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

His Majesty hopes everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend remembering those American soldiers who gave all so that we might live free.

KT checked these Septarian infillings with acid and they effervesce strongly so it is KT's best thought they consist of simple calcite, but it might be mangano-calcite as His Majesty has no way to test them further. These were a gift from a Castle visitor, part of an entire box of them. KT washed the larger ones and picked out these 4 for the Royal Collection for their nice bright fluorescence. They are from the Nacimiento Mine area, San Pablo, Sanoval County, New Mexico.

There are several Septarian nodules in the Royal fluorescent collection, from Utah and even Madagascar, all with calcite infillings, but none that fluoresce red orange and none as bright as these. KT has plenty, thanks to His Royal Visitor, to give away or trade, if you like.

The first picture is in natural light with a US dime for scale, the second is in LW 365nm and the third is in SW 254nm, lit by two lamps, one from the bottom of the image and the other positioned at the top.

Enjoy the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • Calcite Septaria, Nacimiento Mine area, San Pablo, Sandoval County, New Mexico, US dime for sc...JPG
    Calcite Septaria, Nacimiento Mine area, San Pablo, Sandoval County, New Mexico, US dime for sc...JPG
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  • Calcite Septaria, Nacimiento Mine area, San Pablo, Sandoval County, New Mexico, US dime for sc...JPG
    Calcite Septaria, Nacimiento Mine area, San Pablo, Sandoval County, New Mexico, US dime for sc...JPG
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  • Calcite Septaria, Nacimiento Mine area, San Pablo, Sandoval County, New Mexico, US dime for sc...JPG
    Calcite Septaria, Nacimiento Mine area, San Pablo, Sandoval County, New Mexico, US dime for sc...JPG
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Here is another gift from a Royal friend! From a box of specimens that KT washed yesterday comes this Calcite geode from the Warsaw Shale (Miss.), Hamilton, Hancock Co., Illinois. Just to the east is the famous Keokuk, Iowa geode location. This calcite geode, quarter for scale, is depicted in natural light in the first photo, LW 365nm in the second photo, and SW 254nm in the third picture. It has very strong phosphorescence after exposure to LW UV and glows a pale bluish white.

Enjoy the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • Calcite geode, Warsaw Fm (Miss.), Hamilton, Hancock Co., Illinois, US quarter for scale, natur...JPG
    Calcite geode, Warsaw Fm (Miss.), Hamilton, Hancock Co., Illinois, US quarter for scale, natur...JPG
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  • Calcite geode, Warsaw Fm (Miss.), Hamilton, Hancock Co., Illinois, US quarter for scale, LW 36...JPG
    Calcite geode, Warsaw Fm (Miss.), Hamilton, Hancock Co., Illinois, US quarter for scale, LW 36...JPG
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  • Calcite geode, Warsaw Fm (Miss.), Hamilton, Hancock Co., Illinois, US quarter for scale, SW 25...JPG
    Calcite geode, Warsaw Fm (Miss.), Hamilton, Hancock Co., Illinois, US quarter for scale, SW 25...JPG
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A couple of interesting specimens arrived in the Royal Post yesterday!

The first pair of photos is of Tilasite from its Type Locality of Langban, Filipstad, Varmland Co., Sweden. Fairly rare, this mineral is also reported from Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey. A US dime is shown for size comparison. First picture is in natural light, and the second in SW 254nm. The SW image was taken using both the old Royal UV Products dual SW lamp and the new Royal 11 watt SW lamp, one at 3 o’clock and the other at 10 o’clock position.

Unfortunately, KT dropped His Triple SW on the back porch concrete yesterday and it no longer is working. Since the bulb for it costs around $100, His Majesty is not going to buy a bulb just to find out that is not the problem. At the same time He also dropped the LW UV Beast, however it is still working fine! Thank goodness! KT is patiently waiting to hear from a Royal Friend concerning his fancy new $400+ SW flashlight, with the idea His Majesty may just buy one of them with monies from His next Royal SS check, if Congress lets Him have one! :violin::violin:

The second pair of photos is of small wavellite spheres (<2.5 mm diameter) covering a piece of chert from the Phosphate Quarry, Middlecreek Twsp., Snyder Co., PA. The first image is in natural light, a US dime for scale. The second image is in LW 365nm. It also fluoresces the same color, but is weaker in response to SW so KT did not bother to capture that image. Many years ago, there was a site north of Crows Station, in Saline County, AR, that His Majesty visited that had yellow wavellite coating white wavellite. The core of these spheres did not fluoresce, but the outer rims gave a nice yellow green response to LW. Henry Barwood, a mineralogical researcher and friend, analysed that material and found that the surface coating contained no trace of iron, which dampens the fluorescent response in this mineral normally. Whatever the trace element is that allows the blue white response of this wavellite, I have no idea.

Enjoy the photos! :grin::grin:
 

Attachments

  • Tilasite, Langban, Filipstad, Varmland Co., Sweden (TL), US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Tilasite, Langban, Filipstad, Varmland Co., Sweden (TL), US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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  • Tilasite, Langban, Filipstad, Varmland Co., Sweden (TL), US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Tilasite, Langban, Filipstad, Varmland Co., Sweden (TL), US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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  • Wavellite on chert, Phosphate Qy., Kreamer, Middlecreek Twsp., Snyder Co., PA, US dime for sca...JPG
    Wavellite on chert, Phosphate Qy., Kreamer, Middlecreek Twsp., Snyder Co., PA, US dime for sca...JPG
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  • Wavellite on chert, Phosphate Qy., Kreamer, Middlecreek Twsp., Snyder Co., PA, US dime for sca...JPG
    Wavellite on chert, Phosphate Qy., Kreamer, Middlecreek Twsp., Snyder Co., PA, US dime for sca...JPG
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Believe it or not, while checking on UV SW lights on eBay, KT came across a true SW 254nm flashlight. The seller had received 15 of them hot from the factory and already sold 12, so KT jumped in and bought one...price was $150 including tax. It includes 2 heavy duty Li-Ion batteries, the charger and the flashlight. It should arrive at the Castle by June 10th, so KT will have something new to show off. I do not know how much better than my Royal Friends $400 is than this but the seller stated it was good for 15 feet on a moonless night! The Triple at its best was good for 18" for a strongly fluorescing specimen! KT just thought you all should know! I will do a few SW specimens with just the new light comparing it to the response of my older lights, once it arrives!
 
These all arrived the last time the Royal Mailbox was crammed full, and KT has just not had the time to get to them!

The first 3 pictures are of a specimen of "Crazy" Calcite from the Sterling Hill Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ. It was given the name by a well known collector who discovered that it fluoresced a different color in LW vs. SW, unlike much of the calcite which is the same color but weaker in LW. Anyway, the first picture is in natural light, with a US dime for scale. The second is in LW 365nm, and the third is in SW 254nm (two lamps). The difference in color is quite noticable in adjacent images.

The second picture is of matrix syenite with small dark fluorite crystals scattered about. US dime for scale. The first picture is in natural light and the second in LW 365nm. Some wash out of the exposure meter gives some of the spots a white color, tho to the eye it is all fluorescent blue. The specimen is from the Poudrette Quarry, Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec Prov., Canada.

The final specimen is of Polylithionite, one of the brittle micas, from the same Poudrette Quarry. The first picture is in natural light with a US dime for scale. The second is in SW 254nm (two lights).

His Majesty has given up on trying to fix the damaged Triple shortwave light because it may or may not be the bulb that costs $100, but has ordered a true SW Flashlight from eBay. Yes they are now coming out on the market at less than $200! It has 1 Cree bulb and a Chinese filter, not a Hoya filter, but if KT purchased a Hoya filter later, that is an option, expensive but still an option! Anyway, that will be shipped early next week according to the seller! KT will have some pairs of comparison photos using just that SW light and then the two SW lamp set up to show everyone the difference!

Anyway, enjoy the photos!
 

Attachments

  • Calcite, Crazy, Sterling Hill Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Calcite, Crazy, Sterling Hill Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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  • Calcite, Crazy, Sterling Hill Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Calcite, Crazy, Sterling Hill Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Calcite, Crazy, Sterling Hill Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Calcite, Crazy, Sterling Hill Mine, Franklin, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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  • Fluorite spots, Poudrette Qy., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, US dime for scale, natural li...JPG
    Fluorite spots, Poudrette Qy., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, US dime for scale, natural li...JPG
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  • Fluorite spots, Poudrette Qy., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Fluorite spots, Poudrette Qy., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Polylithionite, Poudrette Qy., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, US dime for scale, natural li...JPG
    Polylithionite, Poudrette Qy., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, US dime for scale, natural li...JPG
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  • Polylithionite, Poudrette Qy., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Polylithionite, Poudrette Qy., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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Part of the Royal Mailbox full of specimens that arrived recently!

The first specimen is a fist sized piece of Sphalerite-bearing rock also containing a very minor amount of Willemite from the Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey. A US quarter for scale. The first picture is in natural light, the second in LW 365nm. It was discovered in 1904 that a trace amount of Mn2+ in sphalerite gave it an orange luminescence (Flomin.org). This specimen is interesting as it has none of the typical fluorescent calcite and very little willemite is associated.

The second specimen is Phosphuranylite, another U-bearing mineral, from the Christa Mine, GroBschloppen, Kirchenatiz, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany. US dime for scale. In the first image, it shows as yellow areas on the matrix rock in natural light. The second picture was taken in LW 365nm and displays as green spots and patches. The third picture is taken in SW 254nm and tho weak, the green fluorescence stands out on the matrix. This mineral is fairly rare, and on this specimen has been EDS confirmed.


As always We hope you enjoy the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • Sphalerite & minor Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., NJ, US quarter for s...JPG
    Sphalerite & minor Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., NJ, US quarter for s...JPG
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  • Sphalerite & minor Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., NJ, US quarter for s...JPG
    Sphalerite & minor Willemite, Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., NJ, US quarter for s...JPG
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  • Phosphuranylite, Christa Mine, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, US dime for scale, natural l...JPG
    Phosphuranylite, Christa Mine, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, US dime for scale, natural l...JPG
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  • Phosphuranylite, Christa Mine, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Phosphuranylite, Christa Mine, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Phosphuranylite, Christa Mine, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Phosphuranylite, Christa Mine, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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Last of the gifts from a Royal Friend.

Here are some interesting fluorescent specimens from Nevada, the first photographs are of 3 specimens with late coatings of a white carbonate mineral, likely aragonite, from the Silver Coin Mine, Valmy, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., Nevada. US dime for scale. The first picture is in natural light, second is in LW 365nm, and the third picture is in SW 254nm. These specimens phosphoresce rather nicely with a pastel greenish glow from LW only. No afterglow response from SW.

The other specimen is apparently caliche from the same locality, although in its natural light picture, it looks exactly like the other specimens above. The first picture is in natural light, and the second is in LW 365nm. No response to SW 254nm was observed.

KT hopes everyone enjoys the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • Aragonite crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for s...JPG
    Aragonite crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for s...JPG
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  • Aragonite crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for s...JPG
    Aragonite crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for s...JPG
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  • Aragonite crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for s...JPG
    Aragonite crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for s...JPG
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  • Caliche crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for sca...JPG
    Caliche crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for sca...JPG
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  • Caliche crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for sca...JPG
    Caliche crust, Silver Coin Mine, Iron Point Mining District, Humboldt Co., NV, US dime for sca...JPG
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Two packages with 3 total specimens arrived today in the Royal Mailbox!

The first pair of pictures are of an Oco Ocho geode from the Rio Grande do Sul State of south Brazil. No exact location is available simply because there are too many possible sources in that region, from farmer’s fields to actual agate geode mines. This one interested KT because the innermost lining (over the tops of the inward facing quartz crystals) is what is fluorescent. His Majesty is uncertain as to what it is but He knows what it is not...it is not opal or chalcedony, as those most often fluoresce green. The first picture, with US quarter for scale, is in natural light, and the second picture is in LW 365nm and is a strong yellow, strong enough to wipe out the exposure meter on my camera, to show mostly as white, with a yellow tint.

The second specimen is a small piece of calcite ‘slickensides” from the Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ. KT has seen slickensided quartz veining along faults in Arkansas, but of course it is not fluorescent (dang it!). The first picture is in natural light with a US dime for scale, and the second is in SW 254nm, two lights, one at 12 o’clock looking 45 degrees south and the other at 9 o’clock also at 45 degrees east. I like this piece as it shows the structure very well. It came from a fault zone in the mine.

Finally, the third specimen is a single barite crystal from Huamalica Province, Huanuco State, Peru. In that Province there are two barite mines, however no exact location was given on the specimen label. His Majesty looked at barite photos on Mindat.org from both locations, and all yellowish crystals were bladed, not blocky in cross section as this one, so KT could carry location details just so far. Anyway, the first picture is in natural light with a US dime for scale, second picture is in LW 365nm and again the Royal Digital Camera photometer is overpowered by the strong fluorescence...a very bright yellow with the photo image being bright white with a washout of all crystal details. The third photo is in SW 254nm with 2 lamps. The soft blue photographed nicely and even shows some detail.

So there you have it for today! KT did see, using USPO tracking, that His new SW 254nm flashlight has shipped and is on its way! Enjoy the photos!
 

Attachments

  • Oco Ocho Geode, Rio Grande do Sul State, South Brazil, US quarter for scale, natural light.JPG
    Oco Ocho Geode, Rio Grande do Sul State, South Brazil, US quarter for scale, natural light.JPG
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  • Oco Ocho Geode, Rio Grande do Sul State, South Brazil, US quarter for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Oco Ocho Geode, Rio Grande do Sul State, South Brazil, US quarter for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Calcite slickensides, Sterling Hill Mine, Odgensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, natur...JPG
    Calcite slickensides, Sterling Hill Mine, Odgensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, natur...JPG
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  • Calcite slickensides, Sterling Hill Mine, Odgensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW 25...JPG
    Calcite slickensides, Sterling Hill Mine, Odgensberg, Sussex Co., NJ, US dime for scale, SW 25...JPG
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  • Barite, Huamalica Province, Huanuco State, Peru, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
    Barite, Huamalica Province, Huanuco State, Peru, US dime for scale, natural light.JPG
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  • Barite, Huamalica Province, Huanuco State, Peru, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Barite, Huamalica Province, Huanuco State, Peru, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Barite, Huamalica Province, Huanuco State, Peru, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Barite, Huamalica Province, Huanuco State, Peru, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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This is to show off the New Royal SW flashlight that arrived at the Royal Castle yesterday! These flashlights incorporate the latest technology and filters to use as field lamps when compared to the older style tube lamps that have long been in use by hobbyists.

First are a couple of pictures of the new Lamp, made by AJ Technologies, likely a Chinese company, at this price. The price was $130 on eBay and it came with both a charger for the Li ion batteries and two charged batteries. The 3rd picture is of the batteries, as KT purchased an identical spare set to have on hand, at a cost of $22.

Then there are a series of 4 pictures of Franklin NJ specimens, taken using the new flashlight from a distance of 6 feet. Both the light and the camera were that far away. The manufacturer states that when used outdoors on a moonless night, rocks that fluoresce in SW can be noted at a distance of 15 feet. KT has no doubt they can. The Royal UVBeast LW 365nm flashlight rocks that fluoresce LW can be seen at over 30 feet away! This is such as great improvement because even the 11 watt SW KT has is only effective up to 14 inches away from the specimen.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • AJ Ultraviolet  SW single Cree bulb flashlight.JPG
    AJ Ultraviolet SW single Cree bulb flashlight.JPG
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  • AJ SW 254nm single Cree bulb flashlight.JPG
    AJ SW 254nm single Cree bulb flashlight.JPG
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  • TrustFire Rechargeable Li ion 26650 Batteries, 5000 mAh, pair.JPG
    TrustFire Rechargeable Li ion 26650 Batteries, 5000 mAh, pair.JPG
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  • 01 Calcite & Willemite, AJ SW flashlight, Large Cabinet, 6 feet distance.JPG
    01 Calcite & Willemite, AJ SW flashlight, Large Cabinet, 6 feet distance.JPG
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  • 02 Calcite & Willemite, AJ SW flashlight, 6 feet.JPG
    02 Calcite & Willemite, AJ SW flashlight, 6 feet.JPG
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  • Left specimen from Pair, AJ SW flashlight, 6 feet distance.JPG
    Left specimen from Pair, AJ SW flashlight, 6 feet distance.JPG
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  • Right specimen  from Pair Photo, AJ SW flashlight, 6 feet distance.JPG
    Right specimen from Pair Photo, AJ SW flashlight, 6 feet distance.JPG
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KT recently purchased two interesting fluorescent specimens, one arrived yesterday and the other today.

The first 3 photos are of the Chiastolite variety of Andalusite from Pestsovye Keivy, Keivy Mountains, Lovozersky, Murmansk Oblast, Russia. Mindat.org does not list any fluorescence, but Fluomin.org lists a yellow white fluorescence for SW. Well just see what KT found! The first picture is in natural light, US dime for scale. The second picture is in LW 365nm...a pastel orange response, and the third picture is in SW 254nm with a blue white response. The Henkel Glossary gives several different colors with both of these colors for their respective wavelengths. In this case, the Henkel Glossary is the best reference!

The other specimen is Scheelite crystals on quartz from the Qitianling Complex, Chenzou, Hunan Province, China. There are two mines in this complex, but there was incomplete data on the label. I looked up the mineralogy of both deposits on Mindat.org and both contain quartz and scheelite, so that was no help. Anyway the first picture is in natural light, with a US dime for scale. The second picture is in LW 365nm, using a filter to block out the cameras blue bias. The response looks in the picture like what I see with the naked eye. The third picture is using SW 254nm and shows the classic response listed in all literature.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures. It was fun dealing with a couple of minerals that had different response to LW vs SW UV light!
 

Attachments

  • Chiastolite, a var. of Andalusite, Pestsovye Keivy, Keivy Mtns., Lovozersky District, Murmansk...JPG
    Chiastolite, a var. of Andalusite, Pestsovye Keivy, Keivy Mtns., Lovozersky District, Murmansk...JPG
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  • Chiastolite, a var. of Andalusite, Pestsovye Keivy, Keivy Mtns., Lovozersky District, Murmansk...JPG
    Chiastolite, a var. of Andalusite, Pestsovye Keivy, Keivy Mtns., Lovozersky District, Murmansk...JPG
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  • Chiastolite, a var. of Andalusite, Pestsovye Keivy, Keivy Mtns., Lovozersky District, Murmansk...JPG
    Chiastolite, a var. of Andalusite, Pestsovye Keivy, Keivy Mtns., Lovozersky District, Murmansk...JPG
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  • Scheelite on Qtz., Qitianling Complex, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China, US dime for scale, natura...JPG
    Scheelite on Qtz., Qitianling Complex, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China, US dime for scale, natura...JPG
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  • Scheelite on Qtz., Qitianling Complex, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
    Scheelite on Qtz., Qitianling Complex, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China, US dime for scale, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Scheelite on Qtz., Qitianling Complex, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
    Scheelite on Qtz., Qitianling Complex, Chenzhou, Hunan Prov., China, US dime for scale, SW 254nm.JPG
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Arriving in the Royal mail today was a hefty fluorescent rock specimen….coming all the way from Afghanistan!

Some of these are now coming out of Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. A small cabinet sized specimen of blue and green sodalite. Note: in the pictures is a US quarter for scale. This piece actually cost more for the shipping than for the specimen, yet it is a very nice fluorescent example of sodalite!


The first picture is in natural light and the second is in LW 365nm with the LW flashlight some 6 feet away from the specimen! The way it was packaged it took His Majesty over 10 minutes of effort to unwrap it!

Anyway, enjoy the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • Sodalite, blue & green with pyrite, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan Province, ...JPG
    Sodalite, blue & green with pyrite, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan Province, ...JPG
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  • Sodalite, blue & green with pyrite, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan Province, ...JPG
    Sodalite, blue & green with pyrite, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan Province, ...JPG
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Another specimen all the way from Afghanistan by way of Pakistan! :lookclose:

This polished “worry stone” is composed of Sodalite and Marialite (Scapolite) in Lapis Lazuli from the Kokcha Valley, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. It was likely polished in Pakistan as His Majesty purchased it from a Pakistani eBay dealer. The sodalite is blue and fluoresces orange in LW 365nm, and the marialite is yellow in LW. Even tho in natural light, it looks like a fair about of Lapis is present, Lapis does not fluoresce and much of the matrix of this piece does! In the natural light pictures (1 & 2 please ignor the reflection of the overhead fluorescent lights! :grin::p

The first two pictures (pic 1 & 2) are of the “front” and “reverse or back” of the specimen, respectively, with a US dime for scale. The two fluorescent images (pic 3 & 4) correspond to the front and then back of the piece. You will note that the scapolite is actually a large grain, set in finer grained blue sodalite and lapis. In SW 254nm, both sodalite and scapolite fluoresce a uniform whitish, so no picture was taken.

Enjoy the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • Sodalite01 and Marialite (Scapolite),Kokcha Valley, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan, Afgha...JPG
    Sodalite01 and Marialite (Scapolite),Kokcha Valley, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan, Afgha...JPG
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  • Sodalite02 and Marialite (Scapolite),Kokcha Valley, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan, Afgha...JPG
    Sodalite02 and Marialite (Scapolite),Kokcha Valley, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan, Afgha...JPG
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  • Sodalite01 and Marialite (Scapolite),Kokcha Valley, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan, Afgha...JPG
    Sodalite01 and Marialite (Scapolite),Kokcha Valley, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan, Afgha...JPG
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  • Sodalite02 and Marialite (Scapolite),Kokcha Valley, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan, Afgha...JPG
    Sodalite02 and Marialite (Scapolite),Kokcha Valley, Kuran wa Mujan District, Badakhshan, Afgha...JPG
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Today we have another example of exsolution of Willemite, but this time with a non-fluorescent Petedunnite matrix, rather than from Tephroite. From the type locality of Petedunnite, Franklin Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., New Jersey.

According to Mindat.org, Petedunnite is in the Pyroxene Group – Clinopyroxene Subgroup. And one end member of the Hedenbergite – Petedunnite solid solution.

KT has an amusing tale...His Majesty never met Pete Dunn, but he was a friend of a mutual friend, Charles Milton. Many years ago, about 30, the Queen and KT made a visit to Charles and his wife, Leona, in Silver Springs, Maryland. At that time Charles was a research mineralogist for George Washington University in Washington, D.C. We visited the Smithsonian Institute Gem & Mineral Museum, and while looking at the public displays, KT found an Arkansas wavellite specimen mislabeled as being from Magnet Cove, Hot Spring Co., Arkansas. When we returned to Charles’ office, KT told him about that error and he called Dr. Dunn, and said, “I have an upset Arkansas citizen in my office and it concerns the mislabeling of a Wavellite specimen!” Then he handed the phone to Me! KT introduced himself as a friend of Charles and that He worked for the Arkansas Geological Survey as a mineralogist and told him in my opinion where the specimen came from (Avant, Garland County, Arkansas) and how that mistake had been carried down in the popular literature, but it had been corrected in an article in Rocks and Minerals Magazine back in the late 1940s. He assured me that they would get the label changed.

Two years later KT attended the International Geophysical Union world meeting in Washington, and with a co-worker, revisited the Museum, and sure enough, the same specimen with the same incorrect label was still on display.

About 6 months later, His Majesty received an application to subscribe to Smithsonian magazine. KT used their prepaid envelope, to recount that Dr. Dunn had not followed up on his word to get that specimen label changed and that is why We refused to subscribe. About a week later...the “chit” must have hit the fan... KT got a call from Dr. Dunn, saying that His Majesty had gotten him into some hot water about that wavellite label, and that very day he got flack from the higher ups, he got it changed! This story still amuses me when I think of it, but Dr. Dunn and I were friends afterwards. In fact, KT sent him a new mineral from 3M Quarry and had requested it be named Charlesmiltonite, after our mutual friend. Pete had several years of work in on it before he retired and then passed. I have heard nothing about the specimens I donated him...the last I heard was some 15 years ago, he sent it off to have the structure worked on….then nothing since.

Anyway, the first picture is in natural light with a US dime for scale. The second shows the green fluorescing Willemite in SW 254nm, the finer grained portion being exsolved in the matrix. After several repeated attempts to photograph this specimen in SW UV and not getting the desired results, KT clipped the picture from the seller's ad to use. The specimen is a bit smaller than I expected, but still is quite interesting! Note the small fluorescent red spot of calcite at the bottom of the image!

Enjoy the photographs!
 

Attachments

  • Willemite, exsolution, in Petedunnite (TL) matrix, Franklin Mine, Ogdensberg, Sussex Co., NJ.,...JPG
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This is to show off the New Royal SW flashlight that arrived at the Royal Castle yesterday! These flashlights incorporate the latest technology and filters to use as field lamps when compared to the older style tube lamps that have long been in use by hobbyists.

First are a couple of pictures of the new Lamp, made by AJ Technologies, likely a Chinese company, at this price. The price was $130 on eBay and it came with both a charger for the Li ion batteries and two charged batteries. The 3rd picture is of the batteries, as KT purchased an identical spare set to have on hand, at a cost of $22.

Then there are a series of 4 pictures of Franklin NJ specimens, taken using the new flashlight from a distance of 6 feet. Both the light and the camera were that far away. The manufacturer states that when used outdoors on a moonless night, rocks that fluoresce in SW can be noted at a distance of 15 feet. KT has no doubt they can. The Royal UVBeast LW 365nm flashlight rocks that fluoresce LW can be seen at over 30 feet away! This is such as great improvement because even the 11 watt SW KT has is only effective up to 14 inches away from the specimen.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures!
An update on the extra set of batteries KT ordered from eBay......They arrived and are non-functional. KT unwrapped them, put then in the new flashlight (which works fine with the set that came with it) and the light would not turn on. Put them on the charger that came with the flashlight and they indicated charged, but KT left them anyway for 9 hours, then tried again...still did not work. Apparently they will not discharge.....if they are even charged! So KT sent them back for a refund, started that process last night and they went in the mail today. At least eBay pays the postage on the return and furnished His Majesty with a QR code that printed a label for the USPO. It is no one's fault as the batteries were factory sealed. His Majesty suspects that at some time after their manufacture, in China of course, they got too hot and fried their internal computer chip. Royal best guess anyway....KT expects when they are delivered to the seller to get a full return via PayPal. Just thought you might like to know. There is a battery and bulb retailer in Little Rock....place is called battery and bulb....I will try there next rather than purchase off of eBay again. That way His Majesty can put them in the flashlight and see that they work before He pays for them!
 
Today we have another specimen that arrived at the Castle from a Pakistani dealer and it weighs 111 carats...5 cts to a gram... so a shade over 20 grams. Just a bit oversized for a US T/N Perky box, so it is a small miniature.

It consists of two intergrown crystals of Scapolite, the fluorescent lemon yellow variety known by most collectors as Wernerite, before the IMA Names Committee got involved. It is from the Koksha Valley, Kuran wa Mujhan District, Badakhstan, Afghanistan. This region is producing a large number of nicely fluorescent scapolite, Lapis, sodalite, fluorapatite, phlogopite, and other interesting minerals!

Anyway, the first picture is in natural light, and the second is in LW 365nm. It does weakly fluoresce a pale grayish white in SW UV but no pictures were taken. Enjoy the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • Scapolite (Wernerite), Koksha Valley, Kuran Wah Mujhan District, Badakhstan, Afghanistan, 111 ...JPG
    Scapolite (Wernerite), Koksha Valley, Kuran Wah Mujhan District, Badakhstan, Afghanistan, 111 ...JPG
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Two new fluorescent minerals arrived in the Royal Mailbox today!

The first is Uranophane-alpha from Rabojac Est, Le Puech, Lodeve, Herault, Occitainie, France. This was obtained from a German dealer. The first picture in natural light is from their auction listing and KT estimates 10X from viewing the specimen with the Royal microscope. The second picture is by KT….typical out of focus, at 5X, but does show nicely the distribution of the encrusting mineral across the matrix in LW 365nm by its fluorescence.

The second specimen is Sabugalite, a rare U-bearing species, from Arcu su Linnorbu, Clagliari Province, Sardinia, Italy. The first picture is in natural light from their auction and KT estimates at 20X. The second picture is at 5X, again taken by His Majesty and is also out of focus, but again shows nicely the distribution of the scattered crystals across the matrix in LW 365nm.

Unfortunately, the Royal Chinese toy microscope is still acting up, so KT had to use photos from the dealers listings and then use the auto focus digital camera to capture the fluorescence. Color is good, but the LW UV fouls up this camera’s auto focus!

Anywho, enjoy the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • Uranophane-alpha, Rabojac Est, Le Puech, Lodeve, Herault, Occitainie, France, 10X, natural light.JPG
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  • Uranophane-alpha, Rabojac Est, Le Puech, Lodeve, Herault, Occitainie, France, 5X, LW 365nm.JPG
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  • Sabugalite, Arcu su Linnorbu, Capoterra, Cagliari Province, Sardinia, Italy, 20X, natural light.JPG
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  • Sabugalite, Arcu su Linnorbu, Capoterra, Cagliari Province, Sardinia, Italy, 5X, LW 365nm.JPG
    Sabugalite, Arcu su Linnorbu, Capoterra, Cagliari Province, Sardinia, Italy, 5X, LW 365nm.JPG
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An update on the extra set of batteries KT ordered from eBay......They arrived and are non-functional. KT unwrapped them, put then in the new flashlight (which works fine with the set that came with it) and the light would not turn on. Put them on the charger that came with the flashlight and they indicated charged, but KT left them anyway for 9 hours, then tried again...still did not work. Apparently they will not discharge.....if they are even charged! So KT sent them back for a refund, started that process last night and they went in the mail today. At least eBay pays the postage on the return and furnished His Majesty with a QR code that printed a label for the USPO. It is no one's fault as the batteries were factory sealed. His Majesty suspects that at some time after their manufacture, in China of course, they got too hot and fried their internal computer chip. Royal best guess anyway....KT expects when they are delivered to the seller to get a full return via PayPal. Just thought you might like to know. There is a battery and bulb retailer in Little Rock....place is called battery and bulb....I will try there next rather than purchase off of eBay again. That way His Majesty can put them in the flashlight and see that they work before He pays for them!
The Battery and Bulb store in Little Rock had never seen this battery before and it was not listed in their computer! However, KT did find another US dealer on eBay with this same number battery, but under a different name….likely made by the same Chinese factory. KT ordered a pair from them and they are on their way from California. His Majesty will let e1 know when these come in and if they work and charge! BTW, these batteries cost around $7 US vs. the defective ones were $10 ! So 30% less.
 
A couple of specimens from Scotland on display!

The first is a slightly too large to fit in a Perky T/N box, consisting of a crust of Brewsterite-Sr crystals on matrix from Strontian, Highland Region, Scotland. A 1 in ruler (today am sending off for a mm/cm ruler) for scale. This mineral is listed as not fluorescent in Mindat.org, however other sources, principally Henkel’s Glossary does list it as LW UV fluorescent. The first picture is in natural light, taken with the Royal Google Pixel 7 phone, and the second is in LW 365nm. It is fluorescent, but not dramatic, however obviously a grayish blue.

The second mineral is a palm-sized specimen of Petalite from Hirvikalud, Tammela, Kanta-Hame, Tavastia Proper, Scotland. Not only is it not listed in Mindat.org as fluorescent, but this actual locality in Scotland is not given! Again, Henkel’s Glossary gives the fluorescence as blue and yellow in LW UV. The first picture, again with an inch scale, shows the natural light image and it appears to be both yellowish and cream in color. The second picture is in LW 365nm and it does show both a bluish and yellowish streaks of fluorescence.

KT is learning to use His Royal Cell Phone camera, being drug kicking and screaming into the 21st Century by Prince John! All of these pictures were taken with my Google Pixel 7 phone camera, mounted in a swing arm so that the camera will get a decent focus. Note that the camera has no focus problems with LW UV! His Majesty is still learning everything about this set up, but likely will not be using the Royal auto focus HP camera anymore. It will be relegated to group photos et cetera! But it is good, as KT is happy with the better focus and thus far lack of focus problems in LW UV, making for a bit better quality image to display in this thread.

KT has to email the raw images to Himself, then run them through the PhotoShop equivalent program on the Royal computer to crop, color correct, and straighten them, as well as sharpen the images. Oh well, it sure beats mowing the grass! HA HA
 

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  • Brewsterite-Sr, Stontian, Highland Region, Scotland, 1 in. ruler for scale, natural light.jpg
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  • Petalite, Hirvikalud, Tammela, Kanta-hame, Travastia Proper, Scotland, 1 in ruler for scale, n...jpg
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  • Petalite, Hirvikalud, Tammela, Kanta-hame, Travastia Proper, Scotland, 1 in ruler for scale, L...jpg
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A couple of specimens from Scotland on display!

The first is a slightly too large to fit in a Perky T/N box, consisting of a crust of Brewsterite-Sr crystals on matrix from Strontian, Highland Region, Scotland. A 1 in ruler (today am sending off for a mm/cm ruler) for scale. This mineral is listed as not fluorescent in Mindat.org, however other sources, principally Henkel’s Glossary does list it as LW UV fluorescent. The first picture is in natural light, taken with the Royal Google Pixel 7 phone, and the second is in LW 365nm. It is fluorescent, but not dramatic, however obviously a grayish blue.

The second mineral is a palm-sized specimen of Petalite from Hirvikalud, Tammela, Kanta-Hame, Tavastia Proper, Scotland. Not only is it not listed in Mindat.org as fluorescent, but this actual locality in Scotland is not given! Again, Henkel’s Glossary gives the fluorescence as blue and yellow in LW UV. The first picture, again with an inch scale, shows the natural light image and it appears to be both yellowish and cream in color. The second picture is in LW 365nm and it does show both a bluish and yellowish streaks of fluorescence.

KT is learning to use His Royal Cell Phone camera, being drug kicking and screaming into the 21st Century by Prince John! All of these pictures were taken with my Google Pixel 7 phone camera, mounted in a swing arm so that the camera will get a decent focus. Note that the camera has no focus problems with LW UV! His Majesty is still learning everything about this set up, but likely will not be using the Royal auto focus HP camera anymore. It will be relegated to group photos et cetera! But it is good, as KT is happy with the better focus and thus far lack of focus problems in LW UV, making for a bit better quality image to display in this thread.

KT has to email the raw images to Himself, then run them through the PhotoShop equivalent program on the Royal computer to crop, color correct, and straighten them, as well as sharpen the images. Oh well, it sure beats mowing the grass! HA HA
Well NOW! KT also sends this info with pictures to his Royal Mineralogical Associates and they found a labelling mistake! Two wrote His Majesty back to point out that the Petalite specimen is from that location but it is in Finland, NOT Scotland! Apparently the dealer who sold KT this specimen knew as much about the location as KT did! :laughing: :laughing: :p :p So just note that the first pair of photos is of a mineral from Scotland and the second pair is from Finland...even makes the post's title incorrect! Since His Majesty took a day to find this out, KT cannot go in and correct the post. Such is life. Anyway, enjoy the photos...the Petalite has been properly relabeled in the Royal Collection, and the photos relabeled in the Spreadsheet and file folder!
 
Only one specimen arrived today, shipped all the way from Germany!

The fluorescent mineral is catapleiite from Norra Karr, Granna, Jonkoping, Jonkoping County, Sweden. The first picture is in natural light and the second in SW 254nm, using both the olde UV Products SW lamp and the new SW Royal Flashlight. KT is happy with the overall look of these photographs and the decent focus of the cell phone camera, even in SW UV. The catapleiite also responses to LW 365nm in the same color, but not as high an intensity, so no pic was taken. Several sources say nTiO6 clusters are the most common activators, but it also may be due to traces of Uranium.

His Majesty had several specimens of this mineral from Arkansas in the Royal Collection, none of which were responsive to UV, all of which were in late gas pockets. The only fluorescent mineral KT ever saw in those late gas pockets was hyaline opal, as coatings on the tips of some natrolite crystals. So We would say that there was little to no U floating around during the formation of those miarolitic gas cavities.

His Majesty is happy with both the focus and color rendition of these two photographs, especially the decent focus of the UV SW response! In the near future, KT will post a couple of photos of the new picture taking set up!

Enjoy the pictures!
 

Attachments

  • Catapleiite, Nora Karr, Granna, Jonkoping, Jonkoping Co., Sweden, natural light.jpg
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  • Catapleiite, Nora Karr, Granna, Jonkoping, Jonkoping Co., Sweden, SW 254nm.jpg
    Catapleiite, Nora Karr, Granna, Jonkoping, Jonkoping Co., Sweden, SW 254nm.jpg
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