Fluorescent Stones
Beauty and the Beam
Fluorescence is a pretty cool phenomenon. Many minerals and stones are downright dazzling and stunning on their own, but your whole perspective can change with a simple strike of light. Holding certain kinds of light sources over a fluorescent stone is like snapping your fingers and getting a brand new look at a stone. This is typically caused by UV light. Another phenomenon with stones is phosphorescence, but that's for another time. In short, the sources of this spectacular fluorescent display are usually impurities, usually that of iron and/or organic material. The structure of a crystal can cause fluorescence, too. When a light of a certain wavelength (often short wave) strikes the mineral, the show begins. If a certain electron is struck, it gets excited and its orbit elevates for a short period of time. Eventually, it has to come back down, though, and stop being excited, and light is released, resulting in our fluorescent display. Any stone that does fluoresce usually does so with a single colour, but some, like calcite, can vary.
Important Note: Since many stones fluoresce with short wave UV light, one must be careful, since it can be dangerous. Without proper care and research, someone using short wave UV light may hurt themself. Thus, we do not recommend that the average reader to use short wave UV light.
The First Fluor: Fluorite
If we're gonna talk fluorescence, we have to talk about fluorite. This is because fluorescence was named after fluorite. Fluorite's fluorescence is pretty strong, clearly. Based on our tests, the higher grades of fluorite did not fluoresce as much if it was of higher quality. This is due to the fact that inclusions seemed to play a major factor. However, it did look absolutely amazing when it was in the sunlight, illuminating the stone to a gorgeous violet.
Heights of the Light
A lot of stones are pretty fluorescent. Some minerals can fluoresce different colours, depending on the locales and the type of light used. Typically, minerals from the same locale will fluoresce the same colour. But calcite crystals from one locale may fluoresce differently from that of another locale.
Here are some cool fluorescent stones if you want a quick reference:
And these will appear in our lovely kit
The Wrap Up
Fluorescence is cool and there is undoubtedly a lot of science behind it. Many stones look gorgeous without fluorescence, so it becomes like a little treat or an easter egg to find one that does so brilliantly! If any of our readers are going to see if their stones are fluorescent, then we highly encourage they do so with extensive care and research.
Please Note: Crystals and gemstones are nature's true beauties, but they are not a substitute for seeking professional medical, legal, health, or financial advice. Crystals and gemstones are to be used in conjunction with any professional care you are receiving and do not provide healing, cures, or other remedies modern medicine can provide. The information provided in our listings with regard to the powers of crystals and gemstones is all derived from personal & professional experience with crystals & gems as well as ancient wisdom and texts documenting knowledge gained from civilizations around the world. They are not backed by the FDA or scientific/government resources. Our crystals & gemstones are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or malady. Our crystals and gemstones are also not a replacement for seeking professional legal advice, financial advising, or any other field of professional expertise. Crystals and gemstones are intended to be appreciated for their natural power and beauty and used alongside modern, professional methods.
Sources: https://geology.com/articles/fluorescent-minerals/