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Leucophanite is a rare fluorescent mineral prized by collectors for its striking UV luminescence and rarity. This unique mineral, with the chemical formula (Na,Ca)₂BeSi₂(O,OH,F)₇, often contains cerium substitutions, making each specimen chemically distinctive.
Found in only a few locations globally—including Norway, Quebec, and Russia—massive habit leucophanite specimens suitable for display are known to come exclusively from Norway. These pieces are highly sought after for their aesthetic beauty and rarity on the mineral market.
Norwegian leucophanite typically appears in yellow, white, or greenish triclinic crystals, and is often associated with alkaline igneous complexes and pegmatites. The finest examples are bright and vividly fluorescent, exhibiting spectacular reactions under both midwave and shortwave UV light. Shortwave UV brings out brilliant yellow fluorescence from embedded zircon inclusions, enhancing their visual appeal for UV mineral collectors.
Discovered in the Langesundsfjord district of southern Norway in 1840, leucophanite derives its name from the Greek "leukos" (white) and "phanein" (to appear), referencing its common pale coloration.
Due to its rarity and limited geographic occurrence, high-quality leucophanite specimens are rarely available—especially in larger sizes. When they do surface, they are considered top-tier additions to any fluorescent mineral collection or museum-grade mineral display.
365nm UV light is often called "blacklight". Before the advent of longwave UV LEDs, blacklight fluorescent tubes, (the kinds used in hippie days to light up psychedelic posters) were the standard longwave UV light for our hobby. They were not very powerful but they did light a large area.
Enter 365nm UV LEDs
First, an animation showing the difference between the UV flashlight we recommend (365nm filtered UV flashlight) versus unfiltered 395nm UV flashlights we see many folks carrying around at shows. So. much. visible purple light. We selected a bunch of rocks as a demonstration. Took pictures of them under his flashlight without the filter and then with the filter.
A major component of rock collecting (for us) is simply getting out in nature. A buddy dragged us out to a very remote area here in middle Tennessee to hunt for fluorescent green agate. Since we consider ourselves pure "Glow Hounds" we weren't anticipating any glow rocks, just the beauty of the area, but we brought our UV lights anyway.
