RJB Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 Hey everybody. Ive ran into some opalized belemnites that I bought about 25 years ago. I don't know what kind of lighting is best to show the colors of them? I did a google search and got everything under the sun except for what I was looking for. Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 Hi, If they are calcite, I think I would better light from behind, to see the color by transparency. It is not necessarily easy, we have to find how to do it but I have no doubt that you will know ! Coco 1 ---------------------- OUTIL POUR MESURER VOS FOSSILES : ici Ma bibliothèque PDF 1 (Poissons et sélaciens récents & fossiles) : ici Ma bibliothèque PDF 2 (Animaux vivants - sans poissons ni sélaciens) : ici Mâchoires sélaciennes récentes : ici Hétérodontiques et sélaciens : ici Oeufs sélaciens récents : ici Otolithes de poissons récents ! ici Un Greg... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranzBernhard Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 15 minutes ago, RJB said: opalized belemnites 15 minutes ago, RJB said: kind of lighting is best to show the colors of them? Full spectrum light, aka sunlight. Or a spectral equivalent light source. Oh, these can be rather nice things: Opalized belemnites (link to g. pic results) Franz Bernhard 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 Oh, I didn’t read they were in opal ! I told you nonsense ! Coco ---------------------- OUTIL POUR MESURER VOS FOSSILES : ici Ma bibliothèque PDF 1 (Poissons et sélaciens récents & fossiles) : ici Ma bibliothèque PDF 2 (Animaux vivants - sans poissons ni sélaciens) : ici Mâchoires sélaciennes récentes : ici Hétérodontiques et sélaciens : ici Oeufs sélaciens récents : ici Otolithes de poissons récents ! ici Un Greg... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted March 2, 2022 Author Share Posted March 2, 2022 26 minutes ago, Coco said: Oh, I didn’t read they were in opal ! I told you nonsense ! No need to fret. You were just trying to help. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kmiecik Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 3 hours ago, FranzBernhard said: Full spectrum light, aka sunlight. Or a spectral equivalent light source. Took the words right out of my mouth. 1 1 Mark. Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted March 3, 2022 Author Share Posted March 3, 2022 13 hours ago, Mark Kmiecik said: Or a spectral equivalent light source. For my next question: How does one go about finding this 'spectral equivalent' light source? RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranzBernhard Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, RJB said: 'spectral equivalent' light source? Full spectrum light bulbs (link to g. result) Spectrum should be as close as possible to midday sunlight (Color temperature around 6000 K). Note: An incandescent bulb is also full spectrum, but heavily shifted to red (Color temperature around 3000 K). Color temperature (link to external site) But why not using sunlight? A somewhat overcast sky should not be a problem. Well, very dark clouds are. Franz Bernhard Edited March 3, 2022 by FranzBernhard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 Are looking for lighting for photography or for display? If for display you may also need to consider things like UV output and heat. Some lamps like halogens can put out a fair amount of destructive ultraviolet. I don't know it's affects on opal but it can be bad for some minerals. And you don't want to turn a display case into a small oven either. But if this is just to get some kick butt photos then I suggest the real thing, a bright sunny day. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opalbug Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 When I was heavy into opals long ago, I was using 100 watt Chromalux Full Spectrum bulbs to light up my opals indoors. They seem very to work very well and are still on the market. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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