[Rockhounds] info on radioactive minerals

[Erich Kern]

In my opinion the fear of radioactive minerals is a tad over-the-top.  I 
have two Geiger counters. The less sensitive of the two is a Civil 
Defense meter and is one of four I had calibrated after I bought them 
just after 9-11. On the most sensitive scale none of the radioactive 
minerals I have including the Tobernites I bought from Larry Rush give 
only a zero reading. I know it works because I took it into a 
radiologist's office when my wife was about to swallow a radioactive 
Iodine capsule following removal of her thyroid gland. At three feet 
away, this meter pegged on the lowest scale.

The other Geiger counter is much too sensitive for Civil Defense 
purposes (it would be going off all the time) and it screams when it's 
near one of Larry's Torbernite specimens. Same as it does near a 
Curienite, Autunite or Uranite specimen.

The only way these specimens could be dangerous is by inhaling the dust 
from them or swallowing some of the crystal particles. For example, 
Torbernite is a Uranium phosphate. Phosphates have an affinity for bone 
tissue. You can see where I'm going with this. Wash your hands after 
handling radioactive specimens. Please.

Erich Kern,
Now in Texas.
Goodbye to crazy California



------ Original Message ------
From: larryrush at att.net
To: rockhounds at rockhounds.drizzle.com
Sent: 7/28/2018 7:29:11 PM
Subject: [Rockhounds] info on radioactive minerals

>I recently picked up a flat of minerals labeled "radioactive". 
>Normally, I
>don't bother much with these, but working with the torbernite has been 
>an
>interesting experience, so I can use some help here with these...
>
>
>
>Of the 16 hand sized pieces in the flat, 7 are labeled Uraninite, 
>Canadian
>Dyno mine, Cardiff, Ontario, and 9 are labeled Allanite and Cyrtolite
>(Zircon), McDonald Mine, Hybla, Ontario (ghost town).
>
>There are no crystals or faces showing, just masses and clusters of 
>grains.
>The matrix in each of these appears to be a feldspar.
>
>
>
>I have no idea of the "hotness" of them, or of their worth as 
>specimens, but
>I'd appreciate any information on them, or similar pieces.
>
>You can see photos at:
>
>
>
>https://www.irista.com/gallery/8gr7ctnsopro
>
>
>
>
>
>(If interested in buying any, make me an offer.)
>
>
>
>Larry Rush
>
>
>
>---
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