Minerals have the ability to reflect light and therefore to become visible to the human eye. Some minerals (but not all) have the ability to “fluoresce” meaning to temporarily absorb a small amount of light and release it at a different wavelength. This change in wavelength causes a temporary color change of the mineral, visible to the naked eye. This change in color becomes emphatically visible when illuminated in darkness by a UV light. Fluorescence is triggered when UV radiation is absorbed by impurities within the mineral, commonly known as “activators” such as tungsten, titanium, manganese etc. However, some impurities such as iron or copper have the opposite effect, restricting or eliminating fluorescence. Most minerals fluoresce a single color, although exceptions do exist. Many minerals fluoresce one color under Short-Wave UV light (100-280nm) and another color under LongWave UV light (315-400nm). The color emitted makes the identification of the mineral a simple and cost effective task.

Labino UV lights, large and small models, mains or battery models, are used by gemologists, jewelers and hobbyists alike to identify the correct minerals either at a work environment or out in the open.