Mineral of the Month: Aragonite
As your trusted source for fluorescent minerals, we've chosen aragonite as the current "Mineral of the Month" to share with you.
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
Kangerlussaq Minerals - The Fluorescent Minerals of Greenland – Part 5
The Kangerluarsuk Fjord forms the southeast boundary of the Ilimaussaq Complex. Like Tunulliarfik, the fjord cuts right through the complex. Steep cliffs rise from each side of the fjord. A large, relatively flat, rock-strewn area is located at the end of the fjord and is one of the three most productive areas in the complex.
Tunuliarfik Minerals - The Fluorescent Minerals of Greenland – Part 4
The Tunulliarfik Fjord cuts right through the middle of the Ilimaussaq Complex. Traveling by boat from Narsaq the sights are wondrous; the deep blue water of the fjords broken by massive white and blue icebergs contrasts remarkably to the rocky cliffs and sparse vegetation on either side of the fjord. Upon approaching the transition zone into the complex the appearance of the land changes abruptly.
The Columbia Mine - Kentucky
Located in southwest Kentucky, the Columbia Mine was opened by Andrew Jackson in the early 1800's. It is situated in the famous Illinois-Kentucky fluorospar belt and is but one of hundreds of little mines that have operated in this area from 1800 to the late 20th century. Nearby are several other mines (Eureka and others) but the Columbia so far has been the only one to produce significant fluorescent specimens.
Kvanefjeld Minerals - The Fluorescent Minerals of Greenland – Part 3
Atop Kvanefjeld one is greeted with a wonderful view of the valley below, Narsaq in the distance, and the iceberg dotted fjords. It is easy to spend the entire day exploring the relatively flat areas at the top, and digging through the years of tailings that the locals have amassed while searching for gem red tugtupite.
Rocks and Lox in Norway
The list of fluorescents includes leucophanite and closely related meliphanite, feldspar, sodalite, rosenbuschite, helvite, apatite and zircon. Our original plan was based on the fact that despite the variety of fluorescents available, collecting at Langesundsfjord has always been done without the benefit of UV lamps. This same situation has led to the amazing and continuing underestimation of Ilimaussaq as a fluorescent collecting paradise.
Taseq Slope Minerals - The Fluorescent Minerals of Greenland – Part 2
There are three areas of interest on the Taseq Slopes: the eastern slopes, middle slopes, and western slopes. Only the western slopes have been extensively surveyed (by H. Sorensen and others in the mid 60’s). This area is noted for the heavy concentrations of beryllium, and produces some fantastic specimens. The middle slopes and eastern slopes both produce great examples of sodalite and tugtupite, along with a myriad of unidentified species.
Fluorescent Mineral Collecting In and Around Langban, Sweden (2010)
The approximately five-hour drive to Filipstad, in the State of Värmland, Sweden meandered through beautiful Norwegian rural areas (we kept hearing this voice say "recalculating"), before reaching a major highway in Sweden.
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.