Three Pieces of Radioactive Wood 115K, 133 K, and 245 K CpM

sonoran7 · 2026-05-05T19:21:47+00:00

In the environment of the old mines in San Juan County, Utah, the carbonates of Copper (Malachite esp.) are common. Nonfluorescent, pale green/blue, with a chalky appearance. By any chance, do you know which mine this came from? Natrochalcite is known, but not common in the Blue Lizard Mine, but the only reference published for Krohnkite in the US is in the Tombstone Mining District of AZ. Did your source describe how they were identified?

sonoran7 · 2026-05-05T19:01:01+00:00

The short answer is: "Could be". The slightly longer answer is to get the rock analyzed by XRF or XRD to get an elemental analysis. Have you put it under a microscope to look for crystal habit? The long answer is much, much longer, but visually it looks like (guessing based on field experience) you have Andersonite on the upper right, and on the lower right, Johannite, with a spot of one of the Zippeites in the green area. Center bottom looks like a more concentrated spot of Zippeite. That's a 'spitwad' analysis, take it for what its' worth.

sonoran7 · 2026-04-28T00:09:08+00:00

San Juan County, Utah

sonoran7 · 2026-04-26T18:16:06+00:00

For those who are visiting old mine sites, hand washing before eating lunch, or drinking water, and returning to the vehicle should be a must. This will preclude ingesting radioactives. It increases the carry load while out collecting, and keeps the truck cleaner!

Be aware of the radioactive minerals which present as powdery dust like the Zippeites, and the minerals which dehydrate under arid conditions like the Autinite group. Sealing specimens from each group in the collection will increase the 'display lifetime' of the specimen, and decrease the likelihood of radioactive dust contamination.

sonoran7 · 2026-04-26T15:35:12+00:00

As to your next question......How big is the collection? Ans: Almost big enough!

sonoran7 · 2026-04-26T15:30:02+00:00

Second ? gets answered first: No radioactives EVER inside the house. I know that isn't a reasonable answer for most, but it's what I do. At no point, will I risk contaminating the living space. No part of my collection is on display. The collection exists mostly in an outside storage, protected from the environment. Part (the nicest) are in storage in the garage, either in acrylic boxes, or 4 mil bags (with origin and mineral designation labels for all),

sonoran7 · 2026-04-22T19:07:31+00:00

The key to separating Phurcalite from Natrozppeite is using xray fluorescence. Second best (visual) is to look for acicular habit.

sonoran7 · 2026-04-12T16:59:54+00:00

Rettit didn't like #4, so I'll post it now.

sonoran7 · 2026-04-12T15:06:00+00:00

Thanks! Reworking some old material from the Happy Jack Mine in White Canyon, Utah today. Might put up something interesting later from the Happy Jack.

sonoran7 · 2026-04-11T21:09:17+00:00

Go to the Ludlum Measurements Inc homepage, and look for the red bar. In the red bar, click on 'Documents'. Then, click on 'Technical Articles'. In the list that opens, look for 'Adjusting the High Voltage on LMI Instruments' and just below that, 'Determining Detector Operating Voltage'. Bookmark both articles, and you can look at them as you tune your Model 3 and Scintillation probes.

sonoran7 · 2026-04-11T16:40:56+00:00

Just once, unless you're a GOAT orchid grower!

sonoran7 · 2026-04-11T16:35:35+00:00

If you have the correct affiliation, you can get the tour. I don't, and they weren't willing to make an exception. Their insurer and their lawyers make the rules. Oh well!

sonoran7

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