Purple Iris

UV Light Fluorescent Calcite

This very fluorescent mineral specimen was found in Franklin, New Jersey.  When exposed to shortwave ultraviolet light it turns a reddish-orange (calcite areas).  The green specks are willemite.

Fluorescent Troostite and Calcite

Fluorescent troostite (green) and calcite (red) found in Franklin, New Jersey.  Thanks to Milt for letting me use his UV light.

Fluorescent Troostite

Pictures of the mineral troostite (variety of willemite) found in Franklin, New Jersey.  Thanks to Milt for showing me this specimen.

Fluorescent Wernerite (Scapolite)

This mineral produces a strong yellow color when exposed to longwave ultraviolet (UV) light. It is called wernerite a variation of scapolite. The label for this mineral lists it as being from Otter Bay, Canada. I could not find any reference to this locality but did find that scapolite was found at Otter Lake, Québec, Canada.


Specimen is approximately 4 cm x 4 cm x 3 cm in size.


H.C. Dake 1953 book The Uranium and Fluorescent Minerals describes wernerite 'is generally regarded as one of the strongest of all long wave mineral "fluorescents."'.


According to mindat.org this mineral was named in 1800 from Abraham Gottlob Werner (1749-1817) who was a German mineralogy professor.


It is for sale on eBay CLICK HERE

Fluorescent Fluorite from Rogerly Mine, England

The Rogerly Mine of England produces amazing UV fluorescent fluorite.  It is normal a green fluorite in visible light but take it outside in bright sunlight and it starts turning blue.  Longwave ultraviolet (UV) light turns this fluorite blue/purple.

Hardystonite - Franklin, New Jersey

This specimen was bought from the Franklin Museum at Franklin, New Jersey.  It was obtained October 10, 1970.  It has a great orange glow under ultraviolet light.

Derby Hats!

Since this is Kentucky Derby weekend, it seemed like a good idea to post pictures of hats on display at the Louisville Science Center.  These hats were carefully selected from the larger apparel collection stored at the Louisville Science Center.  It is part of an exhibit entitled "Hats! Reflections in Time".  All the hats have labels describing the specimen and listing the donor.

Since the Louisville's star attraction, The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 7, 2011, the Louisville Science Center is closed so for visitors still in town on Sunday or beyond visit the science center and view this classy exhibit in the Discovery Gallery on the second floor.

Learn more that the Louisville Science Center web site.