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 Patagonia by Andrés Oteiza 12–21
• The Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society Annual Show by Jim Herbold 22–23
• Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Huanzala Mine Specimens by Mike Crawford 24–25
• Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Calcite from Chenzhou by Paul Bordovsky 26
• Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Franklin Mine and Hokkaido Specimens by Simone Conti 27–28
• Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Barite, Danburite, and Other Specimens by Howie Green 29–31
• Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Fluorite from Mapimí and Italy by Glenn Waychunas 32–33
• Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Minerals from Norway, New York, and Tanzania by Andrew Silver 33–34

The Fluorescent Minerals of Broken Hill, NSW

By Eric von Werstak · pp. 1–7

Broken Hill’s long mining history and geology provide the setting for an updated survey of its fluorescent minerals. The article outlines the orebody and its oxidation zones, then records minerals including anglesite, apatite, calcite, cerussite, gypsum, marshite, mimetite, pyromorphite, smithsonite, sphalerite, and stolzite. Specimen descriptions note locality associations and observed responses under different UV wavelengths. The author emphasizes that many fluorescent examples come from the oxidized part of the lode and reflect secondary mineral formation or metal remobilization.

Hokkaidoite: A Comprehensive Introduction

By Captain G. Vella · pp. 8–11

Hokkaidoite, a newly approved organic mineral, is introduced through its discovery, chemistry, crystal habits, and Japanese localities. At Aibetsu it occurs with carpathite in hydrothermally altered andesite and cinnabar-bearing quartz veins; at Shikaoi and Shikaribetsu it is found as inclusions in opal, including dendritic growths. The article describes its blue-green or yellow-green UV response and the colorful fluorescence of associated opal. It also summarizes later confirmed Japanese occurrences, public museum displays, and restrictions on collecting specimens.

Fluorescent Calcite from Patagonia

By Andrés Oteiza · pp. 12–21

Distinctive calcite-bearing geodes found in Argentina’s Neuquén Province fluoresce red in longwave UV and show green outer zones under shortwave UV. The account follows their discovery near the El Choique and Colli Cura mines, in a setting of basalt and sedimentary rocks, and describes their associations with pink amethyst, chalcedony, opal, barite, and other minerals. The author recounts preliminary discussion of possible activators, including manganese for the calcite emission, while noting that specimen analyses are ongoing. Additional images show the geodes under multiple UV wavelengths.

The Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society Annual Show

By Jim Herbold · pp. 22–23

The Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society’s annual San Jose show brings together dealers, visitors, and fluorescent-mineral displays in a dedicated darkened room. The report describes the scale of the event and introduces cases displayed by Steve Scott, Steve Skala, Jon Roth, Bruce White, and Jim Herbold. Their collections feature worldwide specimens and examples from Sterling Hill, the Franklin Mill Site, Philipsburg, and Balmat, including calcite, willemite, hardystonite, clinohedrite, sphalerite, and asbestos-related minerals. Collector comments also share display and specimen-finding experiences.

Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Huanzala Mine Specimens

By Mike Crawford · pp. 24–25

Two specimens from the Huanzala Mine in Peru showcase unusual fluorescent associations. One is sphalerite with red and orange emissions; the discussion connects red fluorescence to possible copper-related activators and orange emission to manganese. The second combines calcite, fluorapatite, sphalerite, pyrite, and scattered scheelite grains. Calcite fluoresces red-orange across several UV wavelengths, while fluorapatite and scheelite show differing emissions. The author also notes a yellow fluorapatite response under a 405 nm laser and identifies dysprosium as its likely activator.

Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Calcite from Chenzhou

By Paul Bordovsky · p. 26

A calcite specimen from Chenzhou, Hunan Province, drew unusually broad attention after being shared with the fluorescent-mineral community. The author recounts the rapid response to its online image and the diverse interpretations viewers attached to the specimen’s triangular forms, including references to popular culture, spiritual traditions, and symbolic designs. The short feature focuses on the specimen’s visual impact and the range of meanings audiences projected onto it, alongside its presentation under shortwave UV and visible light.

Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Franklin Mine and Hokkaido Specimens

By Simone Conti · pp. 27–28

Several acquisitions highlight mineral associations from Franklin, New Jersey, and Hokkaido, Japan. A Franklin Mine specimen pairs cuspidine with calcite, willemite, and franklinite; cuspidine appears mustard-yellow under shortwave UV and pinkish under midwave UV. A turneaureite-and-calcite specimen shows the former’s bright orange response and the latter’s red glow. The selection also includes hokkaidoite grains in opal from Shikaribetsu, where green hokkaidoite emission contrasts with the opal’s multicolored fluorescence under longwave UV.

Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Barite, Danburite, and Other Specimens

By Howie Green · pp. 29–31

A group of Tucson acquisitions adds to the author’s collections of barite, danburite, and apatite. Specimens include fluorapatite with quartz from the Kami mine in Bolivia; barite and calcite from Sardinia that display afterglow; danburite with calcite from Charcas, Mexico; and calcite with fluorite from Mina Moscona, Spain. The account notes rare-earth activators proposed for danburite’s blue emission and uranyl ions for its green emission. Images compare specimens under UV illumination and white light.

Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Fluorite from Mapimí and Italy

By Glenn Waychunas · pp. 32–33

Red-fluorescing fluorite acquisitions include material from the Ojuela Mine at Mapimí, Mexico, and the Camissinone mine in Lombardy, Italy. The Mapimí specimen belongs to a recent find of transparent crystals with glassy faces, while the Italian specimen has unusual blue-fluorescing crystals over red-fluorescing crystals. The discussion references an earlier feature on red fluorescence in fluorite and describes the collector’s growing selection from multiple localities. Photographs show the specimens in visible light and under longwave UV.

Tucson ’25 Acquisitions: Minerals from Norway, New York, and Tanzania

By Andrew Silver · pp. 33–34

A selection of acquisitions includes ruby crystals in matrix from Kragerø, Norway; gemmy sphalerite with calcite from the Empire State Zinc Mine at Balmat, New York; and an apatite specimen represented by its dealer as coming from Tanzania. The Balmat specimen connects to the district’s known fluorescent zinc minerals, while the ruby and apatite provide contrasting examples from other localities. The page presents the specimens under longwave or midwave UV, with white-light views where indicated.