We have enjoyed the beautiful holiday lights, but it is like that at any time of the year when our minerals light up under long wave and short wave light.

But what in the minerals cause them to glow? Why is it that calcite and fluorite tend to glow more commonly but not always? Are some mineral from certain localities more likely to glow?

We loved this presentation by Bob Oblack in the past, and as a member of the Fluorescent Mineral Society, he may have some answers. Please bring both some rocks and your questions as we explore this topic.