They are already getting hard to find due to how easy it is to spot them (in the dark) I think by the end of next summer they will be as difficult to find as agates. The local hardware store in Calumet Mi. told me in August they had sold over a thousand LED blacklights and had another thousand coming.
Yes, In fact it's EXTRA long wave UV, 365nm. A standard long wave barely get a glow, short wave gets almost no response. I suspect the reason they weren't found until recently is their response is perfect for the LED UV lights.
I live in Michigan and my neighbors have gone up to the UP and found them. The best time to look is in the spring, because they wash up all the time and people aren't out in the winter.
My neighbors were surprised that yooperlites have no distinguishing features compared to other rocks. They thought once they found a few they could examine them in regular light and then hunt for the ones that look right. But they really are indistinguishable from other rocks on the beaches.
They are already getting hard to find due to how easy it is to spot them (in the dark)
ReplyDeleteI think by the end of next summer they will be as difficult to find as agates.
The local hardware store in Calumet Mi. told me in August they had sold over a thousand LED blacklights and had another thousand coming.
Interesting (and probably not surprising). I'll be heading to the Two Harbors area, but I expect that will be picked over as well.
DeleteI don't see the beachcombers in the video wearing glasses, so is it safe to assume these fluoresces under long-wave UV?
ReplyDeleteYes, In fact it's EXTRA long wave UV, 365nm. A standard long wave barely get a glow, short wave gets almost no response.
DeleteI suspect the reason they weren't found until recently is their response is perfect for the LED UV lights.
Thanks!
DeleteI live in Michigan and my neighbors have gone up to the UP and found them. The best time to look is in the spring, because they wash up all the time and people aren't out in the winter.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbors were surprised that yooperlites have no distinguishing features compared to other rocks. They thought once they found a few they could examine them in regular light and then hunt for the ones that look right. But they really are indistinguishable from other rocks on the beaches.