Scapolite (Marialite), Calcite, Diopside, Minor Phlogopite - Afghanistan

*Note: Please make sure to right-click and print (or save) ID card located in the photo gallery for your records*

Slightly tenebrescent, certainly not as strong a color change as sodalite (hackmanite) but still noticeable.

Deeply tenebrescent scapolite pieces have been offered on the market but the general consensus is that they have been irradiated. This piece is the first we’ve come across that we are sure has not been irradiated. It comes directly from mine run material and was part of a 10lb+ boulder. Has not been irradiated.

A nice specimen with Marialite (scapolite) crystals, fluorescent a bright yellow longwave, on a calcite matrix. The marialite is yellow under all wavelengths, brightest longwave 365nm. Calcite is very bright under midwave, dimmer under shortwave. The blue under MW is possibly gonnardite. We prefer displaying this specimen under shortwave with a midwave kicker - as that makes each corresponding mineral pop, but they are respectable under any wavelength.

These pieces are fresh mine-run material. They are not acid washed like most of the specimens found on the market. The sellers in Pakistan use acid to eat away the calcite, revealing crystals embedded in the matrix. This results in an artificial appearance and often eats away at other minerals.