Blacklight for opal fossicking?

[Bob Billingham]

I am looking to buy a blacklight torch for opal noodling, can anyone suggest the best value torch and where to get it?

 

[grubstake]

There's lots of details and discussion in this thread, Bob:
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/threads/fluorescent-torches-lamps.33109/

There's cheap UV torches on eBay, etc, but I'm not sure how well they would work with opal and gems, as they may produce the wrong frequency UV light. I think you need to go to a geology/prospecting tools supplier to be sure you're getting something that will work well. Unfortunately, those ones aren't cheap - see this page that I just googled:
https://prospectors.com.au/search?type=product&q=uv

 

[Bob Billingham]

There's lots of details and discussion in this thread, Bob:
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/threads/fluorescent-torches-lamps.33109/

There's cheap UV torches on eBay, etc, but I'm not sure how well they would work with opal and gems, as they may produce the wrong frequency UV light. I think you need to go to a geology/prospecting tools supplier to be sure you're getting something that will work well. Unfortunately, those ones aren't cheap - see this page that I just googled:
https://prospectors.com.au/search?type=product&q=uv

Thank you for your advice 🙏 ☺️

 

[Hawkear]

There are cheaper ones available from our Chinese friends on Temu and Aliexpress I think too. Maybe also check on eBay or Amazon too.
I bought the one pictured below on Temu for $75 which also included 4 rechargeable 18650 lithium batteries and a USB charging cable.
It is a 120W 365 nm wavelength black filtered torch and seems to throw a good beam to the ground up to maybe 5 or so meters which should be sufficient for hunting fluorescent minerals on the ground.
I read a bit about them before buying and apparently 365 nm wavelength is better than the 395 nm wavelength version for most minerals including opal.
They should also have black filtering which refers to an optical filter in front of the UV LEDs which prevents visible light also emitted by the LEDs from overwhelming the fluorescent effect.
A strong UV beam needs a fair amount of power. Mine is 120W but you may be able get away with an 80W unit but for the sake of a few extra dollars maybe not worth the savings.
Whatever avoid the very cheap types that are even lower power, lower frequency 395 nm wavelength and lack a black filter.
The second image is our kitchen table with remote control at a distance of maybe 3 meters.
The third is a view of the ground along our driveway showing up a bit of whipper snipper cord and a bit of blue fluorescing material I think.
If you do decide to buy one, keep it away from your wife, Do not let her shine it anywhere near the toilet area, she will have a fit.