4. What are the different lights used for? The short version…

Category: Everything you need to know
  • Light Applications:
    • Daylight:
      • Mimics sunlight for a natural stone appearance.
    • Incandescent:
      • Replicates the typical incandescent light for stones with color-changing properties (e.g., alexandrite, some garnets, and sapphires).
    • Infrared Light:
      • The light isn’t as bright underground and more tolerable to your companion who may not be expecting a bright light after their eyes have adjusted to less light. The red light doesn’t travel as far, so it isn’t visible for long distances if exploring at night and not wanting to draw undue attention to yourself..
    • Longwave (A) UV 395 nm and Longwave (A1) UV 365 nm:
      • There is a whole world of fluorescence from minerals to evidence gathering. Consult google or your local mineral club for specific stone experiments, examinations and applications.
    • Blue Amber Inspection Light:
      • Utilized for differentiating between natural and artificial amber, examining jade and agates for flaws and cracks. I find it more useful than the brighter daylight or incandescent lights, and it seems to “dye” the flaws and cracks with the blue light, while not blinding you with a bright light if you are examining the agate or jade with the light passing through the stone, and I’ve also experienced the “blue light” inducing fluorescent reactions in certain stones.
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