Here you can find high-resolution photos of several mineral samples, UV mineral samples, speleothems, and caves. Feel free to use any and all photos for any projects you are working on, so long as they are not used to spread misinformation or to train generative AI.
If you want a specific photo of anything taken from a specific angle or have any questions, please contact me.
You can also look at my YouTube channel: On Special Interests. I will be uploading videos of things I find interesting (geology and speleology). Uploads will be irregular and infrequent, as this is a side project of mine.
Mineral GalleryLime soda straw from a bridgeCalciteAmethyst with GoethiteLapis LazuliSodaliteRutilated QuartzWillemite, Franklinite, and CalciteApatiteGoethiteBismuthSilica-CarbideTopazTopazKyaniteIron-Nickel MeteoritePallasite MeteoriteCut StalactiteSpessertite GarnetGarnet Mica SchistMalachite StrawMalachite StrawAmethyst with GoethiteAmethyst with GoethiteAlmandine GarnetBariteRutile on HematiteRutile on HematiteCranberry Iron OreBook of MicaSyniteBIFAmethystFluoriteFluoriteSilica-CarbideWulfeniteVanadiniteWulfeniteVanadiniteIntrusions in FluoriteIntrusions in FluoriteOrange Calcite (Not speleothem)Orange Calcite with scale (Not speleothem)Malachite StrawMalachite StrawRed Calcite with scale (Not speleothem)Tree ResinStalactite with Feeder ChannelStalactite with scaleTV stone/GypsumUV Mineral GalleryAgatized Coral365nm UV310nm UVAmber365nm UV310nm UVAnhydrite365nm UVApatite310nm UVAragonite255nm UVBeryl310nm UVBaryte310nm UVCalcite Crystal365nm UV310nm UVCalcite Rhombohedron365nm UV310/255nm UVCalcite and Dolomite310nm UVCatapleiite365nm UV310nm UV255nm UVChalcedony365nm UV310nm UVFluorite with Dysprosium inclusions365nm UV310nm UVElmWood Calcite Crystal310nm UVQuartz with UV-reactive Phantom365nm UVFluorite with Apatite310nm UVFluorapatite365nm UV310nm UVFluorite365nm UVQuartz Geode365nm UV310nm UV255nm UVHackmanite365nm UVLapis Lazuli365nm UV310nm UV255nm UVOpal365nm UV310nm UVOrthoclase365mn UV255nm UVRhodochrosite310nm UVSap365nm UV310nm UVSmall Sodalite365nm UVBig Sodalite365nm UV310nm UV255nm UVSpecular Hematite255nm UVSpinel365nm UVSyenite365nm UV310nm UVTalc255nm UVTravertine365nm UVSmall Fluorite365nm UVAlmandine Garnet (I am not 100% on this)365nm UV310nm UV255nm UVWillimaite365nm UV310nm UV255nm UVWillimite and Calcite from Franklen mine NJ365nm UV310nm UV255nm UVYooperlite365nm UV310nm UV255nm UVHydrozincite, Diopside, Calcite (255nm UV)Hydrozincite, Diopside, Calcite (255nm UV)Speleothem Gallery
IMPORTANT NOTE: All cut speleothem samples were taken with permission and were found broken. No ‘live’ speleothems were damaged to perform the geochemical analysis. If you are in a cave, do not break the speleothems and do not remove anything without permission from the owner.
All cut samples were taken with the DSLR and equipment mentioned at the bottom of the page.
Gigantis ColoumnRainbow SpeleoAbove Rainbow SpeleoAcicular Aragonite, Pinky for scaleConulet/Mud CupYellow fluorescentsSmall Cave RaftsCave Bacon with RibsBlack Band in BaconBBB from another angleStalagmiteStalagmiteSnail Shell Calcifide to formationBlack Color on StalagmiteCave PopcornRimstone DamsCave RaftCave RaftCave RaftHelictiteWar Clubs (Upside down for some reason)HelictiteSoda StrawCave GalleryNatural Entrance at BCPendant SpeleogensWall of Small FormationsNatural Entrance at BCBridal Veil Falls (BC)Peracetic Fold in Cave140ft Pit in VA140ft Pit in VA
Process for these photos
The normal light mineral photos were taken with a Nikon D40 DSLR camera, using either high CRI (Color Rendition Index) lights such as Zebralights H600d Mk IV 18650 XHP50.2 5000K High CRI Headlamp or a camera flash (PHOTOOLEX Camera Flash Speedlite FK300, GN33). The same camera and flash were used in the photography of many speleothems, with the addition of a Calibrite ColorChecker Passport 2. This was included to allow for color correction in post.
Many of the Photographs of speleothems were done with an iPhone 16, as it’s more portable than a DSLR. All of the UV mineral photos were taken on the iPhone 16, as UV lights tend to wash out DSLR photos in red.
The UV lights used for the photography are: Convoy T3 365nm UV, Engenious Designs B310-1-mini 310nm UV, and Stimac Engineering 255nm UV.
Clay Couch 