Zircons with strong absorption lines
Three of six cut zircons (Zr Si O_4) from my collection. These show the strongest absorption lines (from uranium). The largest of the three, a green Burmese stone, exhibits detectable radioactivity with my Geiger counter.
The luminescence spectra contain mostly rather diffuse bands (compared to the other three zircons). Most of these bands correspond to the groups of sharper emission lines seen in the weak absorption stones. The green stone appears to show a self-absorbed luminescence spectrum - particularly close to 650nm.
Flickr page for this photo.
Visit the Eye for Science Flickr group.
Get the "Eye for Science" widget
here
and install it on your own blog. Spread the scienticity!
Like this image? Want it for your smartphone wallpaper?
Use this QR Code to load it on your smartphone and enjoy!