Blu-ray rock and mineral fluorescence thread!

[rocketparrotlet]

Everyone who has seen a blu-ray laser knows about the amazing fluorescence that can be observed with a rock collection. Because there are so many different threads about individual fluorescence phenomena, I thought that it would be best if there was a single thread where all rock and mineral fluorescence can be posted. This way, everything is in one place and we will be able to talk about fluorescence we have observed in a way that would spread the information very efficiently.

I would like this thread to be a resource where people can post their favorite fluorescence with information about what rock/mineral fluoresces what color with what effects, etc. Pictures are not necessary, but would be nice if you can.

Please contribute if you have something to share, or if you want to know what a certain mineral is by its fluorescence.

Thanks!

-Mark

 

[rocketparrotlet]

Here is my favorite: a ruby.  It is much more beautiful in person; sorry the pictures aren't so good.  A blu-ray makes the entire stone glow deep fuschia, and it is truly amazing.  You can obtain rubies fairly cheap; this one is about 8 mm by 5 mm, and it was only $4.

-Mark

 

[davidgdg]

Wow.

Is the fluorescene visible at all after the beam is removed?

 

[daguin]

Is the fluorescene visible at all after the beam is removed?

<restated correctly>

Is it also phosphorescent?

or

Does the stone also display phosphorescence?



It's OK to sound like and/or be a geek.

Geeks run the world.

The "cool" people work for them

Peace,
dave

 

[davidgdg]

Yup I ignoranto-illiterated myself there ;-)

Wiki tells me the answer to my question is no - Rubies are fluorescent, not phosphorescent.

The pics look amazing. Hard to believe that the fluorescence is not drowned out by the violet of the beam. Why is that I wonder?

 

[daguin]

Yup I ignoranto-illiterated myself there ;-)

Wiki tells me the answer to my question is no - Rubies are fluorescent, not phosphorescent.

The pics look amazing. Hard to believe that the fluorescence is not drowned out by the violet of the beam. Why is that I wonder?

Rubies (especially synthetic rubies) fluoresce VERY brightly.  Some minerals will fluoresce brightly enough to easily be seen over the "blaze" of the laser.  However, even more will only fluoresce weakly.  I use an unfocused beam and/or shine the laser beam through a diffraction grating to see the more subtle colors.

Peace,
dave

 

[davidgdg]

Tnx. Can't wait to try it. Does green work at all or is only with 405?

Do you know/anybody know of any online sellers of cheap fluorescent rock samples?

 

[daguin]

Tnx. Can't wait to try it. Does green work at all or is only with 405?

Do you know/anybody know of any online sellers of cheap fluorescent rock samples?

532nm light will cause some things to fluoresce (as will many other wavelengths). Ultra violet light is just better at it and does not interfere with the perception of it as much. 405nm light is NEAR UV so you will see more.

Just search eBay for fluorescent minerals. You will get several hits on inexpensive collections of fluorescent stones.

Peace,
dave

 

[Switch]

That is a CRAZY collection!!! Is that a regular blacklight bulb or deeper UV?

 

[daguin]

That is a CRAZY collection!!! Is that a regular blacklight bulb or deeper UV?

I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.   That is just a picture snagged of off the web.  It is lit by diffuse UV light.  I just used it to illustrate the many colors that could be seen with less dazzle.

My collection is more extensive than what is in that picture, but it is spread out throughout my office and specimen drawers (and living room, and bedroom, and safe, and garage, and sheds, etc.)  

My office alone has over 50 fluorescent "targets" in it

Peace,
dave

 

[randomlugia]

Is peridot fluorescent? I have some, but I'm still building my blu-ray.

 

[rocketparrotlet]

My office alone has over 50 fluorescent "targets" in it

Wow! The only fluorescent rocks I have are these:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2JNtKHUX3s[/media]

(Sorry, the video's not very good quality.) I'm going to need to get some more fluorescent rocks! Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to dim the beam significantly (without adjusting the current) so that it can be used safely indoors? Like, any optics from the PHR sled, etc.?

-Mark

 

[Greenhorn]

532nm light will cause some things to fluoresce (as will many other wavelengths).  Ultra violet light is just better at it and does not interfere with the perception of it as much.  405nm light is NEAR UV so you will see more.

Just search eBay for fluorescent minerals.  You will get several hits on inexpensive collections of fluorescent stones.

Peace,
dave

Yeah, I didn't realize regular visible light caused things to fluoresce until a few weeks ago when I shined (shone?) a green laser through olive oil and it made an orange-red beam. Red lasers probably flouresce too, but they'd probably fluoresce in the infrared.

 

[rocketparrotlet]

Next rock and gem show around here is in February...ugh...

What will they think about some random guy shining a violet laser on their samples?  Who knows...(Don't worry, I will fully unscrew the focusing module to make it safe.)

EDIT: Typo

-Mark

 

[randomlugia]

[quote author=daguin link=1227575076/0#9 date=1228322239]My office alone has over 50 fluorescent "targets" in it

(Sorry, the video's not very good quality.) I'm going to need to get some more fluorescent rocks!  Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to dim the beam significantly (without adjusting the current) so that it can be used safely indoors?  Like, any optics from the PHR sled, etc.?

-Mark[/quote]

Optical filters. You could get a 405nm filter off of Ebay.

 

[suiraM]

What will they think about some random guy shining a violet laser on their samples?  Who knows...(Don't worry, I will fully unscrew the focusing module to make it safe.)

I haven't tried it at an expo, but I did try it at a local gemstone dealership, and they were quite fascinated and indeed kept bringing me different samples to try. They even wanted to know where they might get one, although I think they would be happier with a focused LED based one instead. We also used it to compare the results of different grinding and cutting oils, since some of those apparently tended to soak into the stone (incidentally, dyed rock slices make a very interesting effect).

I'll see if I can bring the camera one day. Would be pretty neat.

Incidentally, ruby rods can be pumped into lasing at 694nm using a 405nm laser, but they're mostly good for pulses, I hear... something about heating up real quickly (the optical energy that builds up when you excite ruby in a cavity, or cut a reflective facet on a rod, is immense- it will punch through thin sheets of metal).