[Rockhounds] Telling the UV from the Lamppost.

[DonH]

Tom Bowers wrote:
> So, those folks who sell safety glasses for viewing shortwave fluoresence, are those just normal glass lens glasses?


Most of them that I've seen are just UV-blocking safety glasses.  As 
I've noted in the past, any good home supply store will have a section 
for safety gear, and the UV-blocking capacity (99%, 99.9%, etc.) will be 
marked on the label, as well as the blocking capacity for UV-A, UV-B, UV-C.

Once I had a pair of safety glasses that had somewhat of a golden tone 
to them.  They provided the best view of fl. minerals that I've seen.  I 
think it was more a factor of contrast enhancement than any kind of 
special UV blocking.  I lost them somewhere along the way and haven't 
found the same brand since.  These reminded me of those "blu blocker" 
sunglasses that were popular some years ago.  They seem to block more of 
the borderline light, just on the edge between UV and visible violet, 
and therefore enhance contrast and sharpness.

As far as "those folks," that's a pretty big list, but I will say that a 
lot of amateurs have jumped on the UV bandwagon in the last 10-15 years. 
  Many of them don't know what they're doing or are just trying to make 
a fast buck off the unsuspecting customer, or both.  Caveat emptor 
maximus extremis!


Best,
Don