Pitviper Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Forgive the off topic-ness but there some fossils in the story, I promise! So I found out about (on this forum) that there's a mine nearby that produces some beautiful fluorescent rocks. Another member, Anthony, (don't know your screen name buddy) suggested we meet up. As it happens we must have pulled in to the parking lot at the same time. He might have recognized me because I was wearing the same rediculous hat as in my profile picture (I hate the sun way more than I hate that hat). Anthony was well prepared, and he even had some recent cretacous brook finds to show me He helped me out with some information on what to look for, which later turned out to be a big help, thanks dude! When we went inside to buy blacklights we noticed they had fossils for sale. I got a couple of nice otodus teeth and a nice little trilobite for just a few bucks. I was happy, I like this place. So we head out to the main quarry area, and initially I trail Anthony around for a bit. Pretty quickly we start finding stuff, though you could just barely see it, even in the shade. After some time my brother and I gathered up our finds and head to a dark shed where they have a big blacklight set up. I was amazed at how bright the colours were! I couldn't believe it! The one photographed I actually found in the throwback pile! I'm definitely going back for more. The fossil forum once again provides me with a great day out in the natural world, I wish I'd found this site sooner http://bryandugganphotography.smugmug.com/...602579156_BKgDD Normal light... Shortwave light... "Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleoRon Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 If you have a long/short wave lamp try it on your fossils. You might be surprised at what you see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordpiney Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 cool stuff brian. i havent been to sterling hill in years. i have bags of gravel from there that are unbelievably colorful under short wave. check out a belemnite under short wave when you get a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenixflood Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Awesome, if you find extra send it my way Cool stuff! The soul of a Fossil Hunter is one that is seeking, always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brachiomyback Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Very interesting topic..... Now I'm wondering what my Green Mill Run Belemnites would look like. Any recommendation / feedback / reviews on brands that have both long/short capability that won't break the bank? Since its UV... is eye protection recommended while using these lights? ...just wondering - Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jax Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Those are very cool! I have always liked those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwin Ahoy Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 It certainly was a good day out. You're right, your hat gave you away! I'm glad you got out of there with some good stuff you liked. I got some nice stuff, myself. I stayed behind a little too late in the pit, since right at the end, I found a bunch of apatite crystals, which happened to be in a pretty good sized rock. One of my favorite finds out there was still that azurite, though the apatites are really nice, and I've got a couple things I'm not sure of yet. I'll try to get some pics tomorrow and post them, though my camera doesn't do well at macro stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordpiney Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Very interesting topic..... Now I'm wondering what my Green Mill Run Belemnites would look like.Any recommendation / feedback / reviews on brands that have both long/short capability that won't break the bank? Since its UV... is eye protection recommended while using these lights? ...just wondering - Brad here's a link to a decient one on ebay. it's got two days and change to go on it. and while you should never look directly at shortwave light, as it will give you welders flash, you dont need eye protection. http://cgi.ebay.com/SPECTROLINE-UV-ULTRAVI...id=p3286.c0.m14 you will like the way your belemnites look under shortwave, and im willing to bet that you have other fossils that will fluoresce under shortwave as well. id like to see if those geodizied brachiopods light up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinthemud Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Ahh! I looked right into the black light on that link! Ahh! But I love Flourescent minerals! Did you know there are some phosphorescent minerals? (they will still glow AFTER the blacklight has been removed!) it sounds like you had a great time there... i am definately stopping by when im in town... what is the name of the place? "To do is to be." -Socrates "People are Stupid." -Wizard's First Rule "Happiness is a warm Jeep." -Auspex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Menser Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Nice finds though where are they from? Looks like the mix that is known as Franklinite. If so it will go nuts under shortwave. One of the coolest things about blacklight is what it does to fossil teeth - particularly mammal teeth. White river and Chinese skulls have bizzare effects under longwave. It is I think, a very underappreaciated aspect of this hobby. Thank you for shedding "Light" on it.. Be true to the reality you create. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitviper Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 The mine is called the Stirling Hill Mine in Ogdensburg NJ. To whomever guessed Franklinite, I believe that's what is found in the area, but I'm a complete beginner in this arena. Someone mentioned phosphorescence, I don't know the difference between that and fluorescence (?), but some of my rocks glow for about 15 seconds after the light is turned off, does that count?? I must say, the tour of the mine was way better than I anticipated, I was really surprised. We only spend a minute or two in what's referred to as the rainbow room but thankfully I had a camera with a tripod so I was able to snap a quick before and after shot. Thanks to Phil for the recommendation on the light, the one they sell you at the gift shop is cheap enough at only $30 but I can see wanting something with a few more horse power if I'm gonna do this for real "Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I got into fluorescing minerals & fossils after noticing that my one Petroski (sp?) stone glowed under UV. I took a look at some other fossils and found a handful that fluoresce. Petroski stone (mine was from glacial debris in SW Ohio.) = Lt blue/green A few Cincinnatian fossils from some of the "red" Dalmanella layers = deep red Texas Cretaceous oysters from the Austin Chalk near Hutto,TX = orange & yellow & large chunks of calcite pulled from the same outcrop glow real nice too NJ Belemnites = orange Miscellaneous vuggy brachs of OH, KY IN & NY (pretty hit or miss) = mostly lt blue, green when they do Having a short wave lamp will increase what you find since some stuff only glows under short wave UV but a cheap little long wave lamp from the party store will also light stuff up nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinthemud Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 yeah, when the things glow after the light is removed, that is phosphorescence... Ive never actually had a specimen that does it, but i know tey exist! and yours does! great find, im jealous! "To do is to be." -Socrates "People are Stupid." -Wizard's First Rule "Happiness is a warm Jeep." -Auspex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traviscounty Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I think I've decided on an interior for my house! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest N.AL.hunter Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Mammal fossils from the White River Formation/Brule/Chadron? Look really nice under UV, specially their teeth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitviper Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 yeah, when the things glow after the light is removed, that is phosphorescence... Ive never actually had a specimen that does it, but i know tey exist! and yours does! great find, im jealous! Give me your address, and I'll mail you a piece (really). If you've got something in your fossil collection you want to send my way, great, otherwise pls enjoy it as a small gift "Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenixflood Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Give me your address, and I'll mail you a piece (really).If you've got something in your fossil collection you want to send my way, great, otherwise pls enjoy it as a small gift I'd be willing to do the same thing if you offered me the same deal (that is send you something) Just send me a pm The soul of a Fossil Hunter is one that is seeking, always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinthemud Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Alright! Sent you a PM! and by the sounds of it, you might need to go back and get a stock supply! ;-) "To do is to be." -Socrates "People are Stupid." -Wizard's First Rule "Happiness is a warm Jeep." -Auspex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitviper Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 Hey Phoenixflood, I'll gladly send you a piece. Just shoot me a PM with your address I'm going back next month and I plan on bringing a lot more pieces home this time. I'll post something at the end of August and anyone who wants a piece can have one. "Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haddy Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Hey Phoenixflood, I'll gladly send you a piece. Just shoot me a PM with your address I'm going back next month and I plan on bringing a lot more pieces home this time. I'll post something at the end of August and anyone who wants a piece can have one. I'd like to go also, but probably will wait until it's a little cooler out, like maybe October or so. I'm having too much fun collecting in warm water and kayaking! This link has minerals for sale for those who want larger quantities: http://sterlinghillminingmuseum.org/sales/minerals.php Looks like a really interesting place -- great find, Anthony! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitviper Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 I'd like to go also, but probably will wait until it's a little cooler out, like maybe October or so. I'm having too much fun collecting in warm water and kayaking!This link has minerals for sale for those who want larger quantities: http://sterlinghillminingmuseum.org/sales/minerals.php Looks like a really interesting place -- great find, Anthony! What are you collecting? and where? I see you're in NJ also? "Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haddy Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 What are you collecting? and where? I see you're in NJ also? Yup, South Jersey, part of the "Soprano State" (book I'm currently reading). New to this site, recently started collecting formally, although I also have a bunch of rocks and fossils brought home over the years. Mostly I've been up in the Monmouth brooks this summer, with a few side trips to MD, lots of sharks' teeth and other stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenixflood Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Hey Phoenixflood, I'll gladly send you a piece. Just shoot me a PM with your address I'm going back next month and I plan on bringing a lot more pieces home this time. I'll post something at the end of August and anyone who wants a piece can have one. Will do, thanks The soul of a Fossil Hunter is one that is seeking, always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwin Ahoy Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I'm glad everyone is enjoying these fluorescent minerals. NJ has some great fossils, but it has some superb minerals for those who enjoy them. As a note, Franklinite is a minerals found in the ores. If you look at his first pictures of the fluorescent minerals, it is the shiny, shattered black crystals. And Haddy, if you're looking to do this sometime in October, both Franklin and Sterling Hill have night digs coming up in the fall, where you can take your SW UV lights out at night time to look for things after dark. Very cool experience. I've never actually been on the mine tour at Sterling Hill. I'm glad it was enjoyable. Whenever I go there, I always get wrapped up in digging and never get around to the tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitviper Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 You have to take the tour even if just for the rainbow room! The tour was actually a lot of fun. "Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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