Researchers have finally solved the mystery of the mineral hackmanite, which has puzzled scientists for over 120 years with its ability to glow in the dark.
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Hackmanite is a type of sodalite known for its tenebrescence (the ability to lose and slowly regain its color). In the dark, the mineral can glow pink, crimson, white or purple, and in bright light it becomes nondescript gray.
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The stone regains its color and glow after a long stay in the dark or under the influence of short-wave ultraviolet radiation. The best hackmanite is mined in Brazil, and in Russia it is found on the Kola Peninsula in the Khibiny Mountains.
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Hackmanite was first discovered in Greenland in 1896. Since then, scientists have tried to unravel the riddle of the stone’s unique properties. Finally, an international group of chemists, mineralogists, geologists, physicists and other scientists under the auspices of the University of Turku in Finland managed to understand the exact nature of the unique reaction. Their work is published in the magazine Chemistry of Materials.
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The researchers studied samples of hackmanite from Greenland, Canada, Afghanistan and Pakistan. They concluded that the glow is provided electron transfer titanium, which is part of the mineral. However, the titanium itself is not enough. The correct ratio of sulfur, potassium and iron is also required. The delicate interaction of these elements generates luminescence.
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Using this discovery, researchers will be able to create synthetic materials with similar properties. They will glow in the dark without any source of energy, and much longer than a natural mineral.
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