Author: Mark Cole

Monteagle Miner Cave, a Fluorescent Chamber of Icicles

Monteagle Miner Cave, a Fluorescent Chamber of Icicles

Over the 2018 holidays my daughters were in town. One left after Christmas but was replaced by my BFF Howie Green and his wife. Always looking for something to do besides explore the many fluorescent rocks down at my barn, this year we got lucky. My local glowhound...

Gem Tabular Ruby Cluster: An Unique Crystal Habit

Gem Tabular Ruby Cluster: An Unique Crystal Habit

Most ruby specimens are either high-priced single/group of crystals on a marble matrix, or cheap massive habit rough from India. Not so here. This cluster of hundreds (or thousands) of intersecting crystals screams color and brightness, and has a delicate, not seen...

Thermoluminescence in Greenland Sodalite

Thermoluminescence in Greenland Sodalite

While experimenting with Afghan sodalite, and after discussion on the Fluorescent Minerals Facebook Group, I decided to try Greenland sodalite and see if it was thermoluminescent. That was the natural question raised by members of the Facebook group. Very interesting...

Thermoluminescent Sodalite (Hackmanite) from Afghanistan

Thermoluminescent Sodalite (Hackmanite) from Afghanistan

I was preparing for a photoshoot tonight, cleaning the specimens of all the lint and hairs that tend to accumulate on them. I was using a MAP torch to lightly burn the little buggers from all the nooks and crannies (a hint learned from the Fluorescent Mineral Group on...

Romancing the Stone: A Brief History of Tugtupite

Romancing the Stone: A Brief History of Tugtupite

“For ages, the Inuit of Greenland have understood the power of tugtupite. Legend has it that lovers can cause the stone to glow fiery red just from the heat of their romance. The brilliance and vibrant colors announce the intensity of their love.” (MinerShop -...