Rare Fluorescent Sphere from a Classic Swedish Locality
This 32mm {1-1/4"} polished sphere is made from Powellite sourced from the famous Långban Mine in Sweden, a location celebrated among collectors for its wide range of rare minerals. The lot weighs approx. 2 ounces.
Under shortwave UV light, this sphere shows pale yellow white fluorescent spots, creating a subtle but beautiful effect that makes it perfect for UV displays. In daylight, the sphere displays soft gray and and brown tones with natural variations from the mineral’s formation.
🔹 Details:
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Material: Powellite
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Locality: Långban, Sweden
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Size: 32mm diameter (~1.25")
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UV Reaction: Pale yellow-white spots under SW UV
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Finish: polished sphere
🌌 Why Collect Powellite?
Powellite is highly sought after for its fluorescence, and specimens from Långban are particularly prized due to their rarity and the mine’s historic status. Spheres are perfect for collectors, educational displays, or unique décor.
🔷 About Powellite from Långban, Sweden
General Overview
Powellite is a calcium molybdate mineral (CaMoO₄) that is typically best known from a few major localities, such as India and California. But specimens from Långban, Sweden are unusual and sought after because Långban is one of the most mineralogically diverse deposits in the world, famous for producing over 270 different mineral species, many of them rare or type-locality finds.
Appearance
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Daylight Color: In Långban material, powellite often appears pale yellow, cream, or even slightly grayish. It can occur as granular aggregates, crystalline crusts, or fine-grained masses within a calcite or skarn matrix.
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UV Fluorescence: The hallmark of powellite is its bright yellow fluorescence under shortwave UV light, sometimes with a hint of greenish tint. In some Långban pieces, the glow can appear softer or patchier depending on associated minerals.
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Associated Minerals: At Långban, powellite can be found with minerals like calcite, hausmannite, manganite, and others unique to the deposit.
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Collectibility
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Rarity: Powellite is not common at Långban, and when found, it’s typically in small specimens or mixed with other matrix minerals.
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Historic Locality: Because Långban is no longer actively producing material in any significant quantity, specimens from there are becoming increasingly collectible.
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Fluorescence Appeal: Its strong UV reaction makes it highly desirable for fluorescent mineral collectors.