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This is a fluorescent, Pleistocene age (approx. 1-2 mya) Mercenaria permagna clam fossil from the famous Rucks' Pit site in Fort Drum, Florida. During the fossilization process of these clams, the calcium carbonate from the original shell material dissolved and recrystalized as beautiful, honey-colored, scalenohedral, calcite crystals within a few vugs on the shell. A mixture of coquina and fluorescent calcite covers the entire second side.
The resulting calcite is brightly fluorescent under all wavelengths of UV, and also displays phosphorescence. The exterior of the shell is encrusted with the coquina from which it was removed.
They were nicknamed "Yooperlites" which is derived from the name “yooper”. A yooper is a nickname for the Upper Peninsula natives and these fluorescent stones quickly gained fame. After data was published on these fluorescent stones, it was discovered that sodalite is the actual true mineral that is fluorescing orange.
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
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.
