Fun with Fluorescence!

[Nosean]

0,40 ct Chameleon diamond with strong change (storage in the dark or low heat.


Phosphorescence after SW UV


Heated for a few seconds






A few second LW UV Laser brings back the color ( more graygreen in real live)

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Thanks for sharing so many beautiful photos, y’all!

 

[Nick_G]

Alluvial sapphire pebbles from Ilakaka, Madagascar:


These were actually sold as spinels, but the fact that the lot includes colourless pebbles, together with obvious pleochroism in the coloured ones all point to sapphire. Note that the blue sapphire top left has no fluorescence due to the presence of iron.

 

[Rfisher]

@Avondale
Your new sapphire definitely belongs here!

 

[Avondale]

@Avondale
Your new sapphire definitely belongs here!

I had forgotten this thread exists! Thank you for tagging me, there's definitely some stones I'd love to add to it.

Starting from the most recent - blue sapphire with orange fluorescence. I didn't even know such a thing existed before, and I haven't come across any previous mentions on PS (people should really shine a UV torch on their blue sapphires more often, they can surprise you) but apparently it's a known phenomenon that occurs when the sapphire has colour zoning. The fluorescence affects specifically the zoned part - the colourless or very light blue part of the stone.








Next on the list, working back chronologically, are fluorescent jedi spinels:






Even further back is a burmese ruby, the fluorescence of which drives the camera a bit mad:





This is what it looks like in person (had to move the beam of the torch a little to the side to get this photo):




And last on the list (but first among these to acquire) is a sri lankan blue sapphire that has soft pink fluorescence:






Needless to say, I've never regretted the money I spent on Convoy.

 

[LilAlex]

Wonderful photos and lovely pieces! I don't have the Convoy but I have been enjoying a similar one:

L

Thread 'A great little UV light!'

Aug 12, 2023

I have always used a cheap little UV penlight that I got from Esslinger whenever I want to check for fluorescence in a colored stone. But I started reading a bit more and learned that the cheap ones are mostly ~ 395nm with tons of spillover into visible (violet) light. That's what mine was -- looked like a tiny, old-school "blacklight." There are much better ones that are mostly 365nm with a cutoff filter that eliminates almost all visible light. (Note that both 365nm and 395nm are "long wave" UV and the only thing I was interested in.)

So, based on lots of positive reviews on Amazon --...

• LilAlex
• Replies: 18
• Forum: Colored Gemstones

• 
• 
• 

Where can I purchase your elegant gem holder?

 

[Avondale]

Where can I purchase your elegant gem holder?

Ah, you see, this is a very intricate and sophisticated DIY project. For the mission to be successful, you'll either have to raid a chosen female family member's stash, or visit a store that sells (most probably kids') hair accessories. You're in search of teeeeny tiny elastic rubber hair ties.

Once you've acquired those, you'll need to tackle the complicated task of wrapping one tie around each tip of tweezers of your choosing. Be careful not to fatfinger it! The job requires precision and pristinely developed fine motor skills. If you manage to complete it successfully, you'll have a uniquely elegant gem holder just like mine.

 

[LilAlex]

Once you've acquired those, you'll need to tackle the complicated task of wrapping one tie around each tip of tweezers of your choosing. Be careful not to fatfinger it! The job requires precision and pristinely developed fine motor skills. If you manage to complete it successfully, you'll have a uniquely elegant gem holder just like mine.

This is a complex undertaking. I fear I will instead need to acquire one on the secondary market.

 

[Rfisher]

Needed a new uv torch so decided to get the same one @LilAlex recommended.
And yikes. It is night and day difference in the effect from this new one vs my old one.



I’ll be sure to show some photos soon.

 

[Neptune]

Spinel
Spinel, spinel
Ruby

 

[Rfisher]

OEC three stone - single cut eternity - fancy yellow radiant w/ white sidestones

Blue Sapphire with OEC cluster

Peach sapphire with ACA cluster

Carre & French

Turquoise w/ OEC

 

[Rfisher]

The bottom right 9 stone is lab diamonds for comparison S&G

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

So happy to see the new additions to this thread! Such beauties, and such fun science!!

How about the orange fluorescence on @Rfisher ’s peach sapphire and @Avondale ’s incredible new blue! I love your collection of juicy reds, @Neptune ! And those Jedi spinels just pop!!

It’s cool to see how the stones react in fluorescent light, and then you can see it happening just going into daylight to some degree too. Enjoy your lively stones in good health, everyone!

—By the way, I haven’t been on here as much. Just happened to have the thought to check in today and was delighted to find this FUN old thread. I am still enjoying my gemstones every day but I kind of reached my rainbow goal (one of every color) for the most part. (Still so tempted!!!) I am on to collecting camellias now. They are cheaper and I’m having a blast! Joy to all of y’all!!

 

[Neptune]

So happy to see the new additions to this thread! Such beauties, and such fun science!!

How about the orange fluorescence on @Rfisher ’s peach sapphire and @Avondale ’s incredible new blue! I love your collection of juicy reds, @Neptune ! And those Jedi spinels just pop!!

It’s cool to see how the stones react in fluorescent light, and then you can see it happening just going into daylight to some degree too. Enjoy your lively stones in good health, everyone!


—By the way, I haven’t been on here as much. Just happened to have the thought to check in today and was delighted to find this FUN old thread. I am still enjoying my gemstones every day but I kind of reached my rainbow goal (one of every color) for the most part. (Still so tempted!!!) I am on to collecting camellias now. They are cheaper and I’m having a blast! Joy to all of y’all!!

Thanks for starting such awesome thread, I love old threads.

By the way, none of my spinels are called “jedi” but I love them. Buy the look not the name, right? See i’m a good old thread student.

 

[renwea]

I was driving and noticed my ruby glowing in the sun.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

The bottom right 9 stone is lab diamonds for comparison S&G

Omg it’s like you could go to a glow-in-the-dark mini-golf and just stare at your rings!

Can you take a detour to the lab thread and tell us how you got so many colors in that band?

 

[Rfisher]

Omg it’s like you could go to a glow-in-the-dark mini-golf and just stare at your rings!

Can you take a detour to the lab thread and tell us how you got so many colors in that band?

Glo in the dark bowling or mini golf would be fun!

The band (bottom right) that shows no reaction at all is the lab created stones

 

[CSpan]

Omg it’s like you could go to a glow-in-the-dark mini-golf and just stare at your rings!

Can you take a detour to the lab thread and tell us how you got so many colors in that band?

Those rings are already droolworthy and now! Wow

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Droolworthy is the Truth!!!

 

[Eli22]

Influenced by @LilAlex ’s UV light recommendation and inspired by @RRfromR ’s photos.

My ruby/diamond drops:


The multicolor diamond fluo is new to me! I can’t wait to examine all my other pieces under this light

 

[LilAlex]

My ruby/diamond drops:

Those are sensational -- with or without fluor!

 

[Eli22]

Those are sensational -- with or without fluor!

Thanks, @LilAlex ! I’m in love with them