A 20lb rock under blacklight turns pink.

G Freeman

Sr. Member
Aug 22, 2013
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Southwest Virginia
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Fisher Gold Bug.
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All Treasure Hunting
I know the pictures are not that good but wanted to show the color pink or pinkish red under blacklight. This rock is at least as hard as quartz and the green in it came out as blue. Don't know what it is made of but sparkles all over in regular light, thanks for looking. Steves new car and rock with black light 013.JPGSteves new car and rock with black light 014.JPGSteves new car and rock with black light 018.JPGSteves new car and rock with black light 022.JPG
 

BruntBear, this is the rock I showed you that I had in the truck if you remember. Had the green in it and you said it looked like Aquamarine.
 

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Yeah BB it sure is a neat color and I am not sure what caused it. The black light does seem to put that color and shine that color anyway. So it just might be the color of the black light causing it to be that color. Is that possible? Thanks. Any way I am still learning.
 

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Most of the coloration I can see is due to the black light itself. The pinks are probably calcite or a closely related calcium mineral. I'm not sure on the blue your reporting unless there is a combination of some sort occurring with the stones actual coloration and green fluorescence which some crystalline quartz does exhibit under shortwave. My thoughts.
 

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Thanks DDancer for your thoughts and it helps a lot. I am still trying to figure out a lot of things and the reasons it is like it is. Now its time for more research.
 

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Are you using a filter over the camera? I definitely see bright pink little crystals in photos 2 & 3 you posted. Those are probably calcium-related as DDancer stated. That specimen is so unique. I have a good feeling if you find a pegmatite on your property; you're probably going to find some Beryl specimens. It's more plausible than not. Beryl specimens have been unearthed in far more localities than the general Spruce Pine and Hiddenite mining districts.
 

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Yeah BB it is unique and no about the filter over the camera. As far as calcite goes it is only 3 on Moh's scale and I can't scratch this specimen with quartz so it must be at least 7 on Moh's scale for hardness. Like I said buddy more research. What kind of filter do I need to go over the camera? Thanks.
 

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Most of the coloration I can see is due to the black light itself. The pinks are probably calcite or a closely related calcium mineral. I'm not sure on the blue your reporting unless there is a combination of some sort occurring with the stones actual coloration and green fluorescence which some crystalline quartz does exhibit under shortwave. My thoughts.
Good info, DD. The green under short wave, in quartz, is usually caused by uranium.
Jim
 

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I've been looking at the flashlight style black light and was wondering if you had any recommendations, thanks any ways.
If you do a lot of searching. You can get a longwave and a shortwave bulb then put them in a battery coleman lantern. Price if you can find a used lantern on Craigs list is around $19. Gives you the ability to switch between both wavelengths or if you mod the switch you can use both. I did a post on this a ways back. Been using this for searching buildings for wall pendants for years. Please do a little research on safety for your eyes, glasses are cheaper than smoked retinas.

Cool trick from the 60s! Stay in a room with your blacklight for a half hour or so. Then walk out into normal light. Everythings green. Wow! Farm out! Right arm, outta state man. (In my best Cheech Marin voice.):laughing7:
 

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Hey boogeyman good advice and thanks for the info. I had just got into this blacklight stuff and thanks for your reply and help. Maybe I will get there.
 

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Boogeyman, I somehow survived the 60's and could never spend a half hour with a black light. Do you have any other alternatives? Inagottadavetta!
 

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Loco oro, Sure is good to hear from you again. Sure have missed you.
 

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