Mineral Fluorescence

[@karhukivi]

A 365 nm UV lamp is cheaper, safer and will work with almost all minerals except scheelite. They are also brighter as the 254 nm light "solarizes" the filter over time and gradually becomes opaque.

[@DollarsignMaestrOlivier]

Awesome video! I have a question. Could these minerals be worn as jewelry? Is there a list of the sample be made available? Thanks!

[@TMartScience]

Certainly some of these may be worn as jewelry... although one should be careful, some minerals that are fluorescent contain Uranium which is radioactive. Many types of calcite are fluorescent but that is quite soft (Mohs 3 -not good for jewelry) Others are quite un-remarkable in visible light. That said, It is worth noting that rubies are brilliantly fluorescent as well as many diamonds.

[@blessedcocoa5729]

@TMartScience are there any that are phosphorescent that could be used as jewelry. Similar to emberlite?

[@karhukivi]

No, they all look glassy and boring under visible light. They would glow under the UV lights in a night club however.

[@yatagarauchiha6620]

Astonishing!!!

[@Srthunter392]

What was the phosphorescent rock called?

[@TMartScience]

Unfortunately I am not sure... it was in a collection of fluorescent minerals when I realized that it was also phosphorescent.

[@iyumenisch2570]

is that mean if i use a mineral like this i have a lamp in the night, like a natural mineral lamp with blue, green or red, or yellow light?

[@TMartScience]

Not likely. These minerals only glow when they are exposed to a constant source of ultraviolet light.

[@iyumenisch2570]

@@TMartScience unusual, cause i heard about stones that glow after sunlight in the night. thanks for answer

[@DowaHawkiin]

@@iyumenisch2570 search for Lake Superior Agates, they can glow at night, i think.

[@enchodus]

well done!!!

[@grantstahly2514]

Wat color dose a rubyturn in this light if it is real

[@grantstahly2514]

Can u tell me wat color will show if the runy is teal

[@TMartScience]

@@grantstahly2514 Ruby will fluoresce a bright red in some long-wavelength UV. It actually fluoresces quite well with a 405nm blue/violet laser.

[@AllinOne-xk4km]

How can i make uv fluorescent ink?

[@karhukivi]

Any highlighter pen uses fluorescent ink.

[@richardzahumensky427]

Hey, where can I buy a 254nm lamp like this?

[@TMartScience]

This one was pricey... From Wards science. www.wardsci.com/store/catalog/product.jsp?catalog_number=470204-310

[@damedesmontagnes]

Wow...

[@darkdragon1194]

My anxiety spiked when I witnessed the apparent lack of concern of exposing your skin (and possibly eyes) to the 254nm UV light. DNA's peak absorption of UV light is at 260nm. So 254nm can easily damage DNA and you corneas.

[@TMartScience]

Always be careful....especially with eyes. And remember Duration of exposure matters. A few second one-time demo for a video, or once a year demo for class is much less than many other sources of short wavelength EM energy.