Table of Contents

• THE FLUORESCENT MINERALS OF BROKEN HILL, NSW by Eric von Werstak 1–7
• HOKKAIDOITE; A COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION by Captain G. Vella 8–11
• FLUORESCENT CALCITE FROM PAT AGONIA by Andrés Oteiza 12–21
• THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW by Jim Herbold 22–23
• TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: MIKE CRAWFORD by Mike Crawford 24–25
• TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: PAUL BORDOVSKY by Paul Bordovsky 26
• TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: SIMONE CONTI by Simone Conti 27–28
• TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: HOWIE GREEN by Howie Green 29–31
• TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: GLENN WAYCHUNAS by Glenn Waychunas 32–33
• TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: ANDREW SILVER by Andrew Silver 33–34

THE FLUORESCENT MINERALS OF BROKEN HILL, NSW

By Eric von Werstak · pp. 1–7

Eric von Werstak surveys the mining history, geology, and mineralogy of Broken Hill in New South Wales, Australia, with particular attention to minerals that emit visible light under ultraviolet illumination. The article discusses the Line of Lode, oxidation and sulphide zones, historical investigation methods, and collecting access. Individual entries cover anglesite, apatite, calcite, gypsum, marshite, mimetite, pyromorphite, smithsonite, sphalerite, scheelite, stolzite, and other minerals, including their compositions, localities, crystal habits, and observed emission colors.

HOKKAIDOITE; A COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION

By Captain G. Vella · pp. 8–11

Captain G. Vella introduces hokkaidoite, a Japanese organic mineral approved and registered in 2023. The article traces its relationship to carpathite and describes its identification through powder diffraction, chromatography, single-crystal X-ray analysis, and related testing. It compares occurrences at the Aibetsu mercury mine and the Shikaoi/Shikaribetsu opal deposits, explains the role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lists additional Japanese localities, and discusses museum displays, collecting restrictions, and mislabeling of purported hokkaidoite specimens.

FLUORESCENT CALCITE FROM PAT AGONIA

By Andrés Oteiza · pp. 12–21

Andrés Oteiza recounts the discovery and study of unusual calcite geodes from the El Choique and Colli Cura mines in Neuquén Province, Argentina. The narrative follows field exploration, the association with pink amethyst, chalcedony, barite, analcime, and celestine, and subsequent testing under long-, mid-, and short-wave ultraviolet lamps. The geodes show contrasting red, green, blue, purple, and yellow emissions. Possible activators include manganese, lead, uranium, and rare earth elements, while further analytical work is awaiting publication.

THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW

By Jim Herbold · pp. 22–23

Jim Herbold reports on the Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society’s annual show in San Jose, California. The event drew approximately 40 dealers and more than 3,700 attendees, with a dedicated dark room for mineral displays. He presents cases by Steve Scott, Steve Skala, Jon Roth, Bruce White, and himself, describing full-spectrum collections, first-time public displays, a hardystonite discovery from the Franklin Mill Site, custom lighting, Montana sphalerites, and Balmat, New York amphibole and related minerals.

TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: MIKE CRAWFORD

By Mike Crawford · pp. 24–25

Mike Crawford presents two acquisitions from the Huanzala Mine in Peru. The first is red- and orange-emitting sphalerite, with discussion of near-infrared intensity and possible copper-, gallium-, indium-, tungsten-, and sulfur-vacancy-related activators. The second combines calcite, fluorapatite, black sphalerite, pyrite, and scattered scheelite. Crawford records the different responses of calcite, fluorapatite, and scheelite under long-, mid-, and short-wave ultraviolet illumination, and notes dysprosium as the activator associated with fluorapatite’s laser-induced yellow emission.

TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: PAUL BORDOVSKY

By Paul Bordovsky · p. 26

Paul Bordovsky describes a calcite specimen from Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China, that attracted more than 4,500 reactions in the FMS Facebook Group within a few days. He discusses the specimen’s visual appeal and the varied interpretations of its triangular patterns, including references made by viewers to extraterrestrial themes, ancient technology, spiritual concepts, and popular culture. The contribution emphasizes how an unusual mineral image reached audiences beyond conventional gem and mineral collecting communities.

TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: SIMONE CONTI

By Simone Conti · pp. 27–28

Simone Conti documents two mineral specimens from the Franklin Mine in Sussex County, New Jersey, along with a hokkaidoite-bearing opal from Hokkaido, Japan. The first Franklin specimen associates cuspidine with calcite, willemite, and franklinite; cuspidine appears mustard yellow under short-wave and pinkish under mid-wave illumination. The second combines turneaureite and calcite, producing orange and red emissions. The Japanese specimen contains hokkaidoite grains in opal, whose varied colors contrast with the mineral’s brilliant green response.

TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: HOWIE GREEN

By Howie Green · pp. 29–31

Howie Green describes Tucson acquisitions added to his barite, danburite, and apatite collections. Featured specimens include fluorapatite and quartz from the Kami mine in Bolivia; barite and calcite from Sardinia, Italy, both showing afterglow; danburite and calcite from San Luis Potosí, Mexico; and calcite with fluorite from Mina Moscona in Spain. The descriptions identify localities, specimen sizes, illumination conditions, and proposed activators, including rare earth elements, europium, and uranyl ions.

TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: GLENN WAYCHUNAS

By Glenn Waychunas · pp. 32–33

Glenn Waychunas presents red-emitting fluorite from the Ojuela Mine in Mapimí, Mexico, and blue-over-red fluorite from the Camissinone mine in Lombardy, Italy. He notes the large size, transparency, and crystal quality of the Mexican material and adds that his collection now includes red-emitting fluorite from thirteen localities. The contribution also features radiating willemite from Zambia’s Excelsior Prospect, whose second-generation crystals produce intense green emission and a pronounced afterglow.

TUCSON ’25 ACQUISITIONS: ANDREW SILVER

By Andrew Silver · pp. 33–34

Andrew Silver showcases several mineral acquisitions: ruby crystals in matrix from Kragerø, Norway; gemmy sphalerite with calcite from the Empire State Zinc Mine at Balmat, New York; and apatite attributed by the dealer to Tanzania. The specimens are presented primarily through white-light and ultraviolet photographs, with the accompanying captions identifying localities, associated minerals, and illumination ranges. The contribution reflects the issue’s broader visual survey of recently acquired specimens and their varied collecting provenance.