Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: chiralSPO on 09/03/2016 16:22:47

Title: What is this fluorescent mineral?
Post by: chiralSPO on 09/03/2016 16:22:47

I was recently given a rock specimen of unknown origin (pictures attached). It appears to be a mixture of at least two minerals. The major species presents an agglomeration of translucent-white hexagonal plate-like crystals between 2 to 8 mm in diameter, and 0.1-1 mm thick.

Interestingly, the material fluoresces orange weakly under 395 nm UV light. I don't know if the fluorescence is due to a minor impurity/dopant, or not...

Any ideas what it could be?

Title: Re: What is this fluorescent mineral?
Post by: chiralSPO on 09/03/2016 16:23:36

And here is the picture of it fluorescing under UV light (taken through a UV filter)

Title: Re: What is this fluorescent mineral?
Post by: RD on 09/03/2016 20:31:39

This specalist forum maybe worth a try ...

The Fluorescent Mineral Society ... http://uvminerals.org/fms/minerals