Short Wave Fluorescent Minerals Collection

Fluorescence is the emission of light that some minerals exhibit when exposed to ultraviolet light. Long wave and short wave ultraviolet lights are commonly used to cause fluorescence. The short wave light is higher frequency light than the long wave light. This difference in frequency causes the electrons to behave differently and thus may emit different color fluorescence.

Short Wave Fluorescent Minerals Collection

The incoming ultraviolet light is absorbed; causing weakly held electrons in the crystal lattice to jump to higher energy levels. When the electrons settle to their original stable energy levels, energy is given off as fluorescence.

Weakly held electrons may result from atomic substitution (impurities) in the atomic structure or may be present without substitution.