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An impressive cabinet-size hyalite opal from the Chalk Mountain Mine, Spruce Pine District, North Carolina, measuring approximately 3½ × 4 x 2 inches and weighing 1 lb 4 oz. The display face is richly coated with pale, glassy hyalite that transforms under shortwave UV into an exceptionally intense electric yellow-green fluorescence, with excellent coverage across the specimen. Its substantial size, strong fluorescent response, uncommon North Carolina locality elevate this specimen well beyond typical commercial hyalite material. Includes original collection labels.
Ex. Liebetrau Collection
This specimen originates from the renowned collection of Albert M. “Al” and Suzanne “Sue” Liebetrau, who spent more than six decades assembling a world-class collection of fine minerals from around the globe. Particularly celebrated for their exceptional fluorescent minerals, the Liebetraus built what has been described as one of the great fluorescent mineral collections in the United States, with specimens selected for quality, rarity, aesthetics, and locality significance.
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.
