wampidytoo
has rocks in the head
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Member since June 2013
Posts: 709
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Post by wampidytoo on Apr 18, 2016 23:31:05 GMT -5
My son picked up a rock that was kicked up by the garden tiller and couldn't believe how heavy it was. I started testing and digging in my book which has led me to believe that it is uraninite. There was/is a uraninite mine in Lusk Wyoming. The SG falls in the 6 to 10 slot at 6.97. Streak checks out with brown to black, the hardness is up there over six and it is not attracted to a magnet. It also looks like it is greasy about the same as a fairly dried up grease spot under a car. The only thing similar that I can find is way softer. This stone has been well washed so what you see is pretty much what was described in the book. If photobucket is working now I will try doing pics. A Geiger counter would be handy and I may be able to get close to one at the college here. Just not sure how much I should handle this thing. I volunteered to line up the grand kids and try to get an x-ray but parents are so protective these days. Anyone with some experience with this stuff would sure be a help and I would gladly pay you Tuesday. Popeye
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mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Apr 23, 2016 17:19:33 GMT -5
Jim B, is that you? If so, bring it to Cooke this summer- I have a geiger counter.
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Post by jakesrocks on Apr 23, 2016 18:19:46 GMT -5
Unless it's a very hot piece, storing it in a thick plastic container should keep you & your grandkids safe.
If you have a UV light, see if it'll light up a yellowish green color.
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Post by Pat on Apr 23, 2016 21:43:21 GMT -5
WAMP! Welcome back!
I don't think I would like to find much of that in my backyard.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 0:47:09 GMT -5
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
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Post by gemfeller on Apr 24, 2016 10:16:36 GMT -5
Go to your dentist and get an unexposed X-ray film, the small kind that fits in the mouth for dental X-rays. Place it under your rock in a dark closet or similar dark place for 24 hours. It will self-photograph if it's radioactive and possibly dangerous. While that test won't ID the mineral it will give you very important safety info.
A specific test for uraninite requires access to concentrated nitric acid and a UV light. A drop of nitric placed on the rock and left to evaporate dry will leave a very fluorescent spot.
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wampidytoo
has rocks in the head
Add 5016 to my post count.
Member since June 2013
Posts: 709
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Post by wampidytoo on Apr 24, 2016 12:58:19 GMT -5
Wow, thanks for the welcome back and info. I think I have nitric acid but no UV light. I think I can get one on line pretty cheap.
Should the acid be placed on a natural surface or a new broken surface? If this is dangerous there is a small piece still in the garden that was broken off when the tiller hit it so I would need a geiger counter to find it.
Looks like my best bet would be to get the geologist at the college involved. Last year was the first time the area had been dug up for a long time so it is hard telling what or how much of anything is in there.
"gemfeller" Thanks. The dental test sounds like an easy one to do but I am thinking outside in a bucket covered with a tarp. Right now it is outside in the open where the grand kids can not get a hand on it.
"mikeinjsc" good to hear from you. I do need to make another trip up there to see y'all if the branches falling out of the huge elm tree because of the wind don't kill me first. Jim
I don't remember how to tag someone on here so a heads up would be appreciated.
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wampidytoo
has rocks in the head
Add 5016 to my post count.
Member since June 2013
Posts: 709
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Post by wampidytoo on Apr 24, 2016 13:00:07 GMT -5
True that. Any idea why he is not on? Jim
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wampidytoo
has rocks in the head
Add 5016 to my post count.
Member since June 2013
Posts: 709
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Post by wampidytoo on Apr 24, 2016 13:02:18 GMT -5
Unless it's a very hot piece, storing it in a thick plastic container should keep you & your grandkids safe. If you have a UV light, see if it'll light up a yellowish green color. Thanks Don. I missed that in my research. Jim
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 13:11:05 GMT -5
True that. Any idea why he is not on? Jim No. He had an injury if I remember right. Then had tremendous workload. That is my last memory.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 24, 2016 21:49:58 GMT -5
Hey welcome back Jim........................Great find,hope you find what it is.............
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Apr 25, 2016 10:37:36 GMT -5
Welcome back Jim...cheers
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Post by nowyo on Apr 25, 2016 21:58:35 GMT -5
well, hey there Jim. They were mining that stuff a lot closer than Lusk. Like, East of Yellowtail and in the South end of the Pryors. Can't see your pics because PBucket is jacked up again.
Russ
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wampidytoo
has rocks in the head
Add 5016 to my post count.
Member since June 2013
Posts: 709
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Post by wampidytoo on May 1, 2016 23:21:13 GMT -5
well, hey there Jim. They were mining that stuff a lot closer than Lusk. Like, East of Yellowtail and in the South end of the Pryors. Can't see your pics because PBucket is jacked up again. Russ Missed your post Russ. When I did the search all I got was Lusk so didn't have a clue about the others. That makes my ID much more possible so I really do need to get to the college and find out for sure. I think they will be finishing up this semester soon. Jim
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