[Rockhounds] UV Light recommendations wanted

[John Scully]

Thanks, Doug
☺

On Mon, Jul 9, 2018 at 6:25 PM, Doug Bank <dougbank at alum.mit.edu> wrote:

> 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
> > _______________________________________________
> > Rockhounds mailing list
> > Subscription Services:  http://rockhounds.drizzle.com/
> mailman/listinfo/rockhounds_rockhounds.drizzle.com
> > List Usage Policy: http://Tomaszewski.net/Kreigh/
> Rockhounds/Rockhounds.shtml
>
> _______________________________________________
> Rockhounds mailing list
> Subscription Services:  http://rockhounds.drizzle.com/
> mailman/listinfo/rockhounds_rockhounds.drizzle.com
> List Usage Policy: http://Tomaszewski.net/Kreigh/
> Rockhounds/Rockhounds.shtml
>