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Hydrozincite and lead

This hydrozincite comes from the Minas de Altaiz, in the Picos de Europa National Park in the Norts of Spain. The fluorescence is due to some lead replacing zinc. Lead often causes fluorescence in the ultra-violet to blue region of the spectrum. It does so also in Bohemian crystal glass, to which is added to create a sparkle (high refractive index). I added a fluorescing "bonbonière" in Bohemian glass to prove my point...

Specimen and "bonbonière" seen under SW-UV.

Source: Fluorescent Minerals Workgroup MKA

Typical light blue fluorescence caused by lead.
Fine example of Bohemian lead-crystal, superbly cut.

The violet blue fluorescence under SW-UV is caused by the lead in the glass

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