"What's New!" A fluorescent minerals blog.

Today I have added 46 new specimens to the Franklin/Sterling Hill Showcase page of my website.  Some sample photographs are included above.  This batch is mainly less expensive pieces that I thought I would offer on my website. The batch includes six specimens containing esperite, multiple willemite and calcite’s and several multi-colored pieces.

I will soon be working on putting together specimens for a US Showcase update. As the Phoenix summer is getting quite hot, it may take me a bit to get them all together. As always, those on my email list will be notified the moment these new specimens are uploaded to my site.  

Today I have added 43 new specimens to the United States Showcase Page of my website.  A description of some of the small batches is provided below.

Wollastonite, Albite, Meta-Uranocircite? Rose Road, Pitcairn, New York – Over the years I have obtained several batches of this material. The fluorescent response of both the wollastonite and the albite is considered a medium brightness. However, over the years our ultraviolet lamps have been getting more and more powerful. As a result of that, plus the use now of shortwave UV LED flashlights, this material is becoming more attractive. The very first batch I purchased was in the early 1990s. At that time, the person I purchased the specimens from had told me that he had the green fluorescent mineral identified as meta-uranocircite. I do not know if that ID still stands today, or if more work has been done on the material. If anyone knows more about this ID, please let me know.

Sphalerite in Barite from North Carolina – In the late 1980s/early 1990s I was contacted by a/the guy who had discovered this material. I believe it was from a roadcut or some sort of construction cut. He told me he had at least 500 pounds of specimens and asked if I wanted to purchase it. Although at the time shipping was still not cheap, I decided to purchase the whole lot and had it shipped from North Carolina to Phoenix. I have been selling specimens from this locality ever since. The sphalerite fluoresces a bright orange under longwave ultraviolet light and is scattered in a barite matrix. It can also have sustained luminescence (aka phosphorescence).

Specimens from the Nellie James Mine in Arizona – I have provided today several nice specimens from the Nellie James mine in Arizona. These include a couple of nice fluorescent/phosphorescent sphalerite specimens as well as other multi-colored specimens containing willemite, calcite and hydrozincite. I wrote a paper on the Nellie James mine and it was published in the January/February 2022 issue of Rocks and Minerals magazine. I was asked by the publishers to try to sell back issues of each of the two fluorescent mineral special additions they published (the other was January/February 2021). I have each of these for sale if anyone is interested. Just let me know and I can provide pricing etc.

I am currently working on the photography for a batch of specimens for a Franklin/Sterling Hill Mine Showcase update. As always, those on my email list will be notified the moment these new specimens are uploaded to my site.

Today I have added 36 new specimens to the Worldwide Showcase Page of my website. 

This batch of 36 specimens consist of multi-colored calcite from Hidalgo, Mexico. This calcite locality was discovered approximately 2 years ago. I was able to obtain a few nice specimens just after they were collected while at the Tucson show. The specimens I offered for sale back then sold out very fast. At last year’s Tucson show the collector of this calcite did not bring any to the show. This past Tucson show the collector came to Tucson with a nice size batch. As a result, I was able to obtain a large amount of very fine specimens. I’m a big fan of this calcite due to the multi-colored UV response as well as the unique patterns in some of the specimens.

I am currently working on the photography for a batch of different specimens for a United States Showcase update. As always, those on my email list will be notified the moment these new specimens are uploaded to my site.

Today I have added 38 new specimens to the Horn Silver Mine Showcase Page of my website. 

For those of you who are new to my email list, please take the time to read about the history of the Horn Silver Mine, as well as the incredible story of how these specimens were collected.  When I purchased this amazing collection from Ethan Bunker, I promised him I would educate my customers on the mines history and what it took to collect these wonderful specimens.  I have left a lot of the SOLD specimens on the webpage so that new collectors could see some of the fluorescent variety found in this mine.

The sphalerite from the Horn Silver Mine has a long duration sustained luminescence (aka phosphorescence).  In some of the finer grained specimens you can literally write on the specimen with a 405nm violet light laser and watch it continue to luminesce!! The sphalerite is also triboluminescent. When a mineral is triboluminescent, a flash of light can be generated by friction, impact or breakage. I usually use an 8 or 10-penny spike to scratch the sphalerite in the dark.

I am currently photographing some very nice multi-colored calcite specimens from Hidalgo, Mexico. I hope to have it completed soon. As always, those on my email list will be notified the moment these new specimens are uploaded to my site. 

Today I have added 40 new specimens to the Worldwide Showcase Page of my website.  A description of some of the larger batches is provided below.

Ruby smelter slag from China – These ruby specimens are smelter slag produced at a chromium refining facility in china. The fluorescent response of these specimens is a brilliant, bright and beautiful ruby red. Unfortunately, digital cameras have a really hard time capturing this particular crimson or ruby red color. Since this is the first time, I have ever offered non-natural specimens for sale, you can take my word for it, they are beautiful!

Along with the ruby are brown crystals of most likely a mineral called diaoyudaoite. There is a strong suspicion that diaoyudaoite is only an industrial waste product and not a natural occurring mineral. Diaoyudaoite is known to fluoresce, but not in these specimens. It could be that iron is causing the brown color in the mineral and quash its ability to fluoresce.

Austinite from Mexico – Today I have added some nice specimens of austinite (some with calcite) from the Ojuela mine in Mapimi, Mexico. It is important to note that my Mexican connections have stated that full scale mining operations are once again to begin at the Ojuela mine, meaning that specimen mining may come to a halt.

The austinite fluoresces best under longwave ultraviolet light using a longwave LED flashlight. My photographs were taken using a Convoy C8+ longwave LED flashlight. I do have these flashlights for sale if you would like to purchase one. Austinite is often associated with adamite. In fact, in these specimens the austinite is associated with a non-fluorescing adamite.

Fluorite from Mexico – I was able to obtain some nice specimens of the unusual fluorite from the Ojuela mine in Mapimi, Mexico. These particular fluorite specimens fluoresce an intense red under longwave ultraviolet light. The response is best seen using a longwave LED flashlight. I believe the activator in these fluorite specimens is samarium. As mentioned above, we believe that full scale mining is to begin again at the Ojuela mine, causing specimen mining to possibly come to a halt.

Cerussite from Morocco – Cerussite specimens from Morocco seem to be getting harder and harder to come by. I have a Moroccan dealer friend who always tries to bring nice specimens for me to purchase during the Tucson show. This year he had a few for me so I decided to add them to this Worldwide Showcase. The fluorescent response of Moroccan cerussite varies. Some specimens fluoresce a very bright yellow and some hardly fluoresce at all. This particular batch fluoresce quite nicely. The specimens are also quite aesthetic in white light as well.

Chondrodite, Diopside and Calcite specimens from Canada – After conducting some research into the geology of Ontario, Canada, I was able to locate the Long Lake Zinc mine as a possible fluorescent mineral locality. That was in 1992, way before Mindat! In 1993 my good friend Corby Waste and I went on an 8-day collecting trip to Canada. One night we visited the Long Lake Zinc mine. It certainly appeared like my research paid off, as the mine site dump contained a wealth of marble specimens with multiple fluorescent minerals. Over the years since, I have sold many fluorescent specimens from this locality. They tend to have more of a pastel fluorescent response but can be very aesthetic with multiple colors and patterns.

Recently my friend Corby lost his home to the devastating fire in Altadena, California. I contacted him to make sure he knew that my wife Debbie and I have him in our thoughts and prayers and offered to help in any way that we could.

Today I am excited to offer for sale another 28 specimens from a new mine in Arizona.  The mine is called the Green Envy (the Mine) and is a newly discovered locality for the rare lead silicate wickenburgite.  As you may recall, the Potter-Cramer mine is the Type Locality for wickenburgite, having been identified in 1968.  So far, the fluorescent minerals that have been identified at the Mine are wickenburgite, willemite, calcite and caliche.   Like the Potter-Cramer mine, the wickenburgite can fluoresce anywhere from a Bazooka bubble gum pink to a crimson red.  Unlike the Potter-Cramer mine, the willemite fluoresces more of a creamy yellow green to a bright vivid green (hence the name Green Envy).  Under midrange and longwave ultraviolet light, the willemite can fluoresce yellow.  After exposure to shortwave ultraviolet light, the willemite exhibits a long duration sustained luminescence (aka phosphorescence).Another difference between the Mine and the Potter-Cramer mine is that fluorescent orange-red calcite can be found with the fluorescent wickenburgite and willemite.  The Potter-Cramer mine did not have calcite but had significant amounts of fluorescent fluorite, which has yet to be found at the Mine.So far, the Mine has been hand mined starting at the ground level.  The owners hope that if sales of these specimens go well, they can conduct further mining efforts.  We do not know how many more quality specimens the Mine will produce.   Polman Minerals will continue to hand pick each specimen for sale based on quality, richness and aesthetics.A history of the Mine, as well as other information, can be found at the beginning of the Showcase page which has been dedicated to specimens from the Mine.  If you have any questions about this new locality in Arizona, please let me know.

I am currently photographing specimens for a new WW Showcase.  As always, those on my email list will be notified the moment these new specimens are uploaded to my site.  

I hope that everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas season.  Debbie and I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy new year!  I apologize for the delay in getting new minerals posted.  I have been extremely busy this past couple of months.

With the new year comes the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.  I will not be selling down in Tucson this year.  However, people are always welcome to stop up to Phoenix to visit.  I will try to have plenty of specimens for sale out on the tables in the garage for your viewing pleasure.  If you have the time, you are certainly welcome to see my collection as well.   If interested in stopping up, please contact me ahead of time so that I can get your visit scheduled.  I will be going down to Tucson several days in order to purchase mineral specimens.  Hope to see you in Tucson or Phoenix soon!

Today I have added 17 new specimens to the United States Showcase Page of my website.  Some sample photographs are included above.  This batch consists of opal specimens from the McLaughlin mine (Manhattan mine) in Knoxville, Napa County, California.  To the best of my knowledge, this material was collected in the 1960s or 1970s.   The owner of this material was using it for lapidary purposes.  As a result, several specimens have at least one sawcut surface.  Some specimens are slabs and some are all natural.  Check mineral descriptions for more information.

The specimens fluoresce under longwave tube lighting with a medium response.  However, under longwave LED flashlights the specimens come alive with vibrant patterns and various shades of yellow, white and pale blue.  I photographed these specimens using a Convoy C8+ longwave LED flashlight.  I do have these flashlights for sale if you would like to purchase one along with a specimen.

1) Today I have added 36 new specimens to the Franklin/Sterling Hill Showcase page of my website.  Some sample photographs are included above.  I recently acquired a very nice collection of Franklin/Sterling Hill specimens.  This collection included such Franklin mine classics as bustamite, prehnite, turneaurite, esperite, barite, 3 and 4-color specimens, hardystonite crystals, radiating willemite etc.   

2) It’s not often quality specimens like these from the Franklin mine become available for purchase.  My advice would be to purchase them while you can!   

3) I am currently photographing specimens from the Green Envy mine as well as specimens from the McLaughlin (Manhattan) mine in California.   As always, those on my email list will be notified the moment these new specimens are uploaded to my site.  

Today I have added 42 new specimens to the Worldwide Showcase Page of my website.  A description of some of the larger batches is provided below.

A) Tugtupite from Greenland – There are multiple specimens containing
tugtupite on this latest Worldwide Showcase update. Some specimens
contain tugtupite with polylithionite. Others include tugtupite with sodalite and analcime.

B) Sodalite from Canada – Today I have added some nice sodalite specimens from Mt. St. Hilaire in Quebec, Canada. These sodalite specimens fluoresce a very nice bright orange under longwave ultraviolet light and are a must for a beginner’s collection.

C) Fluorapatite from Mexico – These specimens are from the Cerro de Mercado Mine, Durango, Mexico. The fluorapatite fluoresces a beautiful lavender color (best under midrange ultraviolet light). Some specimens contain opal and/or chalcedony which fluoresce a typical uranyl activated green color.

D) Quartz from Italy – I have added several lower priced specimens of fluorescent quartz from La Sassa, Italy. As of today, I think this is the very best-known locality for fluorescent quartz, with the quartz fluorescing a bright yellow under all three wavelengths. The area is now off limits to collectors. Some, if not all, specimens are chemically treated to remove CaCO3 so that the quartz can be seen.

Today I have added 38 new specimens to the United States Showcase Page of my website.  A description of some of the larger batches is provided below.

A) Travertine from Arizona – This travertine was collected from Seven Springs, Arizona in the 1980s.   When I purchased this material, it was of average brightness under longwave tube lighting.  With the advent of longwave LED flashlights this travertine comes alive with vibrant patterns and various shades of white to orange colors.  I photographed these specimens using a C8+ longwave LED flashlight, thinking that customers may want to add one of these specimens to their Arizona collections.  I do have these flashlights for sale if you would like to purchase one along with a specimen.

B) Multi-colored specimens from the Princess Pat mine in California –  I did a lot of collecting at the Princess Pat mine in the 1990s.   Specimens from this mine can contain, Scheelite, Hyalite, Caliche, Calcite, Powellite as well as others.  Some specimens can fluoresce in at least three colors, making them very aesthetic for collectors.

C) Aragonite from Arizona –  A friend of mine collected this aragonite in the 1990s.  He since told me that no large specimens can be found in this area anymore.  I love the fluorescent orange response from this aragonite.  I have several in my own collection.  

D) Turneaureite from Balmat, New York –  I decided to put up for sale a small batch of very hard to get turneaureite from the famous St. Joe #4 mine in Balmat, New York.   These specimens were collected in the 1990s.   I believe this mine has been re-named by another owner with collecting of specimens prohibited.  Because of this, large rich specimens of turneaureite from this mine are very hard to find and command high prices.