Mindat: https://www.mindat.org/loc-2463.html

I like all kinds of minerals, but was afraid of handling the ones with U and Th. Now I'd like to extend my collection. I'm new to this community and hope for some answers to my following questions:

Which tools do you recommend me for mineral searches next to UV torches & gloves and why?

Which names should I keep in mind for the beginning? (Brands, certain minerals, whatever)

Can someone name me some literature about the minerals and elements?

I have often gone to shows and been a bit disappointed because it was filled with the wrong crowd. Beautiful aquamarines and tourmalines but no ugly yellow rocks which make my geiger counter happy. What shows should I not miss at Tucson as a radioactive collector?

?Zimbabwe. Color zones from Hydrogen inclusions.

Ref: https://www.reddit.com/r/Radioactive_Rocks/s/SWh90BPNmi

Have there been any developments in recent years to edit the OG flowchart?

E.g. Bettergeiger s2 for general survey (afaik 3cm^2 crystal)

I'm curious if there are good places to hunt for uranium near Las Vegas NV, say about an hour radius from center city. We will also be going to the grand canyon so maybe some areas close to there as well.

Lastly , what are some safe ways of getting my rocks back to me that isn't on my plane? And how can I safely take my pancake probe onto a Plane without bursting the mica window?

Thanks !

I know this has probably been asked a million times before here, but can someone help me confirm my trinitite specimen. There is a small bump from CS-137 present but not super defined. This is my first time using my radiacode and if there is any other tips of tricks for the spectrum feature, let me know I’d love to learn more,

Thanks

Just got my first autunite from geigercheck.com. I live in long beach wa and want to go find some soon but only know if midnite mine and daybreak that's really really far

I always enjoy discovering rare minerals in new locations, this was one of my lucky discoveries: Uramphite, rare hydrated ammonium uranyl phosphate(uranium "mica" with ammonium)from 3rd world occurence Nová Ves pod Pleší, Czech republic, Uramphite forms well developed crystals up to 1 mm. We described this interesting occurrence here: http://www.jgeosci.org/detail/jgeosci.395/abstract/

Alpha/beta/gamma reading on the second hottest rock I own. Count was done on a Thermo E600 on peak/trap mode (displays only the peak reading rather than fluctuating) with SHP-360 probe; that’s the same tube as a Ludlum 44-9, Bicron PGM, and Eberline HP-260/210s.

I’m running it at 898 volts and I could hear it sizzling. It was not saturated; adding another small specimen which measured 30,000 CPM on its own made the count go up by 25,000 CPM; this means that the probe dead time was not a significant factor and that the measurement is quite accurate!

The reading is predominantly low-mid energy beta… Pancake probes are particularly sensitive to low energy beta radiation.

My first Autunite specimen I finally got around to getting a display case for. I just love how bright it glows.

I’m from Washington state and really wanted a specimen mined from here. This one was mined from Daybreak.

Just wanted to show it off 💚💚

2.1 cm x 3.7 cm x 0.7 cm

Edit: thanks everyone for the help, I ordered a radiacode 103 and will keep my eye out for an older pancake style Geiger counter at a good price. Leaving post up to help inform others.

Hello everyone, this sub has inspired me to take my first step into radio active mineral collecting. I tried my best to do the research, I looked at other posts, watched YouTube videos, and went thru the flow chart pinned in the sub. Between the different varieties, price points, and shear amount of cheap amazon junk, I am still struggling.

Some context to what I hope to achieve

Price point: $100-300 ideally, maybe higher if it makes a big difference, no more than $500

I am already a rock hound, and am looking for something I can take with me to “prospect” for hot rocks. Needs to be durable enough with proper handling

Some other things that would be cool if you could help me understand are:

I see you guys can make isotope distribution plots to help ID the mineral, how are those made? Is it XRF?

Pancake vs tube, which is better for what applications?

Alpha, beta, gamma: do I want a counter that can detect all three? Does it matter for a beginner?

I am open to new and old used counters, including analog (those are pretty cool)

I understand that some of these are probably basic questions, but if you could help me I would appreciate it. I am also going to collect in NM so if you know any spots or what to link up to collect DM me.

Thanks guys!

Hello, I am from the UK. I am wanting to explore an Uraniferous mine close to where I live. I am told that radon levels are quite high. Long story short, I want to explore the small workings and see a pyritised-uranium lode in situ. I absolutely want to do this safely as radon is no joke. I will be using waders as there is some water along with a one time use body suit over the top.

The only issue I have come across is that no respirators can eliminate 100% chance of radon getting into my lungs. I'm told a self contained respirator with a oxygen canister will work. Does anyone have any ideas which would be suitable? A quick Google search yields one for £1400... But naturally that's a silly amount to spend for just a short trip. Any ideas welcome :)

PS. I have a radiacode 102 for measuring gamma dosage.

A halo (the black zone) caused by a zircon (the yellow crystal in the middle of the halo) under a petrographical microscope in PPL. A halo is a zone of radiation damage from an inclusion of another radioactive mineral. In this case, the halo is caused by the high uranium contents in the zircon.