Reviews
2.45" Fluorescent Willemite, Calcite, and Franklinite Sphere
This is a fascinating formation of willemite (red-brown), calcite (white), and franklinite (black), collected from the Sterling Mine in Sussex County, New Jersey. It has been shaped into a sphere and flawlessly polished to a glossy finish. Under shortwave ultraviolet light, the red-brown willemite crystals exhibit a stunning green fluorescence.
Willemite is a zinc silicate mineral that's a minor ore of zinc and is known for its fluorescence under ultraviolet light. In daylight, it can appear in many colors, including red, brown, tan, pink, black, white, gray, blue, yellow, orange, or shades of green. Under ultraviolet light, it displays a bright green fluorescence due to manganese 2+ activators in its chemical structure.
It was discovered in 1829 in the Belgian Vieille-Montagne mine. Armand Lévy was shown samples by a student at the university where he was teaching. Lévy named it after William I of the Netherlands.
It was discovered in 1829 in the Belgian Vieille-Montagne mine. Armand Lévy was shown samples by a student at the university where he was teaching. Lévy named it after William I of the Netherlands.
$305
SPECIES
Willemite, Calcite, and Franklinite
LOCATION
Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey
SIZE
2.45" diameter
CATEGORY
ITEM
#371127
