Recent Yooperlite finds *glowing rocks* from Lake Superior

[Diverdon]

I have not been looking for Yooperlites for quite some time. Up here, on the shores of lake Superior, the summer days are long and night diving by UV light is best saved for fall or early spring. UV lights are what you use to find Yooperlites.
What are Yooperlights? Yooperlites are stones that react to UV lights. They contain the mineral Sodalite that will produce a bright orange glow when lit by UV light. Specifically, 365nm UV light.
Diving by UV light presents its own challenges. Imagine bumping into unseen boulders as you crawl along the lakebed because the nights you are using produce an almost invisible light.Yeah, it's like that.
So here are tonight's finds. One photo taken with UV light to show the stones in all their glory, the other as they would appear in the daytime. Quite regular looking.
The few stones you see here were found amongst thousands of other granite and basalt stones that do not have the necessary mineral Sodalite. It's a real needle in a haystack type story.
Would anyone else care to look for these? BTW, they're also found on rocky beaches, but where is

the fun in that?

 

[chillyinCanada]

Fabulous! Thank you.

 

[SleepySlipper]

Found a handful of these while diving in Traverse City a couple of months ago! Sitting around on a shelf, not really sure what to do with them.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Found a handful of these while diving in Traverse City a couple of months ago! Sitting around on a shelf, not really sure what to do with them.

Put some proper lighting on them.

 

[Diverdon]

Found a handful of these while diving in Traverse City a couple of months ago! Sitting around on a shelf, not really sure what to do with them.

I end up making spheres and viewing them from time to time with my hand held light. But until I make a display using a fish tank or curio cabinet with UV lights, mine do the same. Just sit there looking like rocks.
I did make a couple shadow boxes for a friend who makes and sells necklaces at her shop. The LED strip lights aren't all that bright though.
Another thing that I have done is give several and a flashlight to a fundraiser for a friend who had major health issues. I intend to do the same with these. All it costs is a light and a little time, but it's a popular item at the silent auctions.
Happy hunting

 

[kelemvor]

I end up making spheres and viewing them from time to time with my hand held light. But until I make a display using a fish tank or curio cabinet with UV lights, mine do the same. Just sit there looking like rocks.
I did make a couple shadow boxes for a friend who makes and sells necklaces at her shop. The LED strip lights aren't all that bright though.
Another thing that I have done is give several and a flashlight to a fundraiser for a friend who had major health issues. I intend to do the same with these. All it costs is a light and a little time, but it's a popular item at the silent auctions.
Happy hunting

Luminous devices has a nice selection of 365nm LED chips/C.O.B.s The walmart/amazon strip uv diodes probably aren't going to be all that great, as you've surmised. https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/245/Luminus_SBM-120-UV_Datasheet-1504881.pdf

 

[Sam Miller III]

@Diverdon

Once again I send you my admiration and continued encouragement on your diving activities.
You are breaking new grounds in the diving community.

I am certain if JYC was still with us he would have his crew following you around to create a program.
He is no longer with us - his organization is in shambles - so hombre it is your responsibility to photograph and document these magnificent glow in the dark rocks-- Maybe some day there will be a Nat Geo Special with you as the star

In the interim once again I urge you get on the rubber chicken lecture circuit - all the service and civic clubs need programs - yours would be one of the best and in high demand.

I entered the rubber chicken lecture circuit well over 50 years ago - initially lecturing on the then very new dive flag which I was involved in its development and was the first Expert Witness for the very first accident of a diver struct by a boat while displaying the divers flag,

With the passing of years my library of programs has expanded to a multitude of subjects, all well researched and documented (my library consists of 2500 dive related volumes).
I need a rest-
When you enter the lecture circuit and run out of dive related programs please contact me
However I suspect you have enough programs for a number of years and will be developing new programs every year

Time for you to begin lecturing - city - local - regional == National ?

Thanks again for such a great early morning visual treat

Sam

cc
@D_B

 

[formernuke]

It would be cool to find and see them, I have no use for them so I would find, look and leave.

 

[Diverdon]

Thank you for the encouragement, Sam. These stones have become somewhat of a local phenom. With the dive season waning, I find the need to do something dive related. Perhaps speaking and fundraising for my cleanup efforts is where I should direct some energy. Firts tere is a little diving left to do

DD