Interesting stuff under UV

[steve f]

goldierocks

I am glad you didnt mention beer in your list of radioactive foods.

 

[user 4386]

We were once concerned about arsenic in red wine from vinyards grown on goldfields, so took samples (bought bottles) from a selection. The student who was going to analyse them dropped out, so what the hell - we drank the samples anyway...

 

[Brumble-Gum]

I just read this.
Platypus fur floureseses too!

https://www.sciencealert.com/the-au...st-mammal-discovered-with-fluorescent-fur/amp

 

[user 4386]

I just read this.
Platypus fur floureseses too!

https://www.sciencealert.com/the-au...st-mammal-discovered-with-fluorescent-fur/amp

And corals, sponges, anemones, jellyfish, clams, nudibranchs, shrimp, crabs, worms, fish, opossums, flying squirrels, dog's teeth, some sharks,puffins bills and chameleons bones

 

[sand surfer]

I just read this.
Platypus fur floureseses too!

https://www.sciencealert.com/the-au...st-mammal-discovered-with-fluorescent-fur/amp

Well buggar me Brumble-Gum ,if i am on the locos next year and go to a certain area, i might take the UV torch and have a look ,there is a creek we cross that has platypus in it, on full moon nights if i am out that way i park on the bridge and have crib and watch them play erfect:

 

[user 4386]

I just read this.
Platypus fur fluoresces too!

https://www.sciencealert.com/the-au...st-mammal-discovered-with-fluorescent-fur/amp

Well bugger me Brumble-Gum ,if i am on the locos next year and go to a certain area, i might take the UV torch and have a look ,there is a creek we cross that has platypus in it, on full moon nights if i am out that way i park on the bridge and have crib and watch them play erfect:

Sounds like a hard life.....only worry if you start baying.

 

[Manpa]

I know this technically shouldnt be in this section but they do fluoresce under uv.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12...tasmanian-devils-glow-under-uv-light/12957148

 

[Dr Lex Winter]

LW, most of the radioactive glass that we own came from my mother and they were always on display in my parents house for as long as I can remember, we were not aware of what it was until we got one of the UV lights about 8 years ago, my wife liked them when she saw them a long time ago and they became hers when my parents passed.

I have always wondered why I glowed in the dark, always thought it was the clean living and being a really nice person was the reason, but looks like I was badly mistaken as I have been told by a lot of people. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Graham

Just don't eat it or grind it up and inhale the powder and you should be right.

Although I know it's tempting. Radioactive things taste amazing.

 

[Sstein]

I thought I'd start this to show interesting stuff fluorescing under UV lamps.
Not just minerals, but our currency has some great anti-counterfeit effects using UV lights:
Can you see the bird on our $5 notes (and check out my ciggy lighter handle):
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/6786/1578655571_5_note.jpg
Can you see the manufacture date and serial number:
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/6786/1578655674_5_note_1.jpg
Can you see scorpions in the bush at night? They glow like light houses at 10m using a Convoy S2+ UVA torch. They're everywhere in the Vic GT. In your tent?
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/6786/1578655943_scorpions.jpg
Then check out ladies' UV nail polish, real rubies (glow a brilliant red - not fakes), diamonds (50% glow blue), lichens in rain forests - all sorts of colours.
Hundreds of other things glow when exposed to UV light that you can't see when only illuminated with visible light.
Tonic water glows faint blue, dog/cat piss (well - maybe you don't want to know - don't check your carpets or sofas where they sit).
Also, don't use a UV torch in your hotel room at night - particularly the dunny - well - you really really don't want to know.
No wonder these lights are used by forensics staff.

You have gotten me curious now. These torches, where can they be purchased?

 

[BigWave]

Check the net for Convoy S2+ with the 365nm Nichia LED.

 

[Dihusky]

Check the net for Convoy S2+ with the 365nm Nichia LED.

:Y: Top little torches.

 

[user 4386]

Check the net for Convoy S2+ with the 365nm Nichia LED.

My reservation about any of these is that some fluorescent minerals won't fluoresce at their 365 nm wavelength. For example, 60% of opals fluoresce and UV can be used noodling, but that would not be likely to work with these (need short wave UV - must use goggles). Also I suspect that their intensity is poor (so I would go for the 6W version not the 4W, although still weak). I suspect filters may not be desirable because it would possibly reduce the UV further despite getting rid of much visible light. But good fun when starting out, and a relatively safe wavelength.
http://www.galleries.com/minerals/property/fluotabl.htm#long

Unfortunately short wavelength lamps are much more expensive (e.g. this one is both). Unfortunately it is only 4W so needs to be used under very dark conditions.

https://prospectors.com.au/collecti...-longwave-4-watts-4-aa-batteries-not-included

By the time you get to 8W and 25W they are many hundreds of dollars and mainly mains voltage (good for display cabinets not the field).

I did find this battery-operated model with both long and short wavelength uv bulbs - but still only 4W. I am surprised at their lousy photos though, so would ask around first.

https://www.ebay.com.au/i/253204188...6820&msclkid=ca5e30dacdb818e4608250d3d0daac31

http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eB...category=3220&pm=1&ds=0&t=1545880019000&ver=0

There are also cheap short-wave only battery 4W. I am just concerned that their poor photos might indicate that they give out a fair bit of light in the visible spectrum

Remember, uv goggles ALWAYS with short wave UV (they are very cheap)

Any comments?

 

[user 4386]

Rated wattage is not everything - see this comparison:

https://www.ultravioletphotography....uv-torches-compared/page__p__10923#entry10923

The convoy S2+ performed better than the best of these (191.7 mW/sq cm) - it is generally sold with a filter which given its good output is probably worth having. So yes, probably a great beginner lamp...will keep most people happy unless they get really serious and go for short wave as well

 

[Dihusky]

It's all horses for courses, getting scientific is one thing, but a short wave torch is very handy when checking gem rough, night fossicking in old Tin mining dumps for Topaz, palming and running over a tray of Garnet rough to see if a Ruby has been missed or discovering the Rubies aren't. The list goes on...

For collectors and photographers of Fluorescent minerals higher grade lighting will be the go-to but difficult to carry in the field. Our little Convoys have found us some great material and it's a lot of fun discovering other things that fluoresce that you don't expect.

 

[user 4386]

It's all horses for courses, getting scientific is one thing, but a short wave torch is very handy when checking gem rough, night fossicking in old Tin mining dumps for Topaz, palming and running over a tray of Garnet rough to see if a Ruby has been missed or discovering the Rubies aren't. The list goes on...

For collectors and photographers of Fluorescent minerals higher grade lighting will be the go-to but difficult to carry in the field. Our little Convoys have found us some great material and it's a lot of fun discovering other things that fluoresce that you don't expect.

I agree, although any torch with greater output and less visible light will give you clearer, brighter colours (and the Convoy S2+ is all of that according to reviews). The reason I mentioned short wave is not only the additional minerals that fluoresce, but its greater potential for noodling opal dumps.

 

[UnderEmployedGeo]

Just bought a UV torch and have been making "interesting" discoveries ever since! :8

 

[BigWave]

Today I picked up some Willemite with Calcite from Crystal World in Devon Meadows Victoria. Mined in NJ, USA. Also a piece of Fluorite.
I took my UVC light to select the best, but there were so many great pieces.
they don't really show up until you get them out of the daylight.
Normal light:

Sorry about the focus in low light, but it looks very boring rock.
Then under UVC:

The green is the Willemite, with the red being Calcite. The black is Franklinite (not sure of the white).
Under UVA they also look good, but UVC is better.
Even the experienced staff there had never seen these under UV and were amazed.
Out of around 50 shoppers there, I was the only guy - weird?
I'd better get some more before they jack their prices through the roof, as good pieces from Mt Sterling NJ, USA are expensive to buy on the net.

 

[RM Outback]

Very interesting BW :Y: what's the blue stone.

 

[StoneTheCrows]

BW

What is your goal with these
Do you get them cut and polished or leave as is

If you leave as is do you put them in a cabinet with some form of uv light on them?
Just curious and not even sure if these type of rock get cut

Amazing piccies

 

[goody2shoes]

Beautiful rocks Bigwave :clap: