[Rockhounds] Fordite

[Doug Bank]

Axel,

It can be expensive, especially if it is a nice pattern or is properly shaped for jewelry. However, what might interest you, Axel, is that some of it is fluorescent. If you look on the Fluorescent Minerals facebook group, there is a post showing some really cool fluorescent fordite. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fluorescentminerals/permalink/10158658074958571 <https://www.facebook.com/groups/fluorescentminerals/permalink/10158658074958571>



Unfortunately, not all of it is fluorescent. I talked with one vendor from Michigan that also collects Yooperlites and therefore has some good LW lights, and none of his fordite fluoresces (though none of it is actually from Ford either. He sells fordite from Jeep and Kenworth.)

Doug

> On Dec 15, 2020, at 5:12 AM, Axel Emmermann <axel.emmermann at telenet.be <mailto:axel.emmermann at telenet.be>> wrote:
> 
> At least it's a_Ford_able.... compared to other mineral specimens...
> 
> Axel
> 
> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: Rockhounds <rockhounds-bounces at rockhounds.drizzle.com <mailto:rockhounds-bounces at rockhounds.drizzle.com>> Namens Larry Rush
> Verzonden: dinsdag 15 december 2020 3:29
> Aan: rockhounds at rockhounds.drizzle.com <mailto:rockhounds at rockhounds.drizzle.com>
> Onderwerp: [Rockhounds] Fordite
> 
> Recently, as a birthday gift, I received a "specimen" in a mineral box, labeled "Fordite- Detroit Agate".
> Thinking I had now in my sweaty, little palm, a NEW mineral species,  I took a closer look.If you have not heard of this kind of "specimen", I'll save you the time...it is broken polished fragments of solidified paint and enamel from the obsolete car-painting booths in the Ford motor plants.
> It does come in finely banded layers and swirls of color, similar to agate in looks.
> But, there the similarity to minerals ends!!
> There is no science involved, no mining from ores deep in Mother Earth, no crystallization, no eye-catching Geometry.......You won't find this one in Dana!In short, it is just a cheap way to merchandize and take name advantage of our esteemed love of mineralogy.
> If you haven't heard of this scam, look it up on the Web, and be disappointed for yourself.
> For me, I have too much respect, not to mention a lifetime fascination for mineralogy, to allow a cheap "look-alike" substitute to occupy my attention for very long.I wonder how the mineral-naming committee, the IMA, feels about this?
> And, lastly, my gift-giver meant it only as a joke, one which did not make me smile!
> Let the buyer beware!
> Larry