Cuspidine - Franklin, NJ

Description

A rare specimen of fluorescent cuspidine. This is a rich, large miniature of one of the true rare classic fluorescent species from the Franklin mine. Cuspidine is a calcium silicate fluorohydrate and is considered one of the rarer fluorescent species from the Franklin-Sterling Hill zinc mining district. The cuspidine has a sub-vitreous luster. It also has an irregular fracture and is tan to off-white in color. The cuspidine sits in a coarse, white, translucent calcite or dolomite matrix along with sub-vitreous, bright yellow grains of garnet and black, metallic grains of franklinite, and minor spots of willemite. The cuspidine fluoresces bright orange under shortwave (254nm) ultraviolet light, the calcite fluoresces a bright red, and the willemite and bright green. This specimen is from the collection of Don Newsome. Newsome is the founder and president of UV Systems, Inc., and is the inventor of the SuperBright and TripleBright ultraviolet lights. He is also the founder of the Fluorescent Mineral Society, Inc., and is presently on its Board of Directors. Newsome had amassed a superlative fluorescent mineral collection, of which a sizable portion were specimens from Franklin and Sterling Hill.
This specimen was originally up for auction during the annual mineral auction at the Franklin Mineral Museum in Franklin, NJ., in November 2022. It was auction item number 9. This is a excellent, museum-quality display specimen, and we seldom have such high-quality specimens as this one available. This is considered an all-around specimen and can be viewed from multiple positions. Though a small specimen, it definitely fits any collector's need for one of the rarer fluorescent species from the district.
Dimensions are
8.0x5.8x4.2cm - 3¼x2¼x1½in.
Please note the centimeter cube and inch bar for scale.
Weight in grams and ounces:
193.1g - 6.81oz.
From the
Franklin mine, Franklin, NJ.
The previous collection this specimen was in is #230, Don Newsome Collection.
#230 is the museum's Collection Sale number previously offered in the museum shop.
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All potential buyers need to be aware that being able to view fluorescent minerals requires an ultraviolet lamp. Most of the minerals from the Franklin and Sterling Hill zinc mining district fluoresce under
shortwave ultraviolet light
.
The shortwave wavelength is
254nm
or otherwise known as
UV C
. Always read the description carefully to determine if the main mineral of interest for a particular specimen will fluoresce.
ALL
fluorescent minerals depicted in our storefront are illuminated by two (2) 35 watt Triple short/mid/long wave AC 35SML-110/220 Way Too Cool LLC ultraviolet lamps.
There are several available brands and models of ultraviolet lights on eBay and other online sources. For further information on ultraviolet light and fluorescent minerals, copy and paste the following and go to >>>
geology.com/articles/fluorescent-minerals
.
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DISCLAIMER: Every reasonable effort was made to identify the mineral species noted in each specimen accurately. The occasional label from previous collection(s) may misidentify some species, and the current title and description here reflect the latest mineral species identification.
A modest effort was made to depict a fluorescent specimen accurately as possible.
In some cases, overexposure should be expected in select photographs to compensate for a fluorescent specimen's weak response.
All buyers should exercise safe viewing practices regarding the use of ultraviolet light. Visual dark adaption is highly recommended in the optimal viewing of fluorescent minerals. Buyers should also be aware of what type of lighting to view the specimens under. This can result in perceived differences of color and contrast due to color and contrast shifting under various kinds of lights available.
All photographs were taken with a Nikon D5300 digital camera with a Nikon DX AF-S 18-55mm lens attached with a UV filter. Lighting was done with a pair of OSRAM 8.5 watt LED A19 5000K 800 lumens bulbs in brushed aluminum reflectors. The photographs were processed on a color-calibrated flat panel monitor. Do note the Imperial measurement conversion is the nearest equivalent to the listed metric measurement.
--- All photographs appearing on this listing or any other Franklin Mineral Museum listing are the property of the Franklin Mineral Museum. Photographs
can be used strictly for personal use onl
y
. Otherwise, the photographs posted here are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws. They are not to be downloaded or reproduced for public use or distribution in any way without the written permission of the Franklin Mineral Museum.