Dangerous gems. Radioactive stones and minerals. Charoite. Case at the Diamond Exchange

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We all know about such radioactive isotopes of uranium and plutonium, and, and. Many of them are specifically created for medical and scientific use. However, often our acquaintance with them goes unnoticed and at the same time sad for us and our health. Not all of us know how to protect ourselves from radiation at home, but even our favorite jewelry can be a source of radiation.

Charoite. Why is this stone dangerous?

Charoite is a completely harmless mineral. This ornamental stone has many shades of purple and is often used in the manufacture of rings, bracelets and other inexpensive jewelry. The danger in this case is represented by inclusions of thorium and uranium, which often accompany charoite deposits. Sometimes they can even be seen by black and dark inclusions on the stones. As a result, prolonged exposure to wearing such radioactive stones has detrimental effects on health. Therefore, responsible manufacturers test the raw materials used in the production of jewelry for radioactivity. At the same time, there are a great many minerals that do not contain radioactive impurities. The list and photos of semi-precious stones of this type are very wide and include such popular ones as sapphires, emeralds, topazes and others.

Radioactive refining of precious stones

In addition to “natural radiation,” modern science has prepared another surprise for us. Radioactive refining of precious and semi-precious stones, which improves the color of the mineral, is carried out using powerful radioactive isotope accelerators. And even though the dose emitted by such a mineral is small, wearing such jewelry for a long time, as a rule, affects human health.

Minerals and gems

Radioactive method refining (by irradiation with streams of high-energy elementary particles using nuclear reactors operating on uranium or plutonium) is usually hidden from the consumer, but the most dangerous method for human health to improve the qualities of any stones. At best, the consumer will be casually told that the mineral has been irradiated. Given the complete illiteracy of the population, the consumer simply will not pay attention to this. And the radiation icon familiar to many will not be nearby. Even when offering poisonous stones (for example, conichalcite or cinnabar) for exchange or sale, future owners are not warned about the danger of poisoning, let alone radiation, which is invisible, inaudible and unfelt...

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Topaz

Semiprecious pink, golden and blue stone:

Even though gemstones are very beautiful, they can also carry negative energy. This is, first of all, topaz. Almost all topazes are obtained by gamma irradiation followed by heating. If these stones, after such an execution, are not kept in lead boxes for at least 2-3 weeks, they will “foil” like small reactors. And I do not envy those ladies who wear such jewelry in their chest area, or in their ears or on their fingers. 99% of topazes on the Russian jewelry market have an irradiated color, not natural. The price of natural blue topaz reaches $200 per carat.

Charoite

The mineral was discovered in 1948 near the Chara River in the Irkutsk region. It captivated its discoverers with its incredible beauty - it had a lilac color of various shades.

It later turned out that charoite is a very common mineral canasite, consisting of potassium, sodium and silicon. But thanks to the fact that it contains radioactive strontium, it turns from yellow-orange to purple. There is no such color anywhere else in the world. Because of the strontium stone in jewelry

An example from life. A deposit of lilac stone was developed near Irkutsk. And helicopter pilots transported the sawed-off charoite blocks to Irkurstk.

One game was missing. The pilot scratched and scratched his head, brought it home and lined the bathtub and toilet. Foreign delegations took him to see him and showed him how ordinary helicopter pilots lived in the Soviet Union. Because only Arab sheikhs could afford such a luxury. Maybe it would be funny if it weren't so sad. Within two years, the whole family went to their forefathers because of leukemia. So in such huge quantities, untested stones can pose a huge danger.

Source: (c) Yuri Lapin

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http://bloknot-voronezh.ru/novosti/59210

Celestine A rather soft mineral (hardness 3-3.5 units), which is now called celestine, was first discovered in Sicily in 1781. this modern name strontium sulfate

(SrSO4) was obtained in 1798 thanks to the initiative of the German mineralogist A. Werner. He used the ancient Greek word caelestial (heavenly) to emphasize the delicate blue color of the crystals of the mineral he described. Traces of calcium and barium can sometimes be found in celestine. It is thanks to these substances that celestine crystals fluoresce in ultraviolet light. Celestite crystals are of hydrothermal origin and are found among granites and pegmatites formed at very high temperatures.

Used as strontium ore. The mineral definitely cannot be dissolved in water or irradiated with anything, as this can have very dangerous consequences.

However, sometimes celestine crystals are formed as a result of the drying out of small bodies of salt water. This happens because celestine is soluble in water. According to some sources, the skeletons of such marine unicellular organisms as radiolarians consist of strontium sulfate. Such delicate skeletons are prevented from dissolving in water by a thin protein film, which disappears after the death of the creator cell. Beryls This is not the only stone of its kind with naturally elevated levels of radiation. For example, the yellow and golden-green varieties of beryl called heliodors, are colored this way because they contain Uranus. A variety of pink and crimson beryl called morganite (sparrow). These minerals definitely should not be irradiated with anything additional (neither with X-rays, nor especially in a nuclear reactor), and in general, it makes sense to refrain from purchasing and wearing particularly large stones, regardless of their jewelry value, rarity and beauty.

Radioactive minerals- minerals containing natural radioactive elements (long-lived isotopes of the radioactive series 238 U, 235 U and 232 Th) in quantities significantly exceeding their average content in the earth's crust (clarks). More than 300 radioactive minerals are known. Radioactive minerals containing uranium, thorium, or both. Variety of radioactive minerals belonging to various classes and groups, due to the presence of uranium in tetra- and hexavalent forms, the isomorphism of tetravalent uranium with Th, rare earth elements (TR), Zr and Ca, as well as the isomorphism of thorium with TR of the cerium subgroup.

A distinction is made between radioactive minerals, in which uranium (uranium minerals) or thorium (thorium minerals) are present as the main component, and radioactive minerals, in which radioactive elements are included as an isomorphic impurity (uranium- and/or thorium-containing minerals). Radioactive minerals formally do not include minerals containing a mechanical admixture of radioactive minerals (mineral mixtures) or radioactive elements in sorbed form.

Radioactive minerals, especially those with a high content of uranium, especially large stones (the rate of natural radiation is 17-24 milliroentgen/hour), are dangerous to health and require special precautions in handling. An increased level of radiation from stones and minerals is a radiation level of 29-32 milliroentgen/hour and above. It is not recommended to carry or touch with hands - these minerals cause damage (including trophic ulcers on the skin and in the intestines when taken orally). In any case, for reasons of safety and environmental friendliness, it is forbidden to carry these radioactive stones and minerals and especially to keep samples of them in an apartment or office (a house and an apartment are not a mineralogical museum with a permissible level of radiation from 32 to 120 milliroentgen/hour and higher for special expositions and mineralogical special storage facilities of state institutions, where this is permitted in the presence of warning signs and special statements from employees of these specialized institutions). Radioactive minerals and their derivatives are transported in special containers, including lead container boxes. Radiation from a point source and a small object decreases in proportion to the square of the distance to this object. By moving 2 m away from a dangerous object, you will reduce the level of study from this object by 4 times. By moving 10 meters away, you will reduce the level of radiation from uranium by 100 times. If an object containing uranium and thorium has a point source of radiation of 4000 milliroentgen/hour with a natural background radiation of the environment of 19 milliroentgen/hour (total 4000 + 19 = 4019 milliroentgen/hour), moving 10 m away from the dangerous object, you will protect yourself to a radiation level of 40 milliroentgen/hour from the object and 19 milliroentgen/hour from the environment (in total, the total radiation level from the object and the environment will be 40+19 = 59 milliroentgen/hour). The most dangerous is direct contact with the body and wearing on the body of point and diffuse radioactive sources and components containing thorium and especially uranium (about 50% of radiation is absorbed upon contact with the external surface of the body and about 100% of radiation is absorbed when ingesting a radioactive or contaminated object) . The most dangerous is direct contact and ingestion of radioactive components, stones and minerals, including those in crushed form and those soluble in liquid.

Refining stones with radioactive irradiation is a method of improving their external characteristics, which the average consumer, unfortunately, knows little or is not aware of at all. The method is effective, but extremely dangerous for the health of the person who will wear these radioactive stones.

Why are radioactive stones dangerous?

Signs of previous irradiation include not only an unusually bright color of the stone, but also a color that is not entirely characteristic of it, and a strange pattern. This does not always mean that the mineral was irradiated uncontrollably, but it is worth being wary. For example, relatively small pale pink morganites (one of the varieties of beryl) can be enriched with microdoses of compounds of the radioactive element cesium. Moreover, their level of radioactivity usually does not exceed 0.19-0.24 μSv/h or 19-24 μR/h.

But, if you see margonite in front of you too big size and unusually bright color, there is a high probability that this is a radioactive stone hazardous to health, since uncontrolled irradiation methods were used during its processing.

Normally, the exposure dose of ionizing radiation near a stone should not exceed the natural radiation background of the area in which you are located. Usually this is no more than 0.10 -0.25 μSv/h or 10 - 25 μR/h. A level of radioactivity in a mineral exceeding 0.3 μSv/h or 30 μR/h is considered dangerous. Such stones cannot only be worn on the body, but also kept in the house or office. In contact with the skin for a long time, they can cause serious deterioration in health, including the formation of cancerous tumors in organs located near the point of contact.

Naturally radioactive stones

Most non-irradiated stones and minerals are safe for humans. But there are specimens with increased radioactivity, which are dangerous to your health if you keep them with you or wear them on your body. In particular, these include:

Celestine (strontium sulfate). It is more often found on sale in the form of interior decorations rather than jewelry.
Zircon (zirconium silicate). You should not purchase this stone on the black market or in a store with a dubious reputation unless you have a radiation dosimeter with you.
Heliodor (a type of beryl). The darker and larger the stone, the higher the likelihood of danger emanating from it.

The level of radioactivity of these minerals does not always exceed the norm, but it does not hurt to check the purchased samples with a dosimeter.

Measuring the radioactivity of stones as a method of protection

Sellers of jewelry with radioactive stones do not always intentionally deceive buyers. Often they are not aware of the danger that comes from such a product. Even being aware that the mineral was irradiated, many remain completely unaware of the consequences of such refining. Reasons: lack of special knowledge and education, lack of understanding of the very essence of this phenomenon. And how can you prove that the product you are buying is dangerous to wear?

It is truly impossible to do this without special devices. That is why many jewelers and craftsmen who work with stones always carry a portable radiation dosimeter with them. It helps to measure the dose rate of ionizing radiation near the object of interest. In this case - in close proximity to the decorative stone.

This is how they work with a dosimeter. First, the radiation background of the room is measured at a distance from the intended source of radiation. It is advisable to take measurements in several places and calculate the average. Then they begin to check the dose rate of the radiation that comes from the stones. If their level of radioactivity matches the background, then everything is fine. If there is a steady increase in the level of the natural background of the room, you should get rid of the stone immediately.

Which dosimeter is best to use to check the radiation safety of a stone?

It is most wise to use a dosimeter at the purchase stage, so as not to bring into the house ornamental raw materials or decorations that are hazardous to health. The optimal device for these purposes is a miniature radiation dosimeter RADEX ONE. The SBM-20 sensor installed in it detects beta and gamma radiation, taking into account x-ray radiation. The device is comparable in size and weight to a regular highlighter marker, so it will even fit in your pocket.

It’s even better to take a dosimeter to check RADEX RD1008, which also senses alpha radiation. Its dimensions are larger, but it will help identify stones irradiated not only in X-ray installations, but also in a nuclear reactor. The same dosimeters are suitable for measuring the level of radioactivity of previously purchased stones.

Poisonous and radioactive dangerous stones and minerals ** - poisonous stones and minerals (mandatory testing in a chemical laboratory + clear indication of toxicity) ** - radioactive stones and minerals (mandatory testing on a standard dosimeter + ban on open sales in case of radioactivity over 24 milliroentgen / hour + additional measures to protect the population) Adamine * Annabergite * Erythrine * Antimonite * Arsenolite ** Arsenopyrite ** Oripigment ** Baildonite * Beryl ** Betafit ** Bismuthinite * Breithauptite * Witherite * Gadolinite ** Halite ** Geocronite * Glaucodotus * Decloysite * Mottramite * Jordanite * Carnotite ** Cinnabar ** Cobaltine * Cottunite * Lyroconite * Marcasite * Monazite * Ammonia * Nickelin * Othenite ** Pyromorphite * Pyrochlore * Proustite * Rammelsbergite * Realgar ** Mercury * Senarmontite * Sulfur * Skutterudite * Strontianite ** Antimony * Tetrahedrite * Thorianite ** Thorite ** Uraninite ** Pharmacolite * Chalcocite * Hutchinsonite * Celestine ** Zircon ** Euxenite ** Enargite * Aeschinite ** Conichalcite Very dangerous and potentially dangerous stones and minerals. (article taken from the forum about stones) I’ve been meaning to write this note for a long time, because... It seems like no one has touched on this topic on this resource yet... I know and see that many sellers/craftsmen really like to buy stones on ebay or alibaba. Of course, these auctions are extremely useful for the master, because... prices for accessories and stones are several orders of magnitude lower there, and the choice is huge. But there are a few "buts". 1. A huge number of fake stones for a dollar a bucket. Only at such auctions can you buy garnet beads of perfect transparency for a couple of dollars, as well as buy a cabochon of larimar or natural turquoise for 3-4 dollars. Do you think the worst thing is if instead of a pomegranate they slip you garnet glass? Or will 100% natural larimar with turquoise turn out to be, at best, colored agate? No. There is also point 2. There is a high probability that, under the guise of harmless rock crystal, an unscrupulous seller will make you happy, for example, with celestine, a mineral that is far from harmless. And even if the seller is a relatively honest comrade, then by purchasing colored beryl beads from such a seller under the guise of a natural, but inexpensive and opaque “emerald,” you can provide your buyer with good radiation exposure, because beryl is a potentially radioactive stone (like, in fact, many of the minerals common in jewelry). And it’s one thing to have a small pebble tested by dosimetric examination, and quite another to have clearly untested beryl beads in three or four rows. Therefore, my dear master sellers, I ask you - do not buy dubious stones from dubious sellers. And if you bought it, try to check these stones with specialists. You purchased, manufactured and sold. And the buyer will have to carry it all on himself. And someone can give the child a trinket to play with. And he, naturally, will put it in his mouth. And how it will end - only God knows. Therefore, I am publishing a list of the most dangerous and potentially dangerous minerals: The most dangerous red cinnabar is mercury sulfide. An extremely attractive-looking, poisonous and difficult to remove from the body mercury salt. It is especially dangerous when taken orally with water and food. Blue celestine, by mistake, negligence or ignorance, is used instead of blue aquamarine and rock crystal in lithotherapy. The most dangerous water-soluble salt of strontium is the most dangerous tumbling of Madagascar celestine, similar to beryl. By mistake, it can be worn instead of blue sapphire (table corundum) and blue kyanite jewelry. green pomegranate uvarovite, which is similar to conicalcite. It is very dangerous in powder, since, unlike uvarovite, it can be ground - criminal lithotherapists add poisonous conicalcite powder to food, causing poisoning and death. A very dangerous radioactive uraninite that accumulates in pegmatites and hydrothermal deposits is uranium oxide. Easily changed and modified in air. The form of uraninite is the most diverse. It was precisely because of the presence of this most dangerous natural mineral that the helium-bearing mines of the Volodar-Volyn pegmatite field in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine were closed to uncontrolled access. Access to these mines for any purpose is permitted to authorized employees of specialized state enterprises if they have working standard and portable dosimeters, reliable plans and working mine navigation devices. Silvery, shining facets, very dangerous arsenopyrite - a compound of arsenic, iron and sulfur. Extremely dangerous upon contact with the body, ingestion, enters the body upon contact with mucous membranes. Like any arsenic compound, it is very poisonous and death occurs very quickly. Blue-black stibnite, which is completely safe for human contact, is antimony sulfide; when taken orally in powder form, it can cause poisoning and even death. Its name translates as “against the monks” - in one of the monasteries, an unscrupulous kitchen worker seasoned the monastery food with stibnite powder and poisoned his “brothers”.