UV Light-The Colors- Cool Ck It Out

Just got this in the mail from ebay today- easy to use and quite effective- the uv short wave caught the tags the uv long just looked like a little flashlight beam not effective all in one uv light detector short and long wave devise about $44.00 on ebay. I do lapidary too so will be cool looking at stamps and rocks. I hope I posted this in the right place this time if not chew me out later enjoy the pictures, the Olympics turned out very well, I am impressed.

Larry, cool pictures! Can you tell us what light you bought? That might help some of us decide what to get.

Peter

I got the $44.00 one- the link here is to their site and they sell some on ebay.

http://www.ultraviolet-tools.com/ul...s/cat_1.html

here is the description and the site has a small video-

http://www.ultraviolet-tools.com/ul.../prod_1.html

Our beginners shortwave and longwave ultraviolet lamp. The shortwave UV is a enhanced four watt fluorescent tube emits the shortwave UV (254nm) specifically tuned to put out 40% more UV than other lamps of the same size. The longwave UV is emitted by a 375nm led putting out true longwave UV with minimal violet emitted light.
Did you know 90% of fluorescent minerals require a filtered shortwave UV light? The optical filter is a specialized piece of glass on top of the lamp. Among fluorescent minerals other uses for this handy little lamp include stamp collecting, science experiments, counterfeit detection, and more.

Note: While the most affordable lamp on the market this lamp is not designed to be a field lamp. Our other shortwave lamps that are larger can be used out in the field. This lamp works well with rocks held in your hand. Shipping cost: $5.95 USA Anywhere International $16.00

Lamp Size: 6-1/2" x 2-1/4" x 3/4"
Wattage: Enhanced 4W
Bulb: Filtered Shortwave 254nm UV
Batteries Required: 4 AA

It is advised to use protective clothing and eyewear, and to limit exposure to short periods. Perhpaps this is covered in the safety documentation.

Larry, I have been using this same model for several years now and I love it! I use rechargeable batteries and have no complaints.

Peter

Just bought the lamp on ebay. The one I have is junk. Can't wait to play tag. Thanks for the tip.

Exact same situation. This one costs less than the bulb I needed to fix the one I had. Does the same thing. Thanks!


-IBFS

One of my favorite topics. Great pics, LarryBruce!

To detect luminescent tagging on most US stamps, you MUST used a filtered short wavelength UV lamp (~254nm works fine and is standard). The long wavelength lamps vary at peak wavelength and do NOT work for detecting tagging on US stamps. In fact, the purpose of the filtering on the short wavelength UV lamps is to remove the tail extending into the long wavelength UV range.

Remember, this applies to US stamps. Tagging on stamps from other countries may or may not have different excitation energy requirements.

You will find the long wavelength UV lamp useful for detecting hi-brite paper varieties, and also for detecting some forms of chemical alteration of stamps. Also great for detecting mold/mildew infections in stamp collections.

Just got mine in the mail. It comes with rocks and a stamp to play with. Loads of fun. Now I will give myself a tan and go look at my stamps.


-IBFS

I notice most value raise in stamps from catalogs like scott is for untagged stamps. Ironic that we bought a uv light to detect tagged stamps when we are looking for untagged stamps. pffft lol murphys law? oh well still fun to nuke em till they glow, lol.

Received my light today. Works great.

This thread is a little older, but does anyone have a recommendation of protective eyewear and where to get it? Thanks so much!

Wondergreen, I think sunglasses will do fine. But to look at stamps you don't need protection; just do not look at or into the bulb!

Peter

I have a question about the use of these Short & Long Wave Ultraviolet Lamps.

Has any one researched uses for these lamps in Watermarking, fault detection, cancels, and other stamp areas?

I know what these lamps are used to detect, but was wondering even tho the older stamps do not respond in the same way, was there any value in using them?

Cheers

David (Stampmaster)

They can be useful in detecting alterations(removed cancels and filled thins can both sometimes show up under UV).

I use a long wave LED flashlight (bought a bunch of them from China couple of years ago) and it works great for most everything except US stamps. You can sometimes see florescence on cleaned stamps left from the soap. Haven't been able to get them in short wave yet, the prices on short wave LEDs are still too high, I believe.