UV Lights and Fluorescent Minerals - a fun side hobby to metal detecting !

Here we go with 3 more interesting samples!


Here are 3 SW 254nm fluorescent mineral specimens.

First is a dark tan calcite from the Santa Barbara Mine, Mun. de Santa Barbara, Chihuahua State, Mexico. First image is in natural light. The specimen is about 3 in. long in the horizontal direction. The second image shows its nice red fluorescence. IKT used 2 4-watt lanps to get the nice intense color, one from the right and the other from the upper left.

The second specimen is a butt end slab of Eucryptite with minor spots of Scheelite. It is from the Xianghualing Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu County, Chenzhou, Hunan, China. The specimen looks rather like one of KT's friends “gray rocks” in natural light in the first picture, but sure makes a nice showing of red eucryptite and blue-white specks of scheelite in the SW image! Again, 2 4-watt SW 254nm lamps, one on the right and the other on the left of the image.

Finally, here are a couple of t/n sized pieces, both in a 1 in. X 1 in. box. Another non-descript gray rock in natural light, but it lights up like a torch in SW 254nm. This piece was so bright His MajestyI had to back off and use only 1 4-watt light to enable me to get any kind of a photograph of its fluorescence!

Enjoy!
 

Attachments

  • Calcite, Santa Barbara Mine, Mun. de Santa Barbara  Chihuahua State, Mexico, FOV=4 in., natura...JPG
    Calcite, Santa Barbara Mine, Mun. de Santa Barbara Chihuahua State, Mexico, FOV=4 in., natura...JPG
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  • Calcite, Santa Barbara Mine, Mun. de Santa Barbara  Chihuahua State, Mexico, FOV=4 in., SW 254nm.JPG
    Calcite, Santa Barbara Mine, Mun. de Santa Barbara Chihuahua State, Mexico, FOV=4 in., SW 254nm.JPG
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  • Eucryptite  & Scheelite, Xianghualing Mine, Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hu...JPG
    Eucryptite & Scheelite, Xianghualing Mine, Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hu...JPG
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  • Eucryptite  & Scheelite, Xianghualing Mine, Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hu...JPG
    Eucryptite & Scheelite, Xianghualing Mine, Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hu...JPG
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  • Scheelite, Three Musketeers Mine, Granite Wash Mtns., La Paz Co., AZ, FOV=1 in., natural light.JPG
    Scheelite, Three Musketeers Mine, Granite Wash Mtns., La Paz Co., AZ, FOV=1 in., natural light.JPG
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  • Scheelite, Three Musketeers Mine, Granite Wash Mtns., La Paz Co., AZ, FOV=1 in., SW 254nm.JPG
    Scheelite, Three Musketeers Mine, Granite Wash Mtns., La Paz Co., AZ, FOV=1 in., SW 254nm.JPG
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A piece of KT's Royal Jewelry......

KT enjoys wearing bolo ties and has many of them, but this one is special, principally because KT collected the stone from its type locality in Arkansas, sliced it and made two cabochons, matching pairs from both sides of the saw cut. He made both of them into bolo ties, kept one, and gave the other to his good friend, Charles Milton of Silver Springs, MD, who was a personal friend of Hugh D. Miser, the man the mineral was named after! After Charle's passing, one of his son's asked if His Majesty wanted it back, and KT said if you like it, you keep it. Daniel Milton was most appreciative!

So much for its background. This is the bolo tie that KT kept. And today, KT realized that both miserite and wollastonite are listed as fluorescent minerals, so it was examined and KT took these photographs.

The first picture is in natural light and shows black non-fluorescent pyroxene in the lower 1/3 of the cabochon, pink miserite in the middle, and gray wollastonite in the upper 1/3 of the cabochon. The cabochon measures 30 X 40 mm, a standard size for a bolo tie mount. The second picture shows the miserite fluorescing a pale yellowish white in SW 254nm light, while the wollastonite is not fluorescent. The third picture shows the cabochon in LW 365nm, and the miserite fluoresces a mottled gray and pale blue, and the wollastonite has a pale orangish color.

One of KT's Treasures! Enjoy!
 

Attachments

  • Miserite, wollastonite & Pyroxene cab, NWP, PSS, Garland Co., AR FOV=1.75 in., LW 365nm.JPG
    Miserite, wollastonite & Pyroxene cab, NWP, PSS, Garland Co., AR FOV=1.75 in., LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Miserite, wollastonite & Pyroxene cab, NWP, PSS, Garland Co., AR FOV=1.75 in., SW 254nm.JPG
    Miserite, wollastonite & Pyroxene cab, NWP, PSS, Garland Co., AR FOV=1.75 in., SW 254nm.JPG
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  • Miserite, wollastonite & Pyroxene cab, NWP, PSS, Garland Co., AR FOV=1.75 in., natural light.JPG
    Miserite, wollastonite & Pyroxene cab, NWP, PSS, Garland Co., AR FOV=1.75 in., natural light.JPG
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KT was excited to get the first featured specimen, Weeksite from its type locality, Autunite No.8 Claim, Topaz Mtn., Topaz Range, Juab Co., UT, USA. It is one of several U-bearing species recently purchased. and waiting for arrival! The first photo is in natural light....the specimen is about 2.5" long so the pictures are FOV= 3". A nice miniature. Not very obvious, but the yellow "staining" on the rock is the weeksite. But is spectacularly fluorescent. The 2nd picture was taken with SW 254 nm....KT took another picture with 2 SW lamps but the fluorescence was so strong it wiped out the camera exposure sensors! So that image was discarded. The third picture is in LW 365 and KT had to hold the UVBeast torch some 3 feet away and off center to get that image, otherwise it would have been a total camera exposure wipeout also.

The second specimen consists of some strontianite crystalline blebs in a cavity in dolostone from Mackville qy., N of Appleton, Outagamie Co., Wisconsin. The matrix is about 1.5 inches across and the cavity about 0.5 inch across. Both pictures were taken at 10X with the Royal Chinese "toy" USB led microscope. First picture is in natural light. And the second picture is in filtered LW 365nm. To the eye, the strontianite fluoresces a pastel creamy white, so that is what KT color corrected the image to look like.

Anyway, these will soon be cataloged and put in Royal Fluorescent Mineral Cabinet!

Enjoy!
 

Attachments

  • Weeksite on matrix, Autunite No. 8 Claim, Topaz Mtn, Topaz Range, Juab Co., UT, FOV=3 in., nat...JPG
    Weeksite on matrix, Autunite No. 8 Claim, Topaz Mtn, Topaz Range, Juab Co., UT, FOV=3 in., nat...JPG
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  • Weeksite on matrix, Autunite No. 8 Claim, Topaz Mtn, Topaz Range, Juab Co., UT, FOV=3 in., SW ...JPG
    Weeksite on matrix, Autunite No. 8 Claim, Topaz Mtn, Topaz Range, Juab Co., UT, FOV=3 in., SW ...JPG
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  • Weeksite on matrix, Autunite No. 8 Claim, Topaz Mtn, Topaz Range, Juab Co., UT, FOV=3 in., LW ...JPG
    Weeksite on matrix, Autunite No. 8 Claim, Topaz Mtn, Topaz Range, Juab Co., UT, FOV=3 in., LW ...JPG
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  • Strontianite blebs on dolostone, Mackville qy., N of Appleton, Outagamie Co., WI, 10X, natural...jpg
    Strontianite blebs on dolostone, Mackville qy., N of Appleton, Outagamie Co., WI, 10X, natural...jpg
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  • Strontianite blebs on dolostone, Mackville qy., N of Appleton, Outagamie Co., WI, 10X, LW 365nm.jpg
    Strontianite blebs on dolostone, Mackville qy., N of Appleton, Outagamie Co., WI, 10X, LW 365nm.jpg
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Vlad taught KT something concerning the t/n images and full sized images. I am trying that out on this post!

Two new fluorescent mineral specimens arrived today in the Castles Royal Mailbox.

The first pictured is a specimen of Opal, variety Hyaline from Monok, Borsod-Abauj Zemplen County, Hungary. The first picture is in natural light. A US dime is in the image for scale. The second image is taken of it in SW 245nm light (a 4 watt lamp), and the third image is taken of it in LW 365nm light. Note a slight difference in the shade of green in the two different wavelengths.

The second pictured specimen is of Hydrozincite from the Argentariera Mine, Bellumo Province, Italy. Again a US dime in the image for scale. The first picture is in natural light, and the second picture was taken using two 4-watt SW 254nm lamps, one on the right side and the other from 90 degrees below (on the south, if the first is on the east!). A specimen rich in this secondary zinc mineral!

Also, for field use the afore mentioned 4 watt light does not quite cut it, so yesterday evening, KT broke open His Royal Piggy Bank and bought a new portable 11 watt unit, costing ~ $200, with shipping and accessories (charger, etc.). So when it arrives, His Highness will see how well it works for pictures also! :thumbsup: :woot:

Opal-An, var. Hyaline, Monok, Borsod-Zemplen Co., Hungary, FOV=2.5 in., natural light.JPG
Opal-An, var. Hyaline, Monok, Borsod-Zemplen Co., Hungary, FOV=2.5 in., SW 254nm.JPG
Opal-An, var. Hyaline, Monok, Borsod-Zemplen Co., Hungary, FOV=2.5 in., LW 365nm.JPG

Hydrozincite, Argentariera Mine, Belluno Province, Italy, FOV= 3.5 in., natural light.JPG
Hydrozincite, Argentariera Mine, Belluno Province, Italy, FOV= 3.5 in., SW 254nm.JPG
 
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This specimen caused KT to have to do some research on both Mindat.org and elsewhere! First, KT's personal Royal Efforts. His Majesty spotted this piece on eBay at least 3 weeks ago, and wanted it badly as it displayed a texture which He was most interested in while in university, Gosh over 50 years ago! HA HA. Well, someone outbid me and I figured it is gone as it sold. Then a couple of days later I get an email from the seller saying it had been relisted if His Majesty was still interested. And the relisted price had dropped a bit, so KT put in a bid for what my high bid was before, held my breath for 4 days, and won it!

About the specimen itself, it is a nearly half inch thick slab of coarse grained calcite, zincite, tephroite, and franklinite, from Franklin Mine, Sussex Co., NJ. KT is excited to see it fluoresce because He was interested in the texture of the willemite in this specimen and that it is mostly confined to the mineral tephroite.

KT refers you to the following article in American Mineralogist, V 70, pgs. 568-575, 1983 by Carl A. Francis, New Data on the Forsterite-Tephroite Series. Tephroite is the Manganese end member within the Olivine Group. Francis worked on Tephroite from the well known zinc deposits of Sterling Hill and Franklin, NJ. He found that Zinc-bearing olivines occur in the metamorphosed Zn-Mg-Fe deposits there. Individual crystals of Tephroite contain oriented lamellae of willemite and he considered that strong evidence of exsolution origin for the willemite of that association. He also found that Tephroite originally contained ~20 vol. % Zn2SiO4 components.

Exsolution as defined is a process whereby an initially homogenous solid solution (a crystal, KT) separates into 2 or more distinct crystalline phases (minerals, KT) without change to the bulk composition (chemistry, KT). (Source: AGI, Mindat.org). No addition or deletion of material is necessary. It is a process whereby a mineral that formed at high temperatures will separate mechanically into two distinct minerals, even when it is a solid. Why does this happen? Because at high temperatures, the lattice structure of the initial mineral is more open and can accommodate variously sized atoms and cations, but as the mineral cools, the structure collapses, and those cations and atoms that are now too large to stay in that structure, so they separate and form a different mineral. When you look at the overall chemistry, there is no change!

We see this most commonly in the Feldspar Group, particularly the plagioclases (perthites and antiperthites) and in microcline (as tartan patterns in said minerals), but it is also known to occur in high temperature ilmenite where the final two minerals are magnetite and hematite. Also, well known from the change of high temperature Leucite to a mixture of nepheline and k-feldspar. This is for me the first time I have seen it in tephroite as that mineral is pretty scarce worldwide. This specimen is from the type locality (TL) for tephroite.

Anyway, here are a series of photographs, the first two with a US dime for size comparison. The gray matrix is calcite, the black opaque is franklinite (TL), the orangish red is zincite, and the brown blebs are tephroite in the first image. Second picture shows the specimens response to SW 245nm light....calcite varies from orange to yellowish, and willemite is green.

The second set of images was taken at 10X with my USB Chinese led toy microscope and the first picture in natural light shows a homogenous appearing coarse grain of tephroite set in calcite. But the second picture of this set shows linear streaks and sets of fluorescent green willemite within the same grain. Again the lamp is SW 245nm. The willemite is either as thin streaks or veinlets and as apparent fracture fillings within the tephroite grain. Very little of the willemite is within or cutting through the other minerals present...as revealed in the 2nd image of the set.

Hope you find this info and specimen as interesting as I do! HA HA
Catching up on the recent specimens KT !

All seem neat indeed, this one seemed unusual in having green, orange, red, and yellow all in the same specimen !

Sure you don't have to build an extension onto your "museum" to have enough room ? :lol:
 
Catching up on the recent specimens KT !

All seem neat indeed, this one seemed unusual in having green, orange, red, and yellow all in the same specimen !

Sure you don't have to build an extension onto your "museum" to have enough room ? :lol:
Yes, it is somewhat unusual and the present fad in collecting fluorescent minerals is to find multiple color combinations in a single specimen. Usually the specimens are too high priced for KT, but this one was worth the extra few bucks KT had to pay.
 
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Also, for field use the afore mentioned 4 watt light does not quite cut it, so yesterday evening, KT broke open His Royal Piggy Bank and bought a new portable 11 watt unit, costing ~ $200, with shipping and accessories (charger, etc.). So when it arrives, His Highness will see how well it works for pictures also! :thumbsup: :woot:

His Highness realized a mistake in this post….the price of the unit was not $200, but instead with taxes and accesories comes in at $102, and add $48 for the cost of 6 rechargeable D cell batteries and their charger. The unit takes 3 D cells, so KT purchased 6 to always have a spare set available. Just wanted to correct that error!🗿‼️
 
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Two fluorescent specimens arrived in the Royal Mailbox today!


The first is calcite from Sanmin, Jingxi subdistrict, Sanyuan District, Fujian Province, China. KT is learning a lot about how political regions are set up in China….HA HA. Anyway, the first picture is in natural light and yes the crystals are pale pink. FOV=2.5 inches. Next is a picture in SW 254nm, and KT used two 4 watt lamps for the exposure, one on the right and the other on the top left. The third picture is of the same specimen with the Royal LW 365nm lamp and it had to be held about 4 feet away as not to wash out the camera exposure meter. The camera sees a bit more yellow that the naked eye. To KT's Royal Eye, the specimen looks more orangish red than yellow orange!


The second specimen was a cabinet sized piece of aragonite, var. flos ferri, on pectolite matrix from the Upper New St. Quarry, Paterson, Passaic Co., New Jersey. His Majesty thinks this quarry has been closed for a long time….just HIs Royal Speculation. Anyway, KT decided to trim off some of the matrix to make a more symmetrical aragonite specimen, and was rewarded with a nice second specimen of fl. pectolite (more below). The first picture is in natural light and has a US quarter for scale in the image. The second image is in LW 365nm and again the lamp was held about 3 feet away to take the picture. The second picture is in SW 245nm and again His Majesty used two 4 watt SW lamps, essentially in the same position as above. KT likes the SW image for it is very true to color.

Finally, the Pectolite specimen from the same New Jersey quarry as the aragonite. A US quarter in the image for size scale. The first image is in natural light, and the second is in LW 365nm. The pectolite had little to no response in SW 254nm. The LW lamp was held 2 feet away for the second image.

His Majesty hopes you enjoy this post!

Calcite, Sanming, Sanyuan, Fujian, China, FOV=2.5 in., natural light.JPG
Calcite, Sanming, Sanyuan, Fujian, China, FOV=2.5 in., SW 254nm.JPG
Calcite, Sanming, Sanyuan, Fujian, China, FOV=2.5 in., LW 365nm.JPG
Aragonite, Upper New St. Qy., Passaic Co., NJ, US qtr for scale, natural light.JPG
Aragonite, Upper New St. Qy., Passaic Co., NJ, US qtr for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
Aragonite, Upper New St. Qy., Passaic Co., NJ, US qtr for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
Pectolite, Upper New St. Qy., Passaic Co., NJ, natural light.JPG
Pectolite, Upper New St. Qy., Passaic Co., NJ, LW 365.JPG
 
For those following this thread, here is KT’s report on the Ultraviolet Tools LLC Model M101HO (High Output) – 11 watt SW/LW UV Lamp. Comes with SW bulb installed, and a LW bulb, packed separately, which can replace the SW bulb when you want to use the unit as a LW lamp. See all the pictures below.

This lamp does NOT come with batteries! Uses 3 standard D cell batteries available anywhere, but His Majesty opted to purchase 6 NiCad rechargeable batteries and a multi-use charger off of eBay. The charger will take 4 batteries at a time, and has a variety of features, including a discharge feature and auto charge to prevent memory problems in this type of battery. It also can recharge other size NiCad batteries including AAA, AA, C, D and even 9 volt batteries! The approximate cost for the 6 D cell batteries and the charger was $42, including tax and shipping. Note: you must have a USB port available, either on a computer or on a power strip to plug in the charger….as it does not run on 120V house power.

The length of the unit is ~ 10.75” X 2” thick and X 3” wide. Weighs in, with batteries, at 588 grams/1.3 pounds. The filter window is 6” long X 3/4” wide, and the LW & SW tubes are 6” in length.

Other features which are shown in the photos…..a 3 way sliding switch, middle position is off, one way turns on UV lamp, other way turns on flashlight bulb on end (see picture)….in a semi dark room, the flashlight is reasonably good, but not as good as a dedicated flashlight. However, on a moonless night, it would be fine to use to walk around on a dump, outcrop, or on a path. Likely His Majesty would wear a headlamp, leaving both hands free anyway, but this would be fine in a pinch. It is a handy feature and not available on many portable field lamps. Also has a strap style carry handle, but not long enough to sling over your shoulder. You might be able to wear it around your neck when adjusted all the way out, leaving both hands free to work with a hammer or rocks you are looking at.

Extras: What KT purchased included both a clear pair of UV blocking glasses AND a 10 mineral assortment of fluorescent, both LW and SW, miniature specimens. And the LW bulb. Total cost including shipping and taxes came to $102.00….KT feels this is very reasonable because the SW Triple 4-watt unit I have cost His Majesty $140, plus added shipping! Remember this new unit is 11-watts.

KT has tested it out on the SW portion of the Royal Collection and it does well at a distance of ~ 1 foot for strongly fluorescent minerals like Willemite and Calcite from Sterling Hill Mine, New Jersey. The weaker fluorescing SW minerals respond brighter than with His 4-watt lamps, one being the Triple mentioned above and the other being a UV Products lamp that is ancient (bought about 60 years ago!), at any given distance. The UV Products lamp had a car rechargeable battery pack that bit the dust some 50 years ago and was a hassle to carry in the field, due to its weight. At 1.3 pounds, this unit will be easy to carry.

KT now has a high wattage UVBeast 365nm flashlight, the Triple SW 4-watt unit, and this unit now to carry with Me for night investigations. He just purchased, but has not yet received, a 4 pistol hard plastic carrying case with foam inserts that these three lights and their recharged spare batteries will fit in. That will be The Royal Transportation Case. His Majesty likes to visit various local rock club shows within a half days Chariot ride of Little Rock….so that means the Mountain Home, AR, Show, the Memphis, TN, Show, the Jacksonville, MS, Show and the Tallequah, OK, Show, aside from giving UV demonstrations at our local club show.

If you are interested in a decent SW field lamp at a reasonable price, KT recommends you investigate this company and their units. I am not implying that this is equal to any of the high priced display case units, but for field use for a SW lamp, it seems to His Majesty to be a good option for anyone with limited funds. If KT had found this unit before He came across the 4-watt Triple SW, He likely would have not bought that 4-watt unit!

UV Tools Model M101HO , showing carry strap.JPG
UV Tools Model M101HO SW bulb, filter removed.JPG
UV Tools Model M101HO SW bulb, view of filter with bulb on.JPG
UV Tools Model M101HO, showing flashlight on.JPG
UV Tools Model M101HO SW bulb, 3 position switch.JPG
UV Tools Model M101HO , battery port.JPG
 
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New arrivals in the Royal Mailbox today!

A couple of these were purchased by His Majesty and the others were gifted….Me thinks some of these dealers are getting to know KT, due to his frequent purchases! :laughing:

Anyway, we start off today with Norbergite in Calcite(Franklin Limestone Fm.). This specimen is from the Franklin Quarry, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ. US dime for scale. First picture is natural light, second picture shows the norbergite response to SW 254nm UV, and the third image shows the calcite matrix’s response to LW 365nm light. The calcite does not fluoresce in the SW, and the norbergite has no response to the LW.

The next set of pictures are of Fluorapatite in a matrix of Magnetite. Again a US dime for scale. The second picture shows the fluorapatite in SW 254nm and the third picture shows its response in LW 365nm. Both look pinkish orange (we used to say flesh colored, until that became politically incorrect!) KT is old enough to remember the flesh crayon in the large box! HA HA The original specimen was one large piece with the fluorapatite confined to ½ the specimen, so His Majesty took a hammer and trimmed it down, resulting in a hand specimen, a miniature, and a T/N. Trimming removed about ½ the size and about 2/3rds the weight. Now KT has a couple of pieces to trade at some time!

The 3rd fluorescent specimen is of Calcite travertine from the National Limestone Qy. #2, Lime Ridge, Mount Pleasant Mills, Snyder Co., PA. The first image is in natural light, and the second picture shows its response to LW 365nm. The light vs. dark is typical for travertine, the less responsive “dirtier” banding being due to the incorporation of soil during formation.

And the 4th and final specimen is Willemite in garnet, var. Andradite, as matrix, with some Hardystonite and minor Calcite, from the Franklin Mining District, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ. The first image is in natural light with a US quarter for scale. The second image is of the SW 254nm response, showing the Willemite (green), Hardystonite (blue), and sparse Calcite (red). Since only the Willemite shows any response to LW 365nm, I did not bother with including an image.

Enjoy!

Norbergite & Calcite, Franklin Qy., Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime, natural light.JPG
Norbergite & Calcite, Franklin Qy., Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime, SW 254nm.JPG
Norbergite & Calcite, Franklin Qy., Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime, LW 365nm.JPG
Fluorapatite in magnetite, Thomas Edison Fe Mine, Sparta Mtn, near Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., NJ,...JPG
Fluorapatite in magnetite, Thomas Edison Fe Mine, Sparta Mtn, near Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., NJ,...JPG
Fluorapatite in magnetite, Thomas Edison Fe Mine, Sparta Mtn, near Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., NJ,...JPG

Travertine, Nat'l LS Qy., Lime Ridge, Mount Pleasant Mills, Snyder Co., PA, US dime, natural l...JPG
Travertine, Nat'l LS Qy., Lime Ridge, Mount Pleasant Mills, Snyder Co., PA, US dime, LW 365nm.JPG
Willemite in garnet, var. andradite, minor calcite & Hardysonite, Franklin Mining District, Fr...JPG
Willemite in garnet, var. andradite, minor calcite & Hardysonite, Franklin Mining District, Fr...JPG
 
Rhodizite, a truly scarce fluorescent mineral!

A pretty scarce mineral, Rhodizite is a Potassium Cesium Aluminum Boroberylium Silicate and is isometric in crystal habit. This crystal shows almost equidimensional cubic and octahedral faces, and at first glance might be confused with typical micro quartz! The crystal is 3.5 mm across. There are 17 known localities, 1 in Wisconson, USA, 2 in Sweden, and 15 in Madagascar. This specimen is from the Ampasagona Pegmatite, Andrembeson, Betafo, Madagascar.

In natural light to the eye, the crystal has a very pale yellow tint, but in the natural light image, it appears colorless to the microscope image sensor. It displays an atypical lack of response to SW 254nm, usually being very pale yellow, but the second image shows its response, as a very pale yellow to LW 365nm. The blue coloration in the LW image is reflection from a crystal face of the blue UV light, and not fluorescence.


If you pull up Mindat.org and search for this mineral, the 2nd picture in the upper entry page, shows a crystal from Madagascar looking very much like this one.


Anyway, KT likes these images! This is a recent purchase from the listings on e-rocks.com, to which His Majesty is a recent subscriber.
Rhodizite xl, Ampasagona Pegm., Andrembeson, Betafo, Madagascar, 3.5 mm, natural light.jpg
Rhodizite xl, Ampasagona Pegm., Andrembeson, Betafo, Madagascar, 3.5 mm, LW 365nm.jpg
 
WARNING: The next 3 posts are picture heavy! KT found that 10 is the max. # of files attachable, so He continues posting the additional images as thumbnails until they are all shown!

A couple of posts back, I sent out information concerning the new SW UV Lamp I had purchased….the UV Tools Model M101HO 11-watt unit. And I mentioned it came with a set of 10 sample specimens. Of the 10, 9 are nice, but one…a few small selenite roses from Mexico were not worth photographing and in fact, KT threw them away. They were somewhat edge bruised as will happen when not individually wrapped AND there are much better examples in the Royal Collection.

Anyway, here are the remaining 9 specimens, both in natural and UV light, either SW 254nm or LW 365nm.

KT is not going through the entire listing as they are all identified with location info in the photo titles. Just click on any thumbnail to see the full sized image!

At some future time, when His Majesty finds a young person who is VERY interested in fluorescent minerals, He will gift them this starter set to get them started! But this is not to say that this set is not reasonably nice for what it is. And KT did have fun photographing the specimens! That is what it is all about, right? Having fun! :thumbsup::laughing:
 

Attachments

  • Calcite, Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Calcite, Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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  • Calcite, Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, natural...JPG
    Calcite, Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, natural...JPG
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  • Calcite Willemite Hydrozincite, Nelly James Mine, Miller Canyon, Cochise Co., AZ, US dime for ...JPG
    Calcite Willemite Hydrozincite, Nelly James Mine, Miller Canyon, Cochise Co., AZ, US dime for ...JPG
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  • Calcite Willemite Hydrozincite, Nelly James Mine, Miller Canyon, Cochise Co., AZ, US dime for ...JPG
    Calcite Willemite Hydrozincite, Nelly James Mine, Miller Canyon, Cochise Co., AZ, US dime for ...JPG
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  • Calcite Willemite Hydrozincite, Nelly James Mine, Miller Canyon, Cochise Co., AZ, US dime for ...JPG
    Calcite Willemite Hydrozincite, Nelly James Mine, Miller Canyon, Cochise Co., AZ, US dime for ...JPG
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  • Calcite Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Calcite Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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  • Calcite Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Calcite Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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  • Calcite Challenger Cave, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Calcite Challenger Cave, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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  • Calcite Challenger Cave, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Calcite Challenger Cave, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Calcite Challenger Cave, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Calcite Challenger Cave, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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Continuing where His Majesty was so rudely interrupted! :laughing::laughing:
 

Attachments

  • Calcite, Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Calcite, Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Chalcedony, Chihuahua, Mexico, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Chalcedony, Chihuahua, Mexico, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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  • Chalcedony, Chihuahua, Mexico, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Chalcedony, Chihuahua, Mexico, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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  • Fluorite, Luna Co., NM, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Fluorite, Luna Co., NM, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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  • Fluorite, Luna Co., NM, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Fluorite, Luna Co., NM, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Hydrozincite, Luna, Co., AZ, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Hydrozincite, Luna, Co., AZ, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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  • Hydrozincite, Luna, Co., AZ, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Hydrozincite, Luna, Co., AZ, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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  • Willemite & Franklinite, Sterling Hill mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, na...JPG
    Willemite & Franklinite, Sterling Hill mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, na...JPG
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  • Willemite & Franklinite, Sterling Hill mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW...JPG
    Willemite & Franklinite, Sterling Hill mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW...JPG
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  • Willemite, Hillsboro, NM, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Willemite, Hillsboro, NM, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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Two new fluorescent specimens had arrived in the Royal Mailbox when checked this morning! One sample from Europe and the other from Pakistan.

The first pictures are of some 90 carats of oil included quartz from Wadh, Balochistan, Pakistan. There is a US dime for scale in the images. First picture is in natural light. Second is in SW 254nm, and the third is in LW 365nm. The petroleum displays as small fluorescent specks and blebs throughout many of these crystals. KT had a lot from this same dealer on eBay earlier in His Royal Collecting efforts, and this is a nice complimentary lot.

The second mineral images are of Zunyite from its type locality at the Zuni Mine, Big Bertha ext., San Juan County, Colorado. The Zunyite is very difficult to photograph as it is water clear and highly reflective, and is dead center of both pictures. Both images were taken at 15X with the Chinese USB led microscope, the first in natural light and the second in SW 254nm. Several images in SW were taken to finally get one showing the pale red fluorescence of the Zunyite. This is a pretty rare mineral!

Enjoy the pictures! :D:D:D
Quartz with Petroleum inclusions, Baluchistan mines, Pakistan, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
Quartz with Petroleum inclusions, Baluchistan mines, Pakistan, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
Quartz with Petroleum inclusions, Baluchistan mines, Pakistan, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
Zunyite, Zuni Mine, Big Bertha ext., San Juan Co, Colorado, (TL), 15X, natural light.jpg
Zunyite, Zuni Mine, Big Bertha ext., San Juan Co, Colorado (TL), 15X, SW 254nm.jpg
 
Two Uranium-bearing minerals arrived today from Europe!

And the presence of uranium is the cause of the fluorescence.

The first of these two specimens is Schrockingerite crystals from the Isolagrande Mine, Isola Grande, Muraildo, Savona Province, Liguria, Italy. The pictures were taken at 35X with the Royal digital microscope. The first picture is in natural light, the second in SW 254nm, and the third in LW 365nm. Tho very small, the mineral lights up strongly in either UV light to the naked eye!

The second specimen is of yellow Schoepite crystals on Malachite from the Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi Mining District, Lualaba, DR Congo (formerly Zaire). The pictures were taken at 24X. The first image is in natural light and the second in LW 365nm. The fluorescent response is a weak lime green, but is visible in the second image.

Fairly scarce minerals.
 

Attachments

  • Schrockingerite, Isolagrande Mine, Isola Grande, Murialdo, Savona Prov., Liquria, Italy, 35X, ...jpg
    Schrockingerite, Isolagrande Mine, Isola Grande, Murialdo, Savona Prov., Liquria, Italy, 35X, ...jpg
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  • Schrockingerite, Isolagrande Mine, Isola Grande, Murialdo, Savona Prov., Liquria, Italy, 35X, ...jpg
    Schrockingerite, Isolagrande Mine, Isola Grande, Murialdo, Savona Prov., Liquria, Italy, 35X, ...jpg
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  • Schrockingerite, Isolagrande Mine, Isola Grande, Murialdo, Savona Prov., Liquria, Italy, 35X, ...JPG
    Schrockingerite, Isolagrande Mine, Isola Grande, Murialdo, Savona Prov., Liquria, Italy, 35X, ...JPG
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  • Schoepite on malachite, Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi Mining Distr., Lualaba, DR Congo, 15X, natural l...jpg
    Schoepite on malachite, Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi Mining Distr., Lualaba, DR Congo, 15X, natural l...jpg
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  • Schoepite on malachite, Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi Mining Distr., Lualaba, DR Congo, 15X, LW 365nm.jpg
    Schoepite on malachite, Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi Mining Distr., Lualaba, DR Congo, 15X, LW 365nm.jpg
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Another couple of fluorescent specimens arrived today whilst His Majesty was out to lunch, so as soon as He returned, KT examined the specimens and had them photographed!

The first one is a miniature with a film of Uranophane-alpha on it from the Eureka Mine, Castell-estao, La Torre de Cabdella, Lleida, Catalunya, Spain. US dime for scale, first picture is in natural light and the second in 365nm. Of course this mineral species is Uranium bearing.

The second specimen at one time was in a display at the Franklin Museum in Franklin, NJ. It is Microcline from the Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey. US dime for scale, the first picture is in natural light and the second in SW 254nm.

Enjoy the pictures! Tomorrow His Majesty is off in the Royal Coach with a good friend and mineral buddy to the Jackson, MS, show to see what He might come up with so far as fluorescent minerals!

Uranophane-alpha, Eureka Mine, Castell-estao, La Torre de Cabdella, Lleida,Catalunya, Spain, U...JPG
Uranophane-alpha, Eureka Mine, Castell-estao, La Torre de Cabdella, Lleida,Catalunya, Spain, U...JPG
Microcline, Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
Microcline, Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
 
KT went to the Jackson MS rock and mineral club show yesterday, to search out new and interesting fluorescent specimens. He only bagged one, but had a surprise upon arriving back at the Royal Castle, as a specimen that was lost in the USPO for a couple of weeks, magically appeared in the Royal Mailbox! So KT has two specimens to show in this thread!

First is a large slice of a calcite and aragonite cemented Septarian Nodule that gives the appearance or texture of a breccia. It is from the Muddy Creek Dig, near Hurricane, Utah. The first picture shows fragmented angular rock fragments cemented by both yellowish calcite and tan aragonite in natural light. A US quarter is present for scale. This piece was slabbed from the outer edge of the nodule and the texture is rather unusual for what is normally seen when these nodules are sliced through their center. The second picture was taken using LW 365nm light, with the calcite responding in a mottled pale green and the aragonite showing a tan to brown fluorescence.

The second set of images is of a single scapolite crystal from Bakahshan, Afghanistan. It is mottled with a purple tint and whitish patches on its surface. US dime for scale. The first image is in natural light and the second in LW 365nm.

Enjoy the pictures, KT will leave them as thumbnails and if you want to see the full sized image, just click on each one!
 

Attachments

  • Calcite & Aragonite cemented Separian Nodule, Muddy Creek Dig, near Hurricane, Utah, US qtr fo...JPG
    Calcite & Aragonite cemented Separian Nodule, Muddy Creek Dig, near Hurricane, Utah, US qtr fo...JPG
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  • Calcite & Aragonite cemented Separian Nodule, Muddy Creek Dig, near Hurricane, Utah, US qtr fo...JPG
    Calcite & Aragonite cemented Separian Nodule, Muddy Creek Dig, near Hurricane, Utah, US qtr fo...JPG
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  • Scapolite, Badakhshan, Afghanistan, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Scapolite, Badakhshan, Afghanistan, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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  • Scapolite, Badakhshan, Afghanistan, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Scapolite, Badakhshan, Afghanistan, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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When KT arrived back at the Castle from lunch today, these specimens were patiently waiting on His Majesty to be unboxed and revealed. And one can never judge a fluorescent mineral by its daylight appearance! :laughing: :laughing: Both specimens look only moderately interesting until the UV light hits them!

The first is a specimen of Uranocircite from Mezenshwand, St. Blasien, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Whew, that is a Royal mouthful! Anyway, it is a Uranium-bearing mineral and displays in both LW and SW UV a nice strong yellow-green, the first picture is in natural light, and the second image is in SW 254nm. Quite surprising how much of the mineral is present!

The second set of pictures is of black Fluorite from Huitan Mine, Jianyang District, Nanping, Jujian Province, China. The first picture is in natural light and the second displays a nice pinkish red fluorescence in LW 365nm. Since most fluorite gives the classic bright blue fluorescence in LW, the activators in this must be different. There is one location in Afghanistan where they heat the fluorite to change it from LW blue to LW red, but this appears not to be heat treated. There is a site in Mexico where the fluorite is all fluorescent red.

Anyway enjoy the Christmasy colors! LOL
Uranocircite, Menzenschwand, St. Biasien, Baden-Wurttemberg Germany, US dime for scale, natura...JPG
Uranocircite, Menzenschwand, St. Biasien, Baden-Wurttemberg Germany, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
Fluorite, black, Huitan Mine, Jianyang District, Nanping, Fujian Prov., China, US dime for sca...JPG

Fluorite, black, Huitan Mine, Jianyang District, Nanping, Fujian Prov., China, US dime for sca...JPG
 
Here are the pictures of two specimens that are part of Eckhard Stuart’s donation to KT's fluorescent collection! While His Majesty was at the Jackson, MS, Show, Eckhard kindly gave me these and several others, mostly micro mineral examples!

The first specimen is composed of Calcite, Fluorite, Willemite, and Hydrozincite from the Hogan Claim, Black Rock Mining District, Yavapai Co., Arizona. The first picture is in natural light. US dime for scale, and the second picture is in SW 254nm showing the red response of calcite, greenish white of Hydrozincite and the pastel green of Willemite. The 3rd picture shows the specimens response to LW 365nm, mostly blue due to fluorite.

The second specimen is Wickenburgite and Willemite from the Potter-Cramer Mine, Vulture Mining District, Maricopa County, AZ. This is the type locality of Wickenburgite. The first picture is in natural light, US dime for scale. The second picture shows the minerals response in SW 254nm light, the Wickensburgite being red, and Willemite being greenish white.


Enjoy!
 

Attachments

  • Wickenburgite & Willemite, Potter-Cramer Mine, Vulture Mining Dist., Maricopa Co., AZ, US dime...JPG
    Wickenburgite & Willemite, Potter-Cramer Mine, Vulture Mining Dist., Maricopa Co., AZ, US dime...JPG
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  • Calcite, Hydrozincite, Willemite, Fluorite, Hogan Claim, Black Rock Mining Dist., Yavapai Co.,...JPG
    Calcite, Hydrozincite, Willemite, Fluorite, Hogan Claim, Black Rock Mining Dist., Yavapai Co.,...JPG
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  • Calcite, Hydrozincite, Willemite, Fluorite, Hogan Claim, Black Rock Mining Dist., Yavapai Co.,...JPG
    Calcite, Hydrozincite, Willemite, Fluorite, Hogan Claim, Black Rock Mining Dist., Yavapai Co.,...JPG
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  • Calcite, Hydrozincite, Willemite, Fluorite, Hogan Claim, Black Rock Mining Dist., Yavapai Co.,...JPG
    Calcite, Hydrozincite, Willemite, Fluorite, Hogan Claim, Black Rock Mining Dist., Yavapai Co.,...JPG
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  • Wickenburgite & Willemite, Potter-Cramer Mine, Vulture Mining Dist., Maricopa Co., AZ, US dime...JPG
    Wickenburgite & Willemite, Potter-Cramer Mine, Vulture Mining Dist., Maricopa Co., AZ, US dime...JPG
    57.2 KB · Views: 45
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