MSW1345: Scapolite (Marialite), Calcite, Phlogopite, Diopside from Afghanistan

Description

Scapolite (Marialite), Calcite, Phlogopite, Diopside, Blue Unknown
Badakshan, Afganistan
5” x 4" x 2”, 2lb 15 oz
This is one of the most incredible specimens we have offered in recent memory. We've made contact with a miner in the Afghan areas and have a supply of mine fresh material. The fluorescent activators have not been studied very much from this area. It's very unclear what is going on with most of the material from this locality, but as we get more material and discover new fluorescent minerals we will have them analyzed for proper IDs. But they sure do make for some confusing but amazingly beautiful fluorescent specimens. This piece (as most from Afghanistan) is best displayed using multiple wavelengths, and shows best under a combination of longwave, midwave and shortwave (fullwave - first picture), although it is very respectable under SW alone (second pic) - or even MW or LW alone.
There are many scapolite (var. marialite) crystals that are fluorescent a bright yellow LW and dimmer yellow SW.
The matrix appears to have a bright white fluorescing mineral that is suggested to perhaps be diopside. Under SW the calcite fluoresces a dark orange, and the diopside crystals fluoresce a bluish white. Under MW (only) there are areas of a strong blue fluorescence from an unknown mineral - this is one of the few examples of MW only fluorescence we have observed (several closeups of this area are shown at the bottom). Phlogopite is bright yellow under SW, shifting to a bright butterscotch color MW and even deeper LW (very few phlogopites have this multi-wave response). Midwave causes the calcite to pop very nicely. Longwave brings out the yellow color of the afghanite crystals. MW and LW bring out the bright yellow of the marialite very nicely.
If we were to display it under only one light, we would probably pick SW, preferably with a MW “kicker”.
Winning bidder: Make sure to right-click and print (or save) ID card located below for your records
Shipping and Other Information
All packages will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail.
International customs fees, import duties and restrictions are the responsibility of the buyer.
Pictures and Representations:
Specimen colors reproduced as accurately as my camera and monitor allow (and are subject to the way your monitor displays colors). Sizes are approximate.
Please use dollar bill behind specimen and actual measurements to form a mental picture of the size.
Measurements show the widest dimension of each side.
Some images may be enlarged to show detail. Refer to sizing pic for proportional size
Questions? Contact me using Ebay's "Ask a question"