Sterling Hill Mine

This mine in Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, was one of the world's most significant sites for fluorescent minerals. For many years our Fairleigh Dickinson students visited the mine. This stereogram was made on such an occasion, and shows the late Mr. Gary Weingarten, a volunteer helper in the former Department of Geological Sciences. He is shown examining deposits of zincite and franklinite.

In recent years the mine was given up as a commercial activity: the pumps were turned off, allowing groundwater to fill most of the shafts, and ruining most of the equipment. Probably never again will humans witness the fluorescent (and even phosphorescent!) mineral displays which once could be seen at Sterling Hill. Nowhere in the world is there remaining an accessible site equal to this one.