[Rockhounds] UV Light recommendations wanted

[Doug Bank]

John,

Hyalite is definitely radioactive. In some cases, very radioactive. I just measured a small piece from Spruce Pine, NC, and it is roughly 10-15x background (in my basement outside of Chicago). It’s isn’t too bad, but I have relocated most of the other hyalite and radioactive stuff to the garage, so I do try to be careful with it. Some would say that I am overreacting, but I don’t have the best set of genes, so better safe than sorry. 

That said, 100 POUNDS? That is a completely different issue. If there is a little hyalite on a lot of chalcedony, OK, but if it is a lot of hyalite, then that is probably a lot of radioactivity. More importantly, it might put out a lot of radon, and radon is the real problem, especially if you put the hyalite in a poorly ventilated and below grade location. I trust that others on this list can elaborate as to whether they would be OK with 100 pounds of hyalite inside their house. 

Regarding the fluorescence, there are multiple options. Hyalite is often incredibly fluorescent. The one I mentioned is in my long wave case, but it is equally fluorescent (or better) under short wave and medium wave. It is fluorescent using my old (but inferior) long wave light. It isn’t quite as bright, but it is still plenty bright using a regular old black light bulb that you can buy at Home Depot or, probably, Walmart. If you want to do it right and produce enough green light to light up the entire room, then the easiest solution is to visit ebay and buy a used, but working, UV transilluminator. Those are typically midwave, but you could just use it as such and get a great response. If you desired, you could buy new bulbs and have a good short wave light (or long or full wave). 

For more information on this subject, visit this web page: http://www.minershop.com/technology/diy-projects/transilluminators/ <http://www.minershop.com/technology/diy-projects/transilluminators/>

For more info on anything else related to fluorescence, there is a great Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fluorescentminerals/ <https://www.facebook.com/groups/fluorescentminerals/>

Good Luck!
Doug Bank


> On Jul 9, 2018, at 5:18 PM, John Scully <jscully216 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi, All
> 
> I just purchased about 100 pounds of hyalite opal on chalcedony from
> Mexico.  Now I want to put it under a UV light.  So, I am asking for
> recommendations on what to purchase.  Questions such as:
> 
> 1.  SW vs. LW?
> 2.  Flashlight size units?
> 3.  Larger units?
> 4.  Battery operated?
> 5.  Price range -- this is important to me.  anything useful at around $200?
> 
> Also, does hyalite have any radioactivity?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> John Scully
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