Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of TreasureBeachesReport.blogspot.com.
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| Fossil Seashell From The Treasure Coast Lighted By Ultra Violet Light To Reveal Yellow Bands. |
A black light can be used for more than lighting up psychedelic posters. I found that out somehow long ago.
You can use a black light for finding or identifying some gem stones, such as corundum. Actually not all corundum glows in black light, but an ultra violet light will make some rubies and other gem stones glow in the dirt. That makes them easier to find.
You can also use a black light to classify gem stones. Black light can also be used to tell if some gem stones are natural.
I've pointed out before that calcite crystals in fossil shells will glow under black light.
Black light can also be used to reveal the original lost color patterns of chalky white fossil shells, which can help to identify previously unknown species.
Southern Florida has a very rare and special treasure that you might not be aware of.
These fossil seashells are found in deposits at several places in southern Florida. The ones figured here [in the following linked paper] came from spoil banks bordering a canal in Okeechobee County and are ten to fifteen million years old...
Their "secret" character is not possessed by the Los Angeles County fossils or, to the same degree as far as I know, by other fossil seashells from elsewhere. We have tested all the ones in our museum collections, which is worldwide in scope, although obviously incomplete. What causes this geographic restriction is unknown at present. When exposed to the short wave kind of ultraviolet light in darkness, some of the fossil Florida seashells fluoresce brilliantly with symmetrical orange patterns against a glowing violet background.
The two paragraphs above are from a really good paper that can be found through the following link.
http://research.nhm.org/pdfs/33751/33751.pdf
I didn't have a good setup to make good pictures in black light, but I did manage to get the photo at the top of the post. The nice yellow lines show under black light.
The paper found through the research.nhm.org link above shows other examples Florida fossil shells and their color patterns as seen under black light.
The fossil shell shown at the top of this post, to the best of my very limited understanding, is an excellent museum quality specimen of a fossil tulip shell.
Here is another link on the same subject of using a black light to see color patterns of fossil seashells.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/04/01/bone-white-ancient-shells-reveal-their-dazzling-colors-under-uv-light/
If you are not into seashells, even million-year-old Florida fossil shells, you can use a black light to bring out markings on artifacts that otherwise might be very difficult to see. Black light will also reveal slight differences in the surface of artifacts.
One hand made lead fishing sinker that I found, when displayed under black light, showed how the edges were carved. I didn't notice that under normal lighting.
If you have an ultra violet light take a look at a variety of artifacts under the black light and see what you can find. I'd like to hear about it if you find anything interesting. Send me an email.
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Here are some nice quick video clips of a North Carolina beach sent by GoldNugget. He shows the beach, finds and equipment.
The North Carolina beaches are a bit different from ours. They get more tides, and I would say lately, they've also been getting more waves. GoldNugget has some nice old coins and buttons and other things to show.
https://youtu.be/POT3aqQP2i0
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There are now two tropical disturbances in the Atlantic that could be headed our way. Both have a 90% chance of becoming a cyclone in the next 48 hours.
This was the kind of morning I like - cloudy and rainy. I could do without the thunder. And I'd like more wind and better beach conditions, but otherwise, I prefer this to those glaring sunny days.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net
