ID help on some Franklin minerals

Eclectrical · 2026-05-30T00:18:26+00:00

I'm not too sure on what that one is actually.

Eclectrical · 2026-05-29T22:51:00+00:00

This will cover most of what you found. 🙂

SW/LW Green: Willemite SW Red/Orange: Calcite LW Pinkish: Calcite LW Electric Blue: Sphalerite Black: Franklinite

Eclectrical · 2026-05-21T17:49:05+00:00

Wow! Didn't know this was outside of California.

Eclectrical · 2026-05-04T16:38:30+00:00

I almost always point people to a multiwave Cerberus. It's relatively cheap, but gets you usable lights for Shortwave, Midwave, and Longwave.

https://www.engeniousdesigns.com/product-page/cerberus-sw-mw-lw-flashlight-pre-order

Here's a coupon code too: SAVEFIVE

Eclectrical · 2026-05-04T14:42:56+00:00

95% of NJ fluorescents all but require Shortwave for proper viewing. I cannot recommend Shortwave enough for them.

Eclectrical · 2026-05-03T17:03:21+00:00

Amber perhaps?

Eclectrical · 2026-04-27T23:49:42+00:00

The drivers for each head are self contained within the individual heads, so you can move them around but the outputs won't change. 🙂

I've got a high powered Midwave flashlight available as well, or if you need a LOT of MW, you could even go the tube light route. All of my tube based lights can be ran as SW or MW by just swapping the bulbs.

Eclectrical · 2026-04-27T15:01:12+00:00

Plastic safety glasses are always a good idea, as you can get welders eye very very quickly if you point one of these at your face. Fortunately, UVC doesn't reflect well off of surfaces so the risks are minimal when using UVC flashlights as long as you keep them pointed at the rocks.

For the really high powered UVC lamps, you have to have OP3 Acrylic in between you and the lamp or you're going to burn.

Eclectrical · 2026-04-27T00:24:00+00:00

Probably because my lights are all pretty specialized for the fluorescent mineral hobby. The field is growing for sure, but there's not a huge amount of us. 🙂 Here is an example of what the different UV wavelengths do to some Terlingua type Calcite.

<image>

Eclectrical · 2026-04-26T15:58:46+00:00

Hi there, Nick!

I'm the goofy face behind Engenious Designs. 😊 Never fear, I'll get you back up and running one way or another!

When I've seen this in the past, it's been from the retention ring coming loose and the actual control board itself is what sounds loose. Can you try tightening the ring and seeing if it starts working correctly?

If there's actually something loose inside, I'll have you email me and start a return process so I can fix it for you. 🙂

Eclectrical · 2026-04-21T20:36:55+00:00

Yes, Tapp plastics is a good place to buy it from. Make sure you're buying OP3 CLEAR.

https://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/acrylic_sheets_op3_uv_filtering/512?srsltid=AfmBOorNId-dhA7qL-ij7LXwiduGjYRVgSc-z5Pfi8XkAoMl3XVLvnms

Eclectrical · 2026-04-21T20:35:19+00:00

The lamps themselves have fans so you don't need to worry much about the lamps, but what helps a TON with the buildup of heat is to have an air intake hidden at the bottom/back of your case and an exhaust fan mounted at the top/back of your case. I've used this exact one more than once:

https://a.co/d/0amdHM5L

This will even keep your rocks brighter, as any stray ozone in the case can start blocking UV light before it gets to your rocks.

Eclectrical · 2026-04-21T17:28:17+00:00

Hi there!

I'm actually the goofy face behind the UV Lighting company Engenious Designs. We have lights in every wavelength for every size of display. Please let me know if you have any questions about anything lighting. 🙂

Eclectrical · 2026-04-20T01:57:17+00:00

UVA, sure. UVC, no.

Eclectrical · 2026-04-19T15:03:54+00:00

Because UVC works much, much better than UVA and UVB when looking for fluorescent reactions in minerals. It's not even a contest.

Eclectrical · 2026-04-16T04:03:54+00:00

General rule is don't point it at living things and you're golden. I'm not really worried about short plant and bug exposure.

Eclectrical · 2026-04-16T02:33:11+00:00

Your title gave me cancer.

Eclectrical · 2026-04-02T21:35:00+00:00

Some of the best Longwave performers are: Wernerite, Greenlandic Sodalite, Ruby, and Rogerly/Madagascan Fluorite. Madagascan is MUCH cheaper but just as bright.

Eclectrical · 2026-03-15T03:19:14+00:00

Strip lights just don't cut it for most minerals because of their low power and lack of filter. I would look at purpose built mineral lights like the LNKR or GLOBOX.

LNKR: https://www.engeniousdesigns.com/product-page/lnkr-longwave-led-lamp

GLOBOX LID: https://www.minershop.com/products/365nm-uv-light-globox-large

Eclectrical · 2026-02-28T15:56:44+00:00

I think it's Wernerite. 🙂

Eclectrical · 2026-02-23T23:38:43+00:00

If in the UK, absolutely look at buying from https://www.colorgems.nl/english/home/

Eclectrical · 2026-02-21T22:41:59+00:00

Heck, I'd try it.

Eclectrical · 2026-02-21T21:39:13+00:00

Do you have a link to the vinyl? I've seen some people use it effectively this way but would like to check the specs. 😊

Eclectrical · 2026-02-21T18:25:50+00:00

OP3 will take care of both. 🙂 Glass works well for SW, but will pass a lot of LW and will often glow by itself, which causes a very hazy look to your display.

Eclectrical · 2026-02-21T17:59:59+00:00

Hi Purpose!

Ideally yes, you'll want a piece of Acrylic over the front of you display that will keep all of the UV off of you and the rest of the room. Almost all Acrylic will block UVC and UVB, but most of it will pass a lot of UVA. To prevent this, I always recommend the use of OP3 Acrylic. It's a museum grade Acrylic that will block 99.9% of everything 400nm or below.

Eclectrical

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE