Thermal Alteration of Calcite Luminescence (Electric Coil) - T-Type Calcite

Specimen: ~4" tall (before being broken)

 

T-type (Terlingua) calcite obtained from the Highland Rockshop (specimen presumably from N. Mexico) is shown here. This calcite is believed to contain organic activators which allows it to fluoresce pink under UVa, tan under UVb and blue under UVc with bright blue afterglow following exposure to UVa or UVb light.

 

This sequence shows the rhomb after it was heated on an electric coil of an electric stove set to HIGH for 30 minutes. The bottom shows the part of the rhomb that was not heated.

 

Key:

WL = White light (halogen + LED)

FL = Fluoresces

PHOS = Phosphorescent (afterglow)

Blue = 450nm,

UVa = 368nm (LW), UVb = 311nm (MW), UVc = 254nm (SW)

'>' = "stimulated by:", '!' = "bright", '~' = "dim"

 

Obtained from Highland Rocks and Gems' Rockyard, Burns OR, USA.

 

 

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Photostream best viewed in Slideshow mode (in the dark).

 

9 Watt Triple Output UV lamp from Polman Minerals - Way Too Cool UV lamps

 

Done