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FLUORESCENT MINERALS

FLUORESCENCE IS CAUSED BY THE EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION FROM ULTRAVIOLET (UV) BULBS.  THE TYPES OF FLUORESCENT LAMPS USED BY MINERALOGISTS ARE SHORT AND LONG WAVE ONES.  THESE WAVES EXCITE ELECTRONS IN THE MINERALS, RELEASING LIGHT.  THE WAVELENGTH OF THE LIGHT RELEASED IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL LIGHT SOURCE AND CAUSES A COLOR CHANGE IN THE ROCK OUR EYES CAN SEE.  THIS IS CALLED FLUORESCENCE.  THE MINES, FRANKLIN AND STERLING HILL, OF FRANKLIN, SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, HAVE PRODUCED APPROXIMATELY 350 DIFFERENT MINERALS AND ABOUT 80 OF THOSE FLUORESCE.  SOME MINERALS, LIKE CALCITE AND WILLEMITE*, CONTINUE TO GLOW AFTER THE UV LIGHT IS TURNED OFF.  THIS PHENOMENON IS KNOW AS PHOSPHORESCENCE.   SHORT WAVE LAMPS WILL SHOW YOU MORE AND USUALLY BRIGHTER COLORS IN MINERALS.   

*BROWN WILLEMITE, UNDER REGULAR LIGHT, IS CALLED "TROOSTITE". 

 

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