[Rockhounds] info on radioactive minerals

[Axel Emmermann]

Larry,

Uraninite is pure uranium dioxide. I think that you won't find many minerals that are more radioactive than that 😉
You need to keep those specimens in closed plastic boxes or outside the house.
Allanite may contain some residual radioactivity from the REE that it contains but that would be acceptable without special precautions.  
Cyrtolite can hold as much as 1/4 of its weight in uranium or thorium. I'd put that in plastic boxes too.

Cheers
Axel

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: Rockhounds <rockhounds-bounces at rockhounds.drizzle.com> Namens larryrush at att.net
Verzonden: zondag 29 juli 2018 2:29
Aan: rockhounds at rockhounds.drizzle.com
Onderwerp: [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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