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Mineral of the Week
News and CommentsOlder collectors, that lived through the 1950s when the fear of atomic bombs was ever-present, often react in fear at the thought of collecting radioactive minerals. Not surprisingly, younger collectors are mostly ignorant of the dangers. But everyone should know: Collecting radioactive minerals is safe, as long as you follow a few simple precautions. Remember: distance is your friend. Radiation exposure falls at the square of the distance. Therefore the dose received at 4 feet is 1/16th the dose at 1 foot. So store the minerals a few feet away from where you sit. And do not do as one collector did at a mineral show when he placed a uraninite crystal he purchased into his front pants pocket. I chased him down the aisle and advised placing it in a shopping bag. And he was a radiologist! Radon is the main issue when storing radioactive minerals. It is a radioactive gas, easily inhaled, that is created as a by-product of radioactive decay. The good news is that radon is heavier than air. If you have a basement in your home, then it is possible for the radon to accumulate there. Most homes built where there is granite bedrock have radon expulsion systems that actively vents accumulated radon to the outside. Keeping radioactive specimens in Tupperware actually concentrates the radon in the container. Be careful not to breathe in as you open the container. The dose of radon from your small specimens is not much more than is generated by granite kitchen counters in a standard home. If you had some REALLY HOT specimens like a large torbernite or cuprosklodowskite then I would advise storing them in your garage. John H. Betts, 7/25/17 Click here to read past news and commentaries...
Customer Comments:"We have, on several occasions, requested specimens that were not on your website. You have unfailingly come up with our requirements each time and they have all been top class :) We cannot thank you enough and look forward to dealing with you for a long time to come. Lots of thanks again :)" Marie "For the better part of this past year I've been searching for just the right "raw and natural" diamond for inclusion to my mineral collection. After searching many sites I found just the right diamond with John Betts. It is a reference example of a perfect octahedral gem and in my opinion the finest example John had in the under 1 carat range. My diamond is undamaged with no dark unsightly inclusions and is a cuttable gem-grade example. The service from John is exemplary and the shipping was extremely fast. I am pleased beyond 100%! My new diamond looks fabulous in my collection. John thoughtfully provided a circular - black cushioned display case with my order. Perfecto in every way. Now I will begin my happy dancing!!" Michael P.
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Pledge to My Customers:Customer satisfaction is my primary goal. I pledge:
John H. Betts, owner
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Visit our other galleries with the links below: My Best Minerals Featured Galleries Locality Galleries Mineral Categories Molybdates,_Arsenates,_Vanadates Uncut Diamond Crystals Sorted Lists of all Minerals |
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