Fluorescent Afghanite Crystals and Pyrite on Calcite-Marble Matrix from Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Beautiful blue Afghanite crystals and pyrite on calcite/marble matrix. The afghanite brightly fluoresces with a very characteristic orange color under long wave UV (365 nm).

This piece is from the famous hand-dug mines at Sar-e-Sang in Badakshan, which have been continuously worked for 9,000 years (Mineralogical Record, Vol 45, No 3, 2014). Afghan minerals are more difficult to obtain after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

Location: Sar-e-Sang, Kokcha Valley, Badkhsan, Afghanistan

Size: 105 x 77 x 65 mm. 630 grams.