LARGE ARIZONA MULTI-COLOR FLUORESCENT. ...

Description

LARGE ARIZONA MULTI-COLOR FLUORESCENT
Near the Silver Bell Mine, Pima Co, Arizona
This sizeable 9¾ x 4½ x 3¼-inch (24.8 x 11.4 x 8.3 cm) fluorescent specimen presents a bright, glowing appearance under shortwave UV light. Albeit the colors are somewhat pastel in hue, it is nonetheless a striking piece since virtually all of it fluoresces in a wonderful variety of colors. It contains Willemite in an unusual white-fluorescing form that shows spotty phosphorescent 'afterglow'. The Willemite is scattered throughout a matrix of red-fluorescing Calcite and veins of Fluorite that glow purple under Short-Wave UV. On one side and the back of the specimen is a coating of "Caliche"; a carbonate deposit that results from weathering in desert environments. In this case the Caliche fluoresces a grayish white color under shortwave rays and phosphoresces as well, albeit for a much shorter time than the Willemite. Depending on your views regarding Caliche as a fluorescent mineral, this fine specimen can be described as either a three or a four color fluorescent. In any case, it is a fine addition to any collection. Offered at no reserve.

Provenance: Field collected by George Polman, ex. Hugh Ronemus Collection

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