This rock contains a beautiful assemblage of rare fluorescent minerals from the remote Dara-i-Pioz massif in Tajikistan. Only reactive under short wave UV (254 nm), this rock contains bright blue-white fluorescent zektzerite and red fluorescent microcline feldspar. There is also an unknown green fluorescent mineral present that is likely uranyl-activated. The marble-like matrix is also dimly fluorescent, and provides a contrasting, neutral-colored background to the more brightly fluorescent minerals. There are also embedded crystals of black, non-fluorescent neptunite present. The size of this specimen is 57 x 32 x 23 mm, and it weighs 42 grams.
Although specimen collecting is relatively easy in the alkaline rocks of the Dara-i-Pioz massif, it is located in a very remote area of northern Tajikistan that is best accessed by helicopter.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c24caa_96374b1ff9b744c5ac75900d3c3b3855~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_152,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c24caa_96374b1ff9b744c5ac75900d3c3b3855~mv2.jpg)
The above two images show the a and b sides of the specimen under short wave UV. Zektzerite shows a bright blue-white response and microcline fluoresces red. The green fluorescent mineral has not been identified. Note that the matrix also shows dim to moderate fluorescence.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c24caa_32682fc0b3eb4e6e8d8c800e319a2969~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_77,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c24caa_32682fc0b3eb4e6e8d8c800e319a2969~mv2.jpg)
Visible light photograph of same side as shown in the upper short wave UV image above. The dark crystals are non-fluorescent neptunite.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c24caa_d425d9cf7b26456aa10eef16905875a7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_76,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c24caa_d425d9cf7b26456aa10eef16905875a7~mv2.jpg)
Visible light photograph of same side as shown in the lower short wave UV image above.