Database of luminescent Minerals

SPINELLE

Chemical Formula: MgAl₂O₄

Familly: Oxides and hydroxides

Status: IMA-GP

Crystal System: Isometric

Mineral for Display: Yes

Luminescence:

Daylight Picture

Spinelle, Mogok, Burma;
Photo et col.: G. Barmarin

Long Waves Picture (365nm)

Spinelle, Mogok, Burma; Red UVLW
Photo et col.: G. Barmarin

Galerie de photos:

     To the gallery (10 images in the gallery)

Phosphorescence (in the common meaning of the term) seen by naked eye:

Thermoluminescence: Yes

Main Activator(s) and spectrum:

Most Common Activator: Cr³⁺

Other activators:            Mn²⁺ ,

Peaks in the spectrum (nm):

Cr³⁺ : lines at 676 (675), 686 (685), 698 (697), 708 (707), 712, 718 (717) nm
Mn²⁺ : broad band peaking at 550-612 nm 

  To the spectrum gallery (2 spectra in the gallery)

Comments on activators and spectra:

Activator: Cr³⁺ and possibly Mn²⁺ (broad band peaking at 612 nm or emissions bands with max from 550 to 620nm).

The fluorescence of spinel was studied as early as 1887 by De Boisbaudran who found a red glow in most specimens and some green fluorescence in a few.

Crookes plotted in 1887 the red fluorescence spectra of spinel and pointed out the particular sharp band at 685,7nm.

Nichols studied the cathodoluminescence of spinel in 1928.

Best Locality for luminescence(*):

• Mogok, Burma;
• An Phu, Lục Yên District, Yên Bái Province, Vietnam;

(*)Data are not exhaustive and are limited to the most important localities for fluorescence

Bibliographical Reference for luminescence:

• The Henkel Glossary of Fluorescent Minerals, Dr. Gerhard Henkel, Published by the FMS, 1989 ,
• Fluorescence: Gems and Minerals Under Ultraviolet Light, Manuel Robbins, 1994, Geoscience Press, ISBN 0-945005-13-X ,
• The World of Fluorescent Minerals, Stuart Schneider, Schiffer Publishing, 2006, ISBN 0-7643-2544-2 ,
• Luminescence Spectroscopy of Minerals and Materials, M. Gaft, R. Reisfeld, G. Panczer, Springer Editor, ISBN: 10 3-540-21918-8 ,
• Luminescent Spectra of Minerals, Boris S. Gorobets and Alexandre A. Rogojine, Moscow, 2002 ,
• Ultraviolet Light and Fluorescent Minerals, Th. Warren, S. Gleason, R. Bostwick, et E. Verbeek, 1995, ISBN 0-9635098-0-2 ,
• Luminescenza nel regno minerale, Guido Mazzoleni, fotografia Roberto Appiani, Libri Sandit, 2010, ISBN 978-88-95990-63-7 ,
• Handbook of Fluorescent Gems and Minerals, a practical guide for the gem and mineral collector, Jack de Ment, 1949 ,

Luminescence Reference on internet:

Images:

 

• Luc Yen, Vietnam: https://www.mindat.org/photo-803623.html

Mineralogical Reference on internet:

  http://www.mindat.org/show.php?name=Spinelle

  http://webmineral.com/data/Spinelle.shtml

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