Brazil

Brazil fluorescent minerals

The specimens shown at right are from The Castelihno Mine, Rio Grande de Sul, Brazil. The crystal portion of the specimens is calcite and has a clear to milky appearance (on a white to light tan matrix) in normal light. The specimen (light colored matrix) is reflecting the long wave ultraviolet light, in the middle image. The crystals in the middle image are fluorescing a light lavender to pink. The photos at the far right show a red-orange fluorescence under short wave ultraviolet light.

The next two rows of specimens are also from Rio Grande de Sul, Brazil. They are calcite with amethyst. The calcite under long wave ultraviolet light fluoresces a lavender to pink color. Under short wave the calcite fluoresces a red/orange. The amethyst is a light purple and does not fluoresce. The matrix is white to tan in color and also does not fluoresce. The purple color that you see in these images is the fluorescent lights reflecting off the light colored matrix.

Regular lighting

Long wave ultraviolet light

Short wave ultraviolet light