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

Today I have added 19 new specimens to the United States Showcase Page of my website. 

The specimens are all sphalerite from a fairly recent find in Montana.  The sphalerite fluoresces in a multitude of colors under longwave ultraviolet light.  Some of the colors include yellow/orange, pink, violet, pale blue and even red!  You may have seen some of these sphalerites for sale on EBAY or social media platforms.  Those people selling this material may have had permission to own these specimens but were never given permission to sell them.  That is why their posts were quickly removed.  The mine owner’s representative contacted me and asked if I would be willing to sell these sphalerite specimens on behalf of the owner.  I agreed, and currently have these 19 specimens for sale.

The sphalerite from this locality will respond to longwave tube lighting.  However, they respond best to longwave LED lighting.  I understand that some people do not own longwave LED flashlights.  For this reason, I have photographed these specimens under both a 36-watt longwave tube lamp and a Convoy C8+ LED flashlight.  If you do not own a longwave LED flashlight, I do have two types available for purchase on my website.

It is with great sadness I report that my good friend and fellow fluorescent mineral collector Al Liebetrau passed away on Friday, April 28, 2023.  I have known Al for more than 30 years.  In that time, he proved to be one of the nicest and most dedicated people I have ever met.  He was a giant in the mineral community, both white light and ultraviolet light.  Anyone who knew Al always saw a small notebook with him when he attended mineral shows.  He always took meticulous notes on specimens, dealers, locations etc.  Many times, he would call me and ask if I knew more information about a certain mineral or locality.  I’m sure his mineral catalog was as accurate as one could be.

For several years Al was the President of the Fluorescent Mineral Society and did a great job in that position.  With that in mind, there was only one person who could have taken on the monumental task of putting together the FMS’s 50th anniversary exhibit at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in 2022.  Al dedicated about 3 years to this arduous task.  Needless to say, the exhibit was a success, in spite of all the problems encountered along the way.  It is my understanding that even a week before Al passed away, while in hospice care, he was still talking about fluorescent minerals with those who visited him.  Now that is someone who was truly passionate about his hobby.

Al is survived by his wife Sue.  The two were a match made in heaven as she was as dedicated a mineral collector as Al was.  Not only will Sue miss her late husband, but Al will be missed by many in the mineral community.  Truly a great loss for all those who knew him.  My deepest condolences to Sue, his family and friends.  We can all pay tribute to Al by pursuing our hobby with the same passion and vigor that he did.  Rest in peace Al and may God bless.  I will miss you.

George V. Polman

Today I am excited to add 11 new calcite specimens to the Worldwide Showcase Page of my website.  The specimens are from a recent find in Mexico.  The specimens come from a quarry in the Zimapan Municipality, Hidalgo, Mexico.  Each of the 11 specimens were hand-picked for quality from a larger lot.  The calcite fluoresces best in shortwave ultraviolet light.  The primary calcite fluoresces various shades of red and yellow, with secondary calcite fluorescing shades of orange, pale blue and green.  The combination of color and various patterns makes these calcite specimens very aesthetic.

Today I have added 41 new specimens to the Worldwide Showcase Page of my website.  This batch consists of specimens from England, Italy, Afghanistan, China, Canada and more.

During the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I visited the Rocks and Minerals magazine booth.  Marie, who is the editor of the magazine, asked if I could help them sell the two back issues focusing on fluorescent minerals.  These issues were designed in order to complement the Fluorescent Mineral theme for the 2021 and 2022 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

The first issue (below) is the January/February 2021 issue.  On the cover is a photograph of the largest and most aesthetic specimen of wickenburgite, willemite and fluorite ever produced from the Potter-Cramer mine in Arizona.  This issue also contains an article I authored on the Potter-Cramer mine, the Type locality for the rare lead silicate wickenburgite.  A list of the featured articles for this issue is provided below the cover photograph.

The second issue (below) is the January/February 2022 issue.  On the cover is a photograph of a very nice specimen of Shuster Park margarosanite, willemite and calcite from the Franklin Mine in New Jersey.  This issue contains an article I authored on the fluorescent mineral history of the Nellie James mine in Arizona.  A list of the featured articles for this issue is provided below the cover photograph.

If you don’t subscribe to Rocks and Minerals, these two issues would make a great addition to your fluorescent mineral reference library.  The issues are $12.00 each.  Since magazines cannot be sent via media mail, and due to the weight of both issues, the cheapest way to ship these is through the US Post Office (Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope).  The shipping cost is $9.65.  The magazines will be shipped with a piece of cardboard for protection during shipping.  I will be offering these magazines for sale soon through my website as well.

If you wish to purchase these two issues, please email me at gpolman@polmanminerals.com.  We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, PayPal and personal checks.

Today I have added 34 new specimens to the United States Showcase Page of my website.  

The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is now over for 2023.  Although I did not sell at the show this year, many thanks to those who came up from Tucson to visit.   I spent several days in Tucson early in the show, making sure to obtain quality fluorescent specimens for my customers!   I won’t make any announcements yet about these specimens but will make information available when they are ready for sale.

Today I have added 38 new specimens to the Worldwide Showcase Page of my website.   This batch consists of specimens from Greenland, Australia, England, Italy and more.

Just a quick note to wish all of you a very happy and healthy new year!  Thanks to all of you, 2022 was a very successful year for Polman Minerals.  Last year’s Tucson show, with the fluorescent mineral theme, turned out to be the best show of my career.  With that in mind, it sure was a difficult decision to skip selling at this year’s Tucson show.  Instead, as I have done for many years since “officially” resigning from doing shows, I will concentrate on purchasing quality fluorescent mineral specimens to sell through my website.

As in the past, anyone who wishes to make the trek up to Phoenix, to see my collection or to purchase mineral specimens, is welcome.  Please contact me in advance if you plan on coming to visit so that I can coordinate my schedule accordingly.