Nebraska fluorescent minerals and fossils.

      The specimens shown at right are from Crawford, Nebraska.  The specimens are calcite and chalcedony and have a white to tan color in normal light.   The specimens in  the middle column are exposed to long wave ultraviolet light.  For the most part the dark and light purple colors are due to reflection of the light off the minerals in the specimen.   If you will notice there does seem to be a couple small area of white showing which I believe is long wave fluorescence.   The photos at the far right show a strong green (chalcedony)  and red/pink (calcite) fluorescence under short wave ultraviolet light.

     The fossil teeth shown at right are from the Oligocene Period, White River Formation, Brule Member, north of Harrison, Nebraska. They were found on the Shalimar Ranch, in Souix County, Nebraska.

     The first row of photos are those of maxillary teeth from a Mesohippus (three toed horse).  This specimen is one of the nicest maxillary (upper part of the jaw - including the hard palate) specimen that we have to offer.  It is the largest and most complete (as far as teeth are conceerned).  The specimen looks very nice under both normal lighting and fluorescent lighting.  It is truely a museum quality specimen.

     The second row of teeth are mandibular (lower jaw) teeth from a "Running Rhino"" - Hyracodon nebrascensis.  The teeth from this location fluoresce a yellow-white to yellow orange under both long and short wave ultraviolet lighting, but fluoresce strongest under long wave and best under both forms of light at the same time.

     The third row of teeth are right rear mandibular teeth from a rare Dinictis felina (Nimravid-"false saber-toothed cat").  The teeth fluoresce brightest under long wave ultraviolet light, a strong yellow/orange.  The bone fluoresces with a tinge of green due to chalcedony present.  Under short wave UV lighting the tooth enamel fluoresces a darker orange, with no fluorescence in the bone.

       The fourth row of teeth are the front part of the skull of a squirrel (Ischyromys typus).  This fossil is from the White River Formation, Brule Member of the Nebraska Badlands.  The teeth fluoresce best under both long and short wave UV lighting.. They fluoresce a strong yellow/orange under long wave ultraviolet lighting and  weaker under short wave.  The orange fluorescence of the teeth is caused by calcite.  Any green in the bone area of the fossil is caused by chalcedony.  Any purple that you see is the reflection of the lights off the light colored portions of the fossil.

       The fifth row of teeth photos, are from a rabbit hard pallet (Palaeolagus heydeni).  This fossil is from the White River Formation, Brule Mamber of the Nebraska Badlands.  They fluoresce a yellow/orange under ultraviolet light.  The fluorescence is stronger under long wave.  But, fluoresces best under both at the same time.  The  purple that you see is the reflection of the ultraviolet light off of the lighter colored portion of the fossil and is not fluorescence.

       The horse teeth, in the first row, the squirrel teeth, in the fourth row, and the rabbit teeth, in the fifth row are fairly rare specimens.  They are hardly ever found this complete.  This is partially due to the fact that the skull is frequently eaten or scavanged because of the nutrient value of the animal brain.  The fact that they have to survive another 30 or 40 million years to get here doesn't help either.




Regular lighting

Regular lighting

Regular lighting

Regular lighting

Regular lighting

Regular lighting

Regular lighting

 

 

 

 

Long wave ultraviolet light

Long wave ultraviolet light

Long wave ultraviolet light

Long wave ultraviolet light

Long wave ultraviolet light

Long wave ultraviolet light

Long wave ultraviolet light

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short wave ultraviolet light

Short wave ultraviolet light

Short wave ultraviolet light

Short wave ultraviolet light

Short wave ultraviolet light

Short wave ultraviolet light

Short wave ultraviolet light