Fluorescent minerals

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Description

Minerals that have the unique physical property to absorb light and one wavelength and instantaneously release it at a different wavelength, resulting in a temporary color change to the eye of the human observer. Only about 15% of minerals are able to fluoresce. The fluorescence is usually due to a cation activator, such as: tungsten, molybdenum, lead, boron, titanium, manganese, uranium, and chromium, but some rare earth elements are also able to contribute to the phenomenon. Most minerals fluoresce a single color, but some may have multiple colors; for example calcite can fluoresce red, blue, white, pink, green and orange.

Synonyms and Related Terms

pyrope (deep red to black); almandine (deep red to black); spessartine (red to brown); grossularite (green); grossular (colorless); carbuncle; andradite (wine red); uvarovite (emerald green); tsavorite (Green); rhodolite (pale red to purple); hessonite (golden); topazolite; demantoid; melanite; Uralian emeralds; Greek anthrax; Granat (Deut.); granate (Esp.); grenat (Fr.); granaat (Ned.); granada (Port.); granatus (Lat.)

Other Properties

Isometric crystal system with dodecahedron and trapezohedron habits.

Luster = vitreous to resinous. Fracture = conchoidal or uneven. Streak = colorless to white

Fluorescence = none (except green ones which may give weak yellow-orange colors)

Mineral Composition Visible color Fluorescent color
Agate PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Apatite PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Barite PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Calcite PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Cerrusite PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Chalcedony PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Corundum PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Dolomite PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Fluorite PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Quartz SiO23 colorless to white red
Rhyolite PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Scapolite PbCO3 colorless to white yellowish
Willemite PbCO3 colorless to white green

Raman

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Additional Information

J. Ogden, Jewelry of the Ancient World, Rizzoli International Publications, New York, 1982.

Comparisons

Properties of Common Abrasives

Properties of Common Gemstones

Natural and Simulated Diamonds

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