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Collecting fluorescent minerals at Franklin
Today, some of the rarer species may only be found using a 'silver
pick' on mineral dealer's shelves. However, a great many Franklin and
Sterling Hill fluorescent minerals are still field collectable today.
Large masses of brilliantly fluorescent calcite glowing
reddish-orange, with specks of green-fluorescing willemite, can still be
collected on the local mine dumps, as can lesser amounts of many other
fluorescent minerals.
Portable ultraviolet lights can be used at night on special
occasions. During daylight they can be used in a nearby viewing shack or
under some black plastic to provide ready-made shade. Over time,
collectors are able to recognize most fluorescent minerals without using
a lamp.
The Buckwheat dump is operated by the Franklin
Mineral Museum, where regular collector access can be arranged.
On special occasions the privately-owned Trotter dump is also open to
collectors. This has been coordinated in recent years by the DVESS, and
has happened just once each year. See the Trotter
2000 and 2001 pages for views and further details.
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Large boulders of
red-fluorescing calcite and green- fluorescing willemite, seen through bushes on the
Buckwheat dump in Franklin, at night. Width 2 m.
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Collecting on the Buckwheat Dump, Franklin, NJ
during daylight. Note the black plastic used to provide some shade
while viewing fluorescing minerals.
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