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Chris Clemens

Calcite Crystals with Internal Phantoms, Sweetwater Mine, Reynolds County, Missouri

This spectacular fluorescent specimen, from a classic midwestern location, consists of a large cluster of light tan/yellow colored, waxy textured, scalenohedral calcite crystals on a dolomite matrix with minor chalcopyrite. Each crystal shows a distinct, dark, internal phantom. This piece is from the Sweetwater Mine, Ellington, Viburnum Trend District, Reynolds Co., Missouri. As seen in the photographs, the calcite shows a beautiful bright pink fluorescent response under mid wave UV (302nm). Interestingly, the calcite is only dimly fluorescent red under short and long wave UV (not shown). the size of this specimen is 15.5 x 9.2 x 6.4 cm, 711 grams.

The above image shows the vivid pink/magenta fluorescent response of the calcite under mid wave UV (302 nm). The UV illumination was from behind the specimen to show the internal phantoms in each crystal.

The above pair of images show fluorescence under mid wave UV (302 nm), by incident illumination (left image) and backlighting (right image). Click on the above images for a larger view.

Same specimen shown under visible light, by incident illumination (left image) and backlighting (right image). Again, note the conspicuous internal phantoms within the calcite crystals. Click on the above images for a larger view.

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