MRC will be offering the personal radioactive mineral collection of Dr. Eugene B. Gross which consists of hundreds of specimens from dozens of locations throughout the U.S.A. as well as worldwide localities.  Dr. Gross collected this material during the 1950's to early 1960's "boom days" of the Colorado Plateau mining experience.  While working for the U.S. Geologic Survey and the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Dr. Gross was able to collect the highest quality specimens that were ever available from working mines of the period that are no longer producing; specimens that would not normally be available to the collector.  

Other unique radioactive mineral specimens from world wide locations will also be found on the following pages.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RADIOACTIVE MINERAL SPECIMENS ! !
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 METATORBERNITE 
Musonoi Mine, Shaba Province, Zaire

The basic description for Metatorbernite from this locality is that the mineral forms lustrous, tabular, dark emerald green crystals, often standing up on edge, tightly intergrown, usually with a very rich coverage of crystals on the surface of the matrix. Metatorbernite is a copper and uranium-bearing phosphate -- a member of the Autunite group.  Not fluorescent. In the past, the Musonoi Mine has produced what are certainly among the finest specimens of Metatorbernite found, worldwide.  At the present time, specimens are very difficult to obtain.  Associated minerals on item A. include small amounts of botryoidal Malachite, and micro sprays of apple green Cuprosklodowskite.  Items B. and C. are Metatorbernite only, without associated mineralization.  Metatorbernite is:  Cu²⁺(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂)^.8H₂O.   For background information on this locality see the Katanga! special issue of the "Mineralogical Record" magazine, Vol. 20, No. 4, July-August 1989, P.  274-275, and 286.  If you do not have this invaluable reference on the Uranium mines and minerals of the Shaba Province in Zaire, we have copies available for purchase, priced at $16.00 plus shipping.  Order item MR20-4.

 METATORBERNITE 

The Shinkolobwe Mine produced quantities of world class specimens of Metatorbernite during its heyday, but at the present time good specimens can only be found in old collections as the mine is no longer producing.  Both specimens featured below are from the collection of Dr. Eugene B. Gross, each with numerous medium to dark green color tabular crystals of Metatorbernite on matrix.  Metatorbernite is a copper and uranium-bearing phosphate -- a member of the Autunite group.  Not fluorescent.  For background information on the Shinkolobwe Mine and Metatorbernite that was found at this well-known locality for uranium-bearing minerals, see the Katanga! special issue of the "Mineralogical Record" magazine, Vol. 20, No. 4, July-August 1989, P. 268-269, 271-273, and 286.  If you do not have this invaluable reference on the Uranium mines and minerals of the Shaba Province in Zaire, we have copies available for purchase, priced at $16.00 plus shipping.  Order item MR20-4.

ANDERSONITE 
Monte Cristo Mine, near Moab, Grand County, Utah

Andersonite is a rare mineral from the “Colorado Plateau” district of the Western USA, mined during the “cold war” Uranium rush of the 1950’s to early 1960’s.  At this locality, Andersonite was usually found as bright yellow-green coatings and masses, deposited on fracture seams in / on light colored sandstone matrix.  Andersonite is a highly fluorescent mineral, with excellent responses in both shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) ultraviolet (UV).  The two photographs show Andersonite in white light, and in LW UV.  The roughly circular area of Andersonite enrichment shown in the photos is 1” X 7/8” in diameter.  Additional vein-like enrichments of Andersonite can be seen on both the front and back of the sandstone matrix.  This one of a kind specimen is from the collection of Dr. Eugene B. Gross. It was probably personally collected by Dr. Gross during his field work connected with his employment by the U.S.G.S. or the A.E.C.  Chemical composition of Andersonite is: Na₂Ca(UO₂)(CO₃)₃.6H₂O

TYUYAMUNITE
Monument #2 Mine, Monument Valley, Apache County, Arizona

These examples of bright golden-yellow Tyuyamunite are from the Eugene B. Gross collection of Uranium-bearing minerals, probably personally collected by Dr. Gross during the early 1960’s.  Items A. through E. are masses of solid, bright golden-yellow Tyuyamunite with little or no rock matrix.  Item E. is a lot of two small specimens, both similar in appearance to Items B. and E.  Items F. and G. are matrix specimens with the bright golden-yellow Tyuyamunite deposited as thin coatings on sandstone matrix.  All specimens are of very good, to exceptional quality for this mineral, from a mine that is now a part of the history of the “Uranium rush” of the late 1950’s to early 1960’s.  The gram weights are given, as well as the sizes of the specimens in inches, plus readings with the CD V-700, to assist you in determining the relative richness of the Tyuyamunite.  The gram weights are given solely as a measure of specimen size.  Specimens are not priced by the gram. Tyuyamunite is: Ca(UO₂)₂V₂O₈^.5-8H₂O.
 

F.

G.

SCHOEPITE, URANINITE, ETC.
Lookout # 22 Claim, Marshall Pass District, Saguache Co., Colorado

This is our fourth offer of specimens from the Lookout #22 Claim.  These specimens were part of the Dr. Eugene B. Gross collection of Uraninite and other Uranium-bearing minerals from Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and other “Colorado Plateau” localities.  Dr. Gross worked with both the U.S.G.S. and A.E.C. during his professional career, and one of his specialties was the radioactive mineral deposits of the Southwestern USA.

 In this group we are featuring the secondary minerals from the Lookout #22 Claim.  Several of the specimens have modest amounts of massive black Uraninite present, however, the secondary minerals are the primary focus this time.  A list of the mineral species identified from this locality will be sent along with each of the specimens.  Minerals identified on these specimens include one or more of the following, all in massive form: Schoepite, Becquerelite, Uranophane, Boltwoodite, Soddyite, Compreignacite, Uraninite, and/or Metazeunerite.  Schoepite is yellow-golden in color, and is most often seen as veins and micro botryoidal forms.  Metazeunerite is light green, platy to crystalline. Uraninite is black.   All of the other minerals occur in various colors of yellow, yellow-golden, etc.  It is not possible to visually identify or differentiate the various yellow to golden color minerals.  All are highly radioactive!

 A 10% quantity discount is applicable to items H. through L., and the 10% quantity discount has already been deducted in the price printed below.  Why price by the gram?  Uraninite is heavy!  With a measured specific gravity of between 6.5 and 10.0, Uraninite is one of the heaviest of the non-metallic minerals.  Giving the gram weights, as well as the sizes of the specimens in inches, will hopefully assist you in determining the relative richness of the Uraninite.  Order MI-1284, items A. through L.

 The Uraninite from the Lookout # 22 Claim is described on Page 514 in “Minerals of Colorado”, and the secondary uranium-bearing minerals are described on numerous pages within the book.   Click here to access the description of “Minerals of Colorado”, along with a color photo of the book jacket, if you do not have this book in your reference library.  (books 7, item 7-6)