Why the glowing rocks under New Jersey fascinate geochemists

Scientists are using the unique minerals of northern New Jersey to reveal new insights about the ground beneath our feet. ↓↓More info and references below↓↓

The Franklin–Sterling Hill area of New Jersey is home to a prized mineral deposit that has fascinated geochemists and collectors for decades—not least because many of the minerals are vibrantly fluorescent. In this episode of Speaking of Chemistry, Kerri Jansen visits the Sterling Hill Mining Museum and the National Gem and Mineral Collection to learn why New Jersey’s rocks are so special and what scientists hope to learn from the minerals, photogenic and otherwise.

For more information:

The Sterling Hill Mining Museum
https://www.sterlinghillminingmuseum....

The National Gem and Mineral Collection
https://www.si.edu/spotlight/geogallery

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