Why the glowing rocks under New Jersey fascinate geochemists

Scientists are using the unique minerals of northern New Jersey to reveal new insights about the ground beneath our feet. ↓↓More info and references below↓↓
The Franklin-Sterling Hill area of New Jersey is home to a prized mineral deposit that has fascinated geochemists and collectors for decades-not least because many of the minerals are vibrantly fluorescent. In this episode of Speaking of Chemistry, Kerri Jansen visits the Sterling Hill Mining Museum and the National Gem and Mineral Collection to learn why New Jersey’s rocks are so special and what scientists hope to learn from the minerals, photogenic and otherwise.
For more information:
The Sterling Hill Mining Museum
www.sterlinghi...
The National Gem and Mineral Collection
www.si.edu/spo...
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[@waynedombrowski7568]

I'm a glowhound,a.k.a. fluorescent mineral collector here. It's a horrible condition. I want to own every one. I have a fair number of good quality Franklin specimens but have yet to make the pilgrimage to the Mecca of my obsession - something to look foreward to! Gorgeous,wonderous things! There are many fantastic places where fluorescents can be found in the U.S. and around the world,but very few come anywhere near this deposit.

[@toobeast5485]

😭😭 you are hilarious man. These minerals are truly glowing 🌟

[@Lex1uth3r]

Its worth the trip. I'm very lucky in that I grew up in Northern NJ and this is the place that got me into rock hounding and collecting. Decades later I live about 30 mins away and have made many trips to the mines, dumps and surrounding areas and have a reasonable collection of samples from tiny fragments to a couple big glowing 25-30lbs beasts. If you're looking for something let me know!

[@lesjones5684]

You will never get them back from the Smithsonian 😅😅😅😅😅

[@PennyRitz]

You don't need to. You can go and get your own. ;)

[@mikesnitro]

I have a large display of Franklin/Sterling fluorescents in my basement. I spent the past Spring looking for radioactive minerals from Franklin. I have a few to ID. Will have to ask Earl for help. I asked Rutgers/Newark to see if their students wanted to assist in identification. Nobody showed interest.

[@PhotoHutchVids]

Fantastic video on fluorescents. Thanks for posting!

[@aung3627]

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[@AutoWorldzz]

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[@marcussmart3275]

Now I want to go to new Jersey lol

[@patrickmcneilly4293]

Bit late but, if I recall, there is enough zinc in the hill that if the price of zinc goes up, they can reopen the mine once more.

[@waynemartin7574]

But it will never happen cuz it's in new jersey

[@Dirtyswrath]

I want some!