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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Earth's Hidden Treasures: Exploring the Top 10 Most Common Fluorescent Minerals
Explore the top ten most common fluorescent minerals such as fluorite, opal, calcite, aragonite, willemite, hackmanite and more. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, these remarkable specimens emit a captivating and colorful glow
The Fluorescent Minerals of Greenland - An Overview
We will divide this blog into a 5 series post with a focus on the following areas:
- Overview of Greenland and the Fluorescent Minerals from this Locality
- Kvanefjeld Minerals
- Taseq Slope Minerals
- Tunuliarfik Minerals
- Kangerlussaq Minerals
The Fluorescent Mineral Hobby
Collecting Fluorescent Minerals is an exciting and very satisfying hobby that combines the appreciation of minerals and their unique optical properties. Fluorescent minerals can be found almost anywhere and are often there just for the taking. A spot picked over by daylight mineral rockhounds can be filled with glow rocks at night - the last person never knowing what was left behind.
Glowing Wonders: The Magic of Phosphorescence and Illuminating The Difference Between Fluorescence Vs Phosphorescence
What is Phosphorescence? Phosphorescence is a fascinating optical phenomenon exhibited by certain materials that can absorb and store energy from light or other radiation sources and later emit it in the form of light over an extended period of time. This emission of light persists even after the initial light source is removed. Phosphorescence is often confused with fluorescence, but they are distinct processes.