MinerShop Blog

Welcome to the MinerShop blog. We write about pretty much anything that sparks our interest. We've sorted our articles into the categories below.

Longwave 365nm UV Lights: Blacklight Tubes vs. LEDs

Longwave 365nm UV Lights: Blacklight Tubes vs. LEDs

365nm UV light is often called "blacklight". Before the advent of longwave UV LEDs, blacklight fluorescent tubes, (the kinds used in hippie days to light up psychedelic posters) were the standard longwave UV light for our hobby. They were not very powerful but they did light a large area.

Enter 365nm UV LEDs

 

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fluorescent minerals under 365nm uv flashlight and 395nm unfiltered uv flashlight

What's The Difference Between a 365nm and a 395nm UV Flashlight?

First, an animation showing the difference between the UV flashlight we recommend (365nm filtered UV flashlight) versus unfiltered 395nm UV flashlights we see many folks carrying around at shows. So. much. visible purple light. We selected a bunch of rocks as a demonstration. Took pictures of them under his flashlight without the filter and then with the filter.

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waterfall in middle tn

Fluorescent Green Agate from Scott's Gulf, Smryna, Tennessee

A major component of rock collecting (for us) is simply getting out in nature. A buddy dragged us out to a very remote area here in middle Tennessee to hunt for fluorescent green agate. Since we consider ourselves pure "Glow Hounds" we weren't anticipating any glow rocks, just the beauty of the area, but we brought our UV lights anyway.

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green fluorescing quartz on calcite

Quartz Crystals on Calcite - San Antonio Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico

Small delicate crystals of bright green fluorescing quartz are peppered around a matrix of calcite on this striking specimen.
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sodalite from greenland displaying tenebrescence

"Red" Sodalite (Hackmanite) - Deeply Tenebrescent Greenland Mineral

Red sodalite is named for the color it takes on when exposed to sunlight; it is nicely tenebrescent under longwave UV. Under shortwave UV the color deepens, in seconds, to almost black in some areas. 
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Apatite on Sodalite under Midwave UV

A Short Study on Rare Occurrences of Apatite from the Ilimaussaq Complex, Greenland

Rarest of the rare from Greenland - apatite has only been observed in a handful of pieces over the decade+ we have been exploring Greenland. Blue apatite crystals fluorescing under UV.
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fantasy rock from greenland with tugtupite chkalovite analcime polylithionite

Crack that Rock! (You never know what's inside)

Crack it! This has been our mantra for years, told to new folks we've guided into the mountains of Greenland. For ten years, we guided groups of 5 to 7 people into the mountains and put them on the best collecting spots in the Ilimaussaq Complex. 
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sodalite (hackmanite), tugtupite, chkalovite, analcime from greenland

Sodalite (Hackmanite), Tugtupite, Chkalovite, Analcime(?) - Ilimaussaq Complex, Greenland

This material is striking. The sodalite appears as crystal blebs in matrix, with a few spots of tugtupite encircling a bright white chkalovite.
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calcite and willemite with phosphorescence

Catching the Afterglow - Taking Pictures of Phosphorescent Minerals

Many minerals exhibit an afterglow or phosphorescence when the UV light is turned off. This glow can last for milliseconds or hours depending on the mineral. Some are very bright while others are barely perceptible.
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a piece of fluorescent sodalite hackmanite showing its tenebrescence

Greenland Sodalite Hackmanite - Quick Change Artist, Tenebrescent Champion

Tenebrescence of Greenland fluorescent sodalite is amazing. This is a piece of a deeply tenebrescent sodalite. Note how when the shortwave light is first turned on, the sodalite fluoresces a bright orange but almost immediately shifts to a burnt orange as the tenebrescence sets in.
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blue fluorite, green willemite, red calcite under uv light

Willemite, Calcite, Fluorite from the Garpenberg Mine in Sweden

The Garpenberg mine is located in Bergslagen, a very old mining area in the southern part of Sweden.

The mine is very active today and is one of Europe's most progressive underground mining operations. Collecting is not possible, and the few specimens that reach collector's hands are highly prized. The mineralogy is quite similar to that of Franklin NJ. 

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fluorescent mineral specimen of tugtupite, sodalite

Common Questions About Fluorescent Minerals – An FAQ Guide

Fluorescent minerals can be fascinating to those who discover these hidden treasures and they often raise various questions. Here are some common questions related to fluorescent minerals.
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