So, what exactly are fluorescent minerals? Well, “fluorescent” means something is glowing with physical light, and a mineral is a mineral. So, a fluorescent mineral is a raw mineral that glows when exposed to certain types of light. The impurities in the mineral react to the light, and change color.
Gorgeous Colors
Some great examples of minerals that fluoresce are calcite, which glows in various tones of vivid red. It can also glow pale pink. Larensite glows pale violet. Frakenite, for instance, is a black mineral that glows dark green under flourscent light. Calcite is the same, except the green color is much lighter. Flourite, a white mineral, glows pale blue, almost purple. Calcite crystal, meanwhile, turns a gorgeous deep blue. Pectolite glows pure yellow; margarosanite glows violet. Diamonds glow blue, light green or yellow.
Light Is The Key
Light is characterized by its wavelength. When those wavelengths come into contact with minerals, they can make them glow. The minerals absorb the light and reflect it back, which is what makes a mineral fluoresce. UV light, or ultraviolet light, is what activates the fluorescent properties in the minerals. Minerals fluoresce because the electrons in their atoms absorb the light as energy. The atoms go from their ‘ground state’ to the next state above it, and when they drop again, the atoms emit the energy they collected, which is why you see different colors. While the extra energy kick doesn’t last long – maybe around 8-10 seconds, it’s gorgeous nonetheless.
Types of Light
There are two types of ultraviolet light – long wave and shortwave. You’re probably much more familiar with long wave UV light – it’s also known as “black light.” Shortwave UV light have shorter wavelengths than long wave. Among the types of minerals that fluoresce under long wave UV light are agate, aragonite, calcite, brucite, barite, zircon, magnesite, opal and quartz. Minerals that flourescue under shortwave UV light include celesite, hanksite, barite, ruby, amber, sodalite, talc, adamite, and gypsum. Some minerals even fluoresce under both wavelengths! However, not all minerals fluoresce under light. Some even have the same color no matter how much light you subject them to.
Practical Uses, Too
Recently, companies have started using fluorescent minerals in everyday things as well. Fluorescent lights are used in all sorts of things - in lamps, flashlights, and light bulbs. The synthetic coating inside fluorescent light bulbs is based off a fluorescent mineral, and fluorescent lights are considered better for the environment. Fluorescent lights were invented by Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel. Fluorescent minerals are also used to help make fabrics whiter, and synthetic fluorescent minerals are used to produce the phosphor color dots found in TVs and computer CRT displays.
Beautiful And Practical
Since fluorescent minerals have so many uses, it’s perfectly acceptable to love them – either just as something you like to display and look at, or as something to use to make your everyday life a little greener.
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