List of Things That Glow Under Black Light


Things that glow under black light
Plastic stars, toys, urine, and tonic water are some things that glow under black light.
Black Light Bulb (Kallemax)
Black Light Bulb (Kallemax)

A black light is a type of light bulb that emits mostly ultraviolet radiation. Although most bulbs also give off a faint violet glow, the majority of the light is outside the visible range. This energetic radiation excites molecules, often producing fluorescence or phosphorescence. A visible photon is released when a molecule loses the absorbed energy, making the substance appear to glow in the dark.

List of Things That Glow Under a Black Light

Scorpions Glow Under Ultraviolet Light (Jonbeebe)
Scorpions Glow Under Ultraviolet Light (Jonbeebe)
  • Tonic water (quinine) – glows blue
  • Hennessy V.S Limited Edition cognac bottle – bottle glows bright green (liquor does not glow)
  • Some vitamins and drugs – B12 glows bright yellow
  • Chlorophyll – glows red
  • Flying squirrels – bright bubblegum pink (fluorescence is extremely rare in mammals)
  • Puffin beaks – bright blue
  • Chameleon bones – bright blue, visible through living skin
  • Scorpions – glow blue or green
  • Glow in the dark paint
  • People
  • Teeth – usually glow white under black light
  • Antifreeze
  • Fluorescent minerals – glow various colors
  • Many gemstones – including rubies
  • About 1/4 of diamonds – glow various colors under black light
  • Some body fluids, such as urine and blood
  • Fluorescent dyes
  • Bank notes – green strips in US currency
  • Laundry detergent – glow blue
  • Irish Spring soap – green
  • Mr. Clean liquid cleaner
  • Banana spots
Banana Spots Glow Under Black Light (endolith)
Banana Spots Glow Under Black Light (endolith)
  • Some toys
  • Most types of fishing line
  • Some plastics
  • White paper – white or blue-white
  • Passports
  • Some cosmetics
  • Some animals, plants, and fungi (especially marine life) – usually green or blue
  • Petroleum jelly (e.g.,Vaseline) – glows blue
  • Uranium glass or vaseline glass – glow green, yellow, or blue
  • Rock salt
  • Fungus that causes Athlete’s Foot – glows orange
  • Turmeric (a spice)
  • Olive oil
  • Canola oil
  • Some flowers
  • Certain postage stamps
  • Highlighter pens – variety of colors
  • Honey
  • Ketchup
  • Cotton balls
  • Pipe cleaners – usually glow blue-white, although fluorescent ones can glow other colors

More Things That Glow Under Black Light

Gallery of Things Glowing Under Black Light