RADIOACTIVE MINERALS

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RADIOACTIVE MINERAL SPECIMENS ! !
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= Fluorescent Specimen
  =  Radioactive Specimen

NEW TITLE
“INTRODUCTION TO RADIOACTIVE MINERALS
”, By Dr. Robert J. Lauf, 144 pages, 11” X 8 1/2”, soft cover, illustrated with 196 color, and b/w photos.  Collectors have long admired uranium and thorium minerals for their brilliant colors, the intense ultraviolet fluorescence of many of them, and their rich variety of habits and associates.  Radioactive minerals are also critically important as our source of nuclear energy. Understanding them is crucial to the safe disposal of radioactive waste.
This book provides a systematic overview of the mineralogy of uranium and thorium-bearing minerals, generously illustrated with nearly 200 color photos and electron micrographs of representative specimens.  Dr. Lauf has also included an historical discussion of the discovery of radioactive elements and the development of uranium and thorium ore deposits, a discussion of the geochemical conditions that produce significant deposits, and a description of important localities, their geological setting and history.
Major occurrences of interest to mineral collectors are arranged geographically. The minerals are arranged systematically, to emphasize how they fit into chemical groups, and for each group several minerals are selected to illustrate their formation and general characteristics.
This book is an invaluable guide for mineral collectors, particularly those specializing in collecting fluorescent minerals.  With the resurgence of interest in nuclear power, the book will also provide valuable information for nuclear scientists and engineers interested in radioactive deposits.
Published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA, 2007.
ISBN: 9780764329128
Shipping weight:  3 pounds
Order Item BK0351
Price:  $29.95
mi1058.jpg (29085 bytes) SAMARSKITE-(Y)
Oregon #3 Mine, South Platte District, Jefferson County, Colorado
Samarskite-(Y) is an uncommon radioactive, uranium and rare earth element bearing mineral with the composition (Y,Fe,U)(Nb,Ta)04. Samarskite-(Y) is very shiny brown-black on a broken surface, exhibiting conchoidal fracture, and has a dull luster on unbroken or natural surfaces. The pegmatite deposits of the South Platte District have been known since the 1920’s and worked for rare earth element bearing minerals, and other minerals of economic importance, beginning in the early 1950’s. These specimens were probably collected circa the early 1970’s. All are masses of pure, brown-black Samarskite-(Y) without matrix or associated mineralization. The accompanying photograph shows several typical examples of Samarskite-(Y), in a group photo.

MI-1058

WEIGHT
(GRAMS)

SPECIMEN SIZE
(INCHES)

mR/hr @ 1”
CD V-700 GM
COUNTER

CPM @ 1”
CD V-700 GM
COUNTER

SPECIMEN
PRICE

A.

3.83

5/8

3/8

3/8

2

1,330

SOLD

B.

10.12

1 1/4

1

1/4

3.5

2,250

SOLD

C.

10.35

1

5/8

1/2

2.5

1,660

SOLD

D.

10.62

7/8

5/8

1/2

3.5

2,350

SOLD

E.

10.70

1

5/8

1/2

3.5

2,350

SOLD

F.

11.70

7/8

5/8

5/8

3.5

2,350

SOLD

G.

13.96

1 1/4

3/4

1/2

3.75

2,400

SOLD












G.


H.


I.


J.

mi1040k.jpg (435220 bytes)
K.

mi1040l.jpg (43535 bytes)
L.

mi1040m.jpg (38960 bytes)
M.

URANINITE
Mi Vida Mine, 39 Miles SE of Moab, San Juan County, Utah
The ore from this famous locality consisted mainly of Uraninite, Coffinite, Montroseite, occasionally minor amounts of Pyrite and other sulfides, and various secondary Vanadium-bearing minerals, usually in a sandstone matrix.  The matrix is often banded, or layered.  The Uranium-bearing minerals were found as rich veins within the matrix, or as pods or masses composed of Uraninite, sometimes replacing fossil wood.  Specimens marked N in the table below are in natural condition, as collected, and exhibit rich veins or masses of black Uraninite in modest amounts of matrix, or without associated rock matrix.  Specimens marked E are the same, with varying amounts of Epoxy applied to one or more of the natural surfaces. This was done by researchers working for the AEC in the 1950’s to early 1960’s, as part of the process of analyzing the ore, i.e., prior to cutting specimens with a diamond saw blade.  The samples were analyzed to calculate the richness of the Uraninite ore, and to identify the associated minerals.  The Epoxy provided a seal coat over the Uraninite for both safe handling of the specimens, and as part of the stabilization process which was done to prepare the specimens to be cut with a diamond blade saw.  Item H. has been cut and polished (CP) on one side.  Part of the back has also been cut, but not polished.  The edges and back of the specimen have been coated with Epoxy (E) for stabilization and safe handling.  Item S. has been cut and polished (CP) on one large surface, with minor amounts of clear Epoxy (E) applied to the natural, uncut edges and back of the specimen.

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 Uraninite.  A 35% quantity discount is applicable to specimens weighing > 400 grams (items L., M., O., Q., R., and T.), and the 35% discount has already been deducted in the prices printed below Order item MI-1040, specimen numbers A. through U.  Note: Don’t be discouraged by the low mR/hr and CPM’s of item A. – it is a small specimen so would automatically give lower readings than the larger specimens!

HISTORY:  All of the specimens from the Mi Vida Mine are from the collection of Dr. Eugene B. Gross.  For background information on his collection of radioactive minerals, please read the notes at the top of page 5 of this section of the web site, featuring radioactive minerals.  Item T. is the largest Uraninite specimen Dr. Gross had in his collection, from any of the localities in the “Colorado Plateau” – all of which have been closed and depleted for 35 years or more.

 

   

MI-1040

WEIGHT(GRAMS)

SPECIMEN SIZE(INCHES)

 SPECIMEN PREPA-RATION

mR/hr @ 1”
CD V-700 GM
COUNTER

CPM @ 1”
CD V-700 GM
COUNTER

SPECIMEN
PRICE

A.

8.22 7/8 5/8 1/2 E 20 13,300

SOLD

B.

21.05 7/8 7/8 5/8 E 40 25,000

SOLD

C.

30.00 1 1/4 1 3/4 N 10 7,500

SOLD

D.

48.30 2 1/2 1 1/4 5/8 N 25 16,600

SOLD

E.

66.20 2 1/2 1 3/8 5/8 N 15 10,000

SOLD

F.

69.45 1 5/8 1 1/8 7/8 E >50 >30,000

SOLD

G.

110.66

2

1 3/4

1

E

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

H.

114.00

3 1/4

1 1/8

5/8

CP + E

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

I.

123.10

2

1 1/2

1 1/8

E

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

J.

175.00

2 1/4

1 5/8

1 3/8

E

> 45

> 27,500

SOLD

K.

253.35

2 1/2

1 3/4

1 3/8

E

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

L.

452.50

3 1/2

2 1/2

1 1/2

N

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

M.

463.40

3 1/2

2 3/4

1 1/2

N

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

N.

267.00

3 1/4

2

1 5/8

N

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

0.

426.30

4

1 7/8

1 5/8

N

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

P.

314.95

2 3/4

2

1 3/4

E

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

Q.

563.60

3 5/8

2 3/4

1 3/4

N

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

R.

740.00

4 1/2

3 1/4

1 1/2

N

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

S.

268.85

3 1/2

1 5/8

1 1/2

CP + E

> 50

> 30,000

SOLD

T.

8.75

Lot of 5 small specimens, averaging  +/- 3/8” up to 1/2” in size.

N

20

13,300

$ 7.00 / lot

 


N.


O.

mi1040p.jpg (479400 bytes)
P.
 
mi1040q.jpg (470015 bytes)
Q.
 

mi1040r.jpg (109362 bytes)
R.

mi1040s.jpg (344932 bytes)
S.
.
.
.
 

SCHOEPITE, CUPROSKLODOWSKITE, URANOPHANE, MALACHITE
Musonoi Extension, near Kolwezi, Shaba Province, Zaire
Light lemon yellow crystalline and micro xls. of Schoepite are on matrix with rich amounts of apple green acicular Cuprosklodowskite.  Additionally, the matrix is heavily included with rich amounts of massive Cuprosklodowskite.  Pale green Malachite, and small amounts of pale yellow massive to micro acicular Uranophane are also present.  William Pinch collection.
mR/hr: > 50
CPM:   > 30,000
Specimen size:  2 1/2” X 1 1/2” X 1 1/8”
Order Item No. MI-1214
Price:  $160.

 

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