The Evolving Earth

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Fluorescents: Minerals that Glow in the Dark


Fluorescence refers to the visible light materials give off when exposed to invisible ultraviolet light. Most minerals do not fluoresce. But a few contain atoms in which electrons become boosted to a higher energy level by ultraviolet light. When these electrons fall back to their original state, they give off energy in the form of visible light.

[orange and
green]
Clinohedrite, Willemite,
Bustamite
[Calcite]
Calcite, Morocco
[Calcite]
Calcite, Texas
[Esperite]
Esperite, Hardystonite,
New Jersey
[Flourite]
Flourite. Ohio
[Flourite]
Flourite,England
[Opal]
Opal, North Carolina
[Scheelite]
Scheelite, Malay
[Sodalite]
Sodalite, Canada
[Scapolite]
Scapolite, Canada
[Willemite]
Willemite and Calcite,
New Jersey
[Willemite]
Willemite, New Jersey


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