Florida

Florida fluorescent minerals and fossils

The specimens shown in the first two rows, at right are fossil clams (Mercenaria permagna). They lived during the Pliocene-Pleistocene Periods. The specimens were obtained from Ruck's Pit, Okeechobee Co., Florida. The crystals lining the shells are calcite. Under regular light the specimen has a white to greyish-tan exterior. The interior is lined with clear to yellowish calcite crystals. Under long wave ultraviolet light portions of the shell and the calcite crystals fluoresce a creamy white. These same areas fluoresce a white to bluish white under short wave ultraviolet light. The third row is calcite encrusted clams, shells, etc. from Dade County, Florida. The specimen is from the Pliocene-Pleistocene Period. The calciite encrustation has a yellow or brownish appearance under normal lighting and a creamy white fluorescence under long wave ultraviolet light. Under short wave ultraviolet light the calcite areas have a bluish white fluorescence.

Regular lighting

Long wave ultraviolet light

Short wave ultraviolet light