Canadian Lightning Storm- Aragonite Bolts from the Long Lake Zinc Mine

Aragonite "lightning bolts" fluoresce bright blue/white on this spectacular specimen from the Long Lake Zinc Mine, Olden Township, near Parham, Frontenac Co., Ontario, Canada. Under visible light, this piece looks like an unimpressive chunk of white marble, but under long wave UV a storm of blue white bolts dominate the display. This specimen is at its best however, when viewed under short wave UV, showing not only the bright blue/white aragonite lightning bolts, but also a beautiful mix of pink/orange fluorescent calcite, spots of yellow glowing chondrodite and blue dots of diopside. The size of this piece is 11.0 x 8.0 x 5.5 cm, and it weighs 610 grams.

In the photograph above, bright blue/white aragonite lightning bolts are seen under long wave UV (365 nm).

This rock is at its best under short wave UV (254 nm). Calcite fluoresces pink/orange, spots of chondrodite glow yellow, dots of diopside show a blue response, and the aragonite lightning bolts fluoresce bright blue/white.

Same specimen shown under visible light.