Zoned Fluorapatite from Panasqueira by Glenn Waychunas 19
• Multicolored Fluorapatite from Cochabamba, Bolivia by Chris Clemens 20
• Fluorapatite from Tin Mines near Llallagua, Bolivia by Howie Green 20

Editor’s Note: The Apatite Supergroup Photo Gallery

By Howie Green · p. 1

This issue presents a photo gallery of reader-submitted fluorescent mineral specimens, following a previous issue’s coverage of the apatite supergroup. Specimen owners supplied the captions, with supplementary information from Justin Bank and Madeline Murchland. The editor notes their geological backgrounds and research interests, including arsenian apatites, talc deposits, rare-earth minerals, carbonatites, and apatite fluorescence spectroscopy.

Fluorapatite, Calcite, and Chalcedony from La Celia, Spain

By Daniel C. Montero · p. 2

A specimen from the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Mine at La Celia volcano in Jumilla, Murcia, combines large fluorapatite crystals, calcite, and chalcedony coating. Collected in 1990, the crystals reach three centimeters and show skeletal growth at their terminations. The apatite’s fluorescence is attributed tentatively to interactions among rare-earth elements. The entry shows the specimen in medium-wave and short-wave ultraviolet and white light.

Pyromorphite Altering to Plumbogummite at Daoping Mine

By Howie Green · p. 2

A specimen from the Daoping Mine in Gongcheng County, Guilin Prefecture, China, shows pyromorphite altering to plumbogummite in a lead-zinc hydrothermal deposit. The yellow-orange pyromorphite is attributed chiefly to europium activation, while the bright-green luminescent alteration areas are thought to contain uranyl activation. The three-by-two-inch specimen is shown under medium-wave ultraviolet light.

Fluorapatite on Hematite from La Celia, Spain

By Daniel C. Montero · p. 3

Fluorapatite crystals with chalcedony on hematite come from the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Mines in the La Celia lamproite outcrops, Jumilla, Murcia, Spain. The deposit formed through alteration of ultrapotassic rocks. The apatite displays unusual orange fluorescence in short-wave ultraviolet and lavender in medium-wave ultraviolet, likely related to samarium. The illustrated specimen measures 25 millimeters square, with crystals up to 14 millimeters.

Caracolite and an Unidentified Mineral from Challacollo

By Howie Green · p. 3

Caracolite, Na3Pb2(SO4)3Cl, occurs with a second unidentified mineral at Challacollo Mine, Tarapacá Province, Chile. Under short-wave ultraviolet, the caracolite produces pale pink-violet fluorescence, possibly intrinsic to its lead content, while the unknown mineral shows a teal response. The entry documents the distinct appearance of both materials in the same specimen and notes that the identity of the teal-fluorescing mineral remains unresolved.

Zoned Fluorapatite from Julcani, Peru

By Doug Bank · p. 4

Fluorapatite crystals from Peru’s Julcani District sit on and within a thick bed of arsenopyrite, with minor chalcopyrite. The magmatic-hydrothermal polymetallic deposit yielded transparent to yellow, well-terminated crystals displaying sectoral zoning and, on some terminations, concentric zoning. Pink and lavender responses under long- and medium-wave ultraviolet are linked to differing samarium and europium concentrations. The specimen also shows more saturated, dimmer fluorescence under short-wave ultraviolet.

Fluorapatite and Chalcedony from Cerro de Mercado

By Mike Crawford · p. 5

Two fluorapatite and chalcedony specimens come from Cerro de Mercado, Durango, Mexico, an iron oxide-apatite deposit. The apatite fluoresces lavender under medium-wave ultraviolet, likely due to europium and cerium, while the chalcedony’s green response is attributed to uranyl and is brightest under short-wave ultraviolet. The caption presents the pair under medium- and short-wave ultraviolet tube lights and gives their approximate dimensions.

Zircon, Fluorapatite, Calcite, and Mica from Astore Valley

By Howie Green · p. 6

A mineral assemblage of zircon, fluorapatite, calcite, and mica comes from the pegmatite-rich Astore Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Shown in medium-wave ultraviolet and white light, the specimen highlights apatite that is less often represented in white-light photographs. Its purple fluorescence is tentatively attributed to divalent europium. The caption identifies the locality as Astore District and notes the specimen’s two-inch-square size.

Fluorapatite and Calcite from the Comet Mine

By Howie Green · p. 6

Fluorapatite and calcite from the Comet Mine, La Pêche, Gatineau Hills, Quebec, are shown in white light and medium-wave ultraviolet. The mine is a lead-zinc-tungsten deposit associated with magmatic-hydrothermal activity. The apatite’s blue fluorescence is attributed tentatively to trivalent rare-earth elements, while manganese activates the calcite’s red response. The specimen measures approximately three by two inches.

Mimetite and Hemimorphite from Mfouati Mine

By Simone Conti · p. 7

Yellow mimetite and light-blue hemimorphite crystals on matrix come from the Mfouati Mine, Bouenza Department, Republic of the Congo. In this hydrothermal copper-lead-zinc deposit, the mimetite fluoresces orange under medium-wave ultraviolet, likely because of manganese, while hemimorphite fluoresces blue under short-wave ultraviolet. The response is weak and requires strong illumination; the caption cautions that the photograph is overexposed and may misrepresent the contrast.

Fluorapatite in Calcite from the Liscombe Deposit

By Frédéric Messier Leroux · p. 7

Fluorapatite enclosed in calcite comes from the carbonatite-hosted Liscombe Deposit in Cardiff Township, Haliburton County, Ontario. Under medium-wave ultraviolet from a 310-nanometer UVB LED, the apatite fluoresces blue, attributed to cerium and samarium, while manganese produces the calcite’s red response. The caption gives the specimen’s dimensions and identifies the deposit’s position within the township’s lots and concession.

Fluorapatite and Quartz from a Pakistan Pegmatite

By Bart Pickard · p. 8

A thumbnail specimen of fluorapatite and quartz comes from a pegmatite deposit in Pakistan. Photographed in white light and short-wave ultraviolet, it displays fluorescence that may reflect contributions from manganese and rare-earth elements, with dysprosium suggested as a possible activator. The caption provides no more specific locality, emphasizing the mineral pairing and the specimen’s ultraviolet response.

Hedyphane and Willemite from Franklin Mine

By Simone Conti · p. 8

A small Franklin Mine specimen contains massive hedyphane with franklinite and willemite. It shows weak, dark-orange fluorescence under medium-wave ultraviolet and no response under long- or short-wave ultraviolet. The caption notes a disagreement over which mineral fluoresces: the original label identifies hedyphane as nonfluorescent and willemite as the source, a distinction complicated by the collector’s lack of medium-wave ultraviolet equipment.

Fluorapatite from the Medina Pegmatite Field

By Neal E. Luppescu · p. 9

Fluorapatite from the Medina pegmatite field in the Pedra Azul pegmatite district, Minas Gerais, Brazil, is presented in white light, short-wave ultraviolet, and long-wave ultraviolet. The entry focuses on the specimen’s appearance across the three lighting conditions, without specifying an activator or additional associated minerals. The precise locality places the specimen within one of Brazil’s pegmatite-producing regions.

Fluorapatite with Unidentified Green Fluorescence from Huánzala

By Howie Green · p. 9

Fluorapatite from the Huánzala Mine, Huallanca District, Huánuco Department, Peru, shows an unidentified green fluorescence only under short-wave ultraviolet. The caption notes that scheelite is also found in some specimens from the mine, but does not identify it in this example. The illustrated specimen measures four by three inches, and the cause of its green response remains unknown.

Fluorapatite from Chamcoroma, Tanzania

By Howie Green · p. 9

A fluorapatite specimen from Chamcoroma, Dodoma Province, Tanzania, is shown under medium-wave ultraviolet. The caption identifies the locality and gives the specimen’s approximate size as three by two inches. It does not specify the cause or color of the fluorescence, making this entry a locality-focused visual record within the issue’s broader gallery of apatite specimens.

Fluorapatite and Calcite from the Mulvaney Property

By Howie Green · p. 10

Fluorapatite and calcite from the WSK area of the Mulvaney property in East Pitcairn, St. Lawrence County, New York, are shown under short-wave ultraviolet. The property is a wollastonite deposit formed in a skarn setting, with enrichments. Manganese activates the calcite’s pink fluorescence, while rare-earth elements are considered responsible for the apatite’s blue response. The specimen is approximately three by two inches.

Fluorapatite from Minas Gerais, Brazil

By Howie Green · p. 10

A four-by-three-inch fluorapatite specimen from Minas Gerais, Brazil, is presented in medium-wave ultraviolet and white light. Its fluorescence is attributed generally to rare-earth elements, without naming particular activators or describing a more specific color response. The entry documents another Brazilian apatite occurrence in the gallery and contrasts the specimen’s ultraviolet appearance with its natural-light view.

Zoned Fluorapatite, Bertrandite, and Fluorite from Akchatau

By Neal E. Luppescu · p. 11

Fluorapatite crystals with drusy purple quartz, blade-shaped bertrandite aggregates, and opaque octahedral fluorite come from the Akchatau Mine, Kazakhstan. Short-wave ultraviolet reveals pronounced zoning in the apatite prisms, which is also visible under long-wave ultraviolet. Bertrandite fluoresces blue-white in short-wave ultraviolet and creamy tan in long-wave ultraviolet. In white light, the fluorite appears black and is described as dark purple when viewed closely.

Sector-Zoned Fluorapatite from Huánzala Mine

By Don Newsome · p. 12

Fluorapatite on pyrite from the Huánzala Mine, Huallanca District, Peru, displays sectoral zoning under medium- and short-wave ultraviolet. The magmatic-hydrothermal deposit is known for zoned apatite specimens. Differences among crystal faces incorporated during growth are linked to varying amounts of rare-earth-element activators, producing the zoning. Photographs are credited to Jeff Scovil, and the specimen is shown in two ultraviolet ranges.

Fluorapatite and Hyalite in a Gilgit Pegmatite Assemblage

By Don Newsome · p. 12

A pegmatite assemblage from Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, includes fluorapatite, hyalite, goshenite, muscovite, albite, and schorl. Under short-wave ultraviolet, hyalite fluoresces bright green and apatite shows a distinctive yellow response. The apatite color is attributed tentatively to a combination of europium, dysprosium, samarium, and manganese. The specimen comes from the Bill Stone collection, and its photographs are credited to Jeff Scovil.

Sector-Zoned Fluorapatite with Siderite from Panasqueira

By Paul Sewell · p. 13

Fluorapatite with siderite from the Panasqueira Mines in Portugal displays sectoral zoning under medium-wave ultraviolet. Yellow crystal faces incorporated more manganese during growth, while blue caps contain more europium. The specimen measures four by three by two and a half inches and is shown in natural light as well as ultraviolet. Its face-to-face color differences illustrate how growth conditions can produce distinct fluorescent zones within one crystal.

Fluorapatite and Calcite from Tory Hill

By Howie Green · p. 13

Fluorapatite and calcite from Tory Hill, Haliburton County, Ontario, are shown under medium-wave ultraviolet. Tory Hill and nearby deposits are considered likely to be associated with carbonatites and are enriched in rare-earth elements. The apatite’s blue-gray luminescence may result from both divalent and trivalent rare-earth elements together with manganese. The specimen is approximately four inches across.

Fluorapatite and Siderite from Minas Gerais

By Howie Green · p. 14

A ten-inch-wide, torpedo-shaped fluorapatite and siderite specimen is labeled only as coming from Minas Gerais, Brazil. The entry shows it in medium-wave ultraviolet, long-wave ultraviolet, and white light, including a close view of its unusual crystal habit. Minas Gerais is noted as a pegmatite-producing region where apatite with rare-earth-activated fluorescence is common.

Turneaureite and Calcite from Franklin Mine

By Don Newsome · p. 14

A large turneaureite specimen from Franklin Mine, New Jersey, is shown in short-wave ultraviolet, with dark-orange fluorescent calcite and lighter-orange turneaureite. Manganese is proposed as the activator in both minerals. The specimen passed through several collectors before being acquired by Don Newsome in 1994 and sold to the Franklin Mineral Museum in 2022. It measures four by five and a half by nine inches and weighs 11.5 pounds.

John Rakovan’s Fluorescent Mineral Display at the Tucson Show

p. 15

Photographs show John Rakovan’s display case at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in February 2022, including its placement in the Fluorescent Mineral Society’s fluorescent mineral display section. The images document a public mineral exhibition and its presentation at the show. Doug Bank is credited for the photographs; no further specimen or display-case details are provided.

Svabite, Calcite, Tilasite, Cymrite, and Johnbaumite from Jakobsberg

By Martijn Hendrikx · p. 16

A specimen from the Jakobsberg Mine, Nordmark, Värmland, Sweden, contains svabite, calcite, tilasite, traces of cymrite, and johnbaumite. Under short-wave ultraviolet, svabite shows orange-yellow fluorescence attributed to manganese, while calcite and dolomite produce red-orange responses. Purple fluorescence in johnbaumite is linked to trivalent rare-earth elements. The caption cautions that johnbaumite can also fluoresce orange and may be difficult to distinguish visually from svabite.

Calcite with Johnbaumite from Jakobsberg

By Martijn Hendrikx · p. 16

Calcite with johnbaumite from the Jakobsberg Mine in Nordmark, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden, is presented under short-wave ultraviolet. The specimen measures about five by three by three inches. Its occurrence is part of a group of related mineral examples from the mine, where calcite and several arsenate minerals are shown with differing ultraviolet responses. The caption identifies the two principal minerals and gives the locality and specimen dimensions.

Svabite, Tilasite, and Other Arsenate Apatites from Jakobsberg

By Martijn Hendrikx · p. 16

A three-by-three-by-one-inch specimen from the Jakobsberg Mine, Värmland, Sweden, contains svabite and tilasite, probably accompanied by a mixture of other arsenate apatite species. The caption emphasizes the assemblage and its uncertain mineral identification rather than assigning an ultraviolet response. Its locality links it to the same mineral-rich Swedish mine represented by other calcite, cymrite, and johnbaumite specimens in the gallery.

Calcite, Svabite, and Probable Cymrite from Jakobsberg

By Martijn Hendrikx · p. 16

A specimen from the Jakobsberg Mine, Nordmark, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden, contains calcite, svabite, and probably cymrite. The caption records the mineral identifications as partly tentative and presents the specimen under short-wave ultraviolet. It measures approximately four by three by one inch, adding another example of the mine’s associated calcite and arsenate-bearing minerals.

Multicolored Fluorapatite from Paprok, Afghanistan

By Glenn Waychunas · p. 17

Fluorapatite from the Paprok pegmatite in Nuristan, Afghanistan, displays varied colors across ultraviolet wavelengths. Yellow fluorescence is associated with manganese, samarium, and dysprosium, while blue and purple responses are linked to europium and cerium. The specimen shows blue with some yellow under short-wave ultraviolet, blue-violet under medium-wave, and yellow with blue under long-wave. Filtered and unfiltered 405-nanometer illumination further reveals yellow fluorescence and localized color variation.

Fluorapatite from Mpwapwa, Tanzania

By Glenn Waychunas · p. 18

A fluorapatite specimen from a new 2022 find at Mpwapwa, Tanzania, is described as showing mainly blue fluorescence across ultraviolet wavelengths, with its strongest response under medium-wave ultraviolet. The caption suggests the specimen has low manganese content but does not identify other activators. The four-inch specimen was obtained from an Italian dealer at the 2022 Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines show.

Sector- and Concentric-Zoned Fluorapatite from Panasqueira

By Glenn Waychunas · p. 19

A large fluorapatite from Portugal’s Panasqueira Mine demonstrates sharp sectoral and possible concentric zoning. The yellow center and body are attributed to manganese, while blue crystal ends are linked to europium; broken crystals reveal yellow fluorescent cores. The magmatic-hydrothermal deposit is known for apatite with varied colors in visible and ultraviolet light. The entry compares responses under short-, medium-, and long-wave ultraviolet and filtered and unfiltered 405-nanometer illumination.

Multicolored Fluorapatite from Cochabamba, Bolivia

By Chris Clemens · p. 20

A translucent peach-colored fluorapatite crystal from Cochabamba, Bolivia, possibly the Kami Mine, produces distinct colors under different ultraviolet wavelengths. Short-wave ultraviolet reveals bright orange, medium-wave produces pale pink, and long-wave yields deeper pink-magenta. The 60-by-40-by-32-millimeter crystal weighs 116 grams. Its complex response is attributed tentatively to interacting transition-metal, rare-earth, and anion impurity activators, possibly with co-activators.

Fluorapatite from Tin Mines near Llallagua, Bolivia

By Howie Green · p. 20

Clear fluorapatite crystals from one of the productive tin mines near Llallagua, in Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia, are shown in long-wave ultraviolet and white light. The specimen’s short- and medium-wave responses are described as similar but much less intense. The caption identifies the mining-area locality and notes the crystals’ clarity, without proposing a cause for their fluorescence.