 |
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 |

MI-1413

MI-1414

MI-1415

MI-1416

MI-1417 |
AESCHYNITE-(Y) 
Clora May Mine, Trout Creek Pass, near Buena Vista, Chaffee County,
Colorado
The Clora May Mine is also known as Mina Blanca
or the Clara May Lode. Several other rare earth element-bearing minerals
have been identified from this locality. For background information, see
“Minerals of Colorado”, E. Eckel, P. 12 (1997). Aeschynite-(Y) from this
locality is available as pure, brownish-black masses without matrix
or associated mineralization, very shiny on the fresh surfaces. Note:
Item MI-1417 is a very large specimen – 386.90 grams = approximately 85%,
or 7/8 of a pound. The accompanying photograph was supplied by Rudy
Bolona, a Colorado mineral collector. This looks like a nice looking
place to go field collecting! Aeschynite-(Y) is (Y,Ca,Fe,Th)(Ti,Nb)2(O,OH)6.
|
ITEM
NO.
MI- |
WEIGHT
(GRAMS) |
SPECIMEN SIZE
(INCHES) |
mR/hr @ 1”
CD V-700 GM
COUNTER |
CPM @ 1”
CD V-700 GM
COUNTER |
SPECIMEN
PRICE |
|
1413 |
3.55 |
1 1/8 |
1/2 |
1/8-1/4 |
2.5 |
1,660 |
SOLD |
|
1414 |
74.22 |
1 7/8 |
1 1/4 |
7/8 |
7 |
5,000 |
$ 67.00 |
|
1415 |
77.73 |
1 5/8 |
1 1/2 |
3/4 |
7 |
5,000 |
$ 70.00 |
|
1416 |
88.70 |
2 1/2 |
1 1/4 |
5/8 |
7 |
5,000 |
SOLD |
|
1417 |
386.90 |
2 3/4 |
1 7/8 |
1 1/2 |
10 |
7,500 |
SOLD |
|
1418 |
4.50 |
Lot of 6 small frag-ments, +/- 1/4” to
7/8” |
2.5 |
1,660 |
SOLD |

Clora May Mine |
|
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 |
|
|

1510

1511

1512

1513

1514

1515

1516

1517 |
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 SPECIMEN PREPARATION column 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 S
have been sawed on one surface with a lapidary saw. This was sometimes
done by researchers working for the Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950’s
to early 1960’s, as part of the process of analyzing the ore. The samples
from various mines were analyzed to calculate the richness of the
Uraninite ore, and to identify the associated minerals. Specimens marked
E have varying amounts of Epoxy applied to one or more of the natural
surfaces. 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 for sawing with a diamond saw blade.
The numbers in ( ) following the S = number of saw cuts, and the numbers
in ( ) following the E = number of sides of the specimen coated with
Epoxy.
The gram weights are given, as well as the sizes of the specimens in
inches, plus readings with the CD V-700, to assist in determining the
relative richness of the Uraninite. Note that smaller specimens will
naturally give lower readings, and larger examples will usually give
higher responses, dependent upon the amount of rock matrix present.
Pricing: specimens < 100 grams are priced at $1.25 / gram. 100 to 499
gram specimens are priced at $1.00 / gram. Extra large specimens weighing
> 500 grams are given a -20% quantity discount because of the presence of
rock matrix. The quantity discounts are already given in the specimen
prices below.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 1 of this section of the web site,
featuring radioactive minerals.
|
|
ITEM
NO.
MI- |
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 |
|
|
1510 |
4.45 |
5/8 |
1/2 |
3/8 |
N, E (1) |
1 |
750 |
SOLD |
|
|
1511 |
4.98 |
1 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
S (2), E (1) |
2 |
1,330 |
SOLD |
|
|
1512 |
5.52 |
7/8 |
7/8 |
1/4 |
S (2) |
3 |
2,000 |
SOLD |
|
|
1513 |
5.78 |
3/4 |
1/2 |
1/2 |
N, E (2) |
.5 |
300 |
SOLD |
|
|
1514 |
6.50 |
7/8 |
3/4 |
1/2 |
N, E (1) |
3 |
2,000 |
SOLD |
|
|
1515 |
8.48 |
1 1/4 |
3/4 |
3/8 |
N, E (3) |
3 |
2,000 |
SOLD |
|
|
1516 |
18.44 |
1 1/4 |
1 |
3/4 |
S (1), E (2) |
1 |
750 |
$ 23.00 |
|
|
1517 |
18.84 |
1 1/4 |
1 |
5/8 |
S (1), E (2) |
2.5 |
1,660 |
SOLD |
|
|
1518 |
25.47 |
1 |
1 |
3/4 |
S (1), E (3) |
1 |
750 |
SOLD |
|
|
1519 |
29.50 |
1 3/8 |
1 |
3/8 |
S (1), E (1) |
5 |
3,000 |
SOLD |
|
|
1520 |
38.38 |
1 5/8 |
1 1/8 |
1/2 |
S (2), E (3) |
7 |
5,000 |
SOLD |
|
|
1521 |
42.45 |
1 1/2 |
1 3/8 |
3/4 |
S (1), E (5) |
2 |
1,330 |
$ 53.00 |
|
|
1522 |
43.55 |
1 3/8 |
1 1/8 |
7/8 |
S (1), E (4) |
3.5 |
2,250 |
$ 54.50 |
|
|
1523 |
44.92 |
2 |
1 |
5/8 |
S (2), E (3) |
7 |
5,000 |
$ 56.25 |
|
|
1524 |
47.64 |
1 7/8 |
1 1/4 |
3/8 |
S (1), E (4) |
> 50 |
> 30,000 |
SOLD |
|
|
1525 |
51.58 |
2 |
1 1/2 |
3/4 |
S (1), E (3) |
> 50 |
> 30,000 |
SOLD |
|
|
1526 |
61.55 |
1 1/4 |
1 1/4 |
3/4 |
S (2) |
> 50 |
> 30,000 |
SOLD |
|
|
1527 |
161.25 |
2 3/4 |
1 3/4 |
1 1/2 |
N |
8 |
6,000 |
$129.00 |
|
|
1528 |
528.20 |
4 1/2 |
3 3/8 |
1 1/2 |
N |
20 |
13,300 |
$422.50 |
|
|
1529 |
1746.00 |
5 1/2 |
3 5/8 |
2 3/8 |
N |
> 50 |
> 30,000 |
SOLD |
|
|
1530 |
7.35 |
Lot of 7 small speci-mens, averaging
+/- 3/8” up to 1/2” in size. |
Various |
5 |
3,000 |
$ 9.25
/ lot |

1518 |

1519 |

1520 |

1521 |

1522 |

1523 |

1524 |

1525 |

1526 |

1527 |

1528 |

1529 |
|