Radioactive Irradiated
Spodumene
George R. Rossman, Yuanxun Qiu
Division of Geological and Planetary
Sciences
California Institute of Technoogy
Pasadena, CA 91125
Abstract
During routine testing, a parcel of spodumene imported from
Brazil was found to be radioactive. Detailed analysis showed that
individual stones had levels of gamma ray emission far above those
acceptable for jewelry purposes. Gamma ray spectroscopy revealed that
they had been irradiated with neutrons. The colors of these stones are
similar to those observed in citrine and have no counterpart in
untreated spodumene. They range from brownish orange through orange to
orange-yellow and greenish yellow.
last updated: 3-Sep-2017