Geiger Counters

[achaios]

I recently backed a KickStarter project for a geiger counter. It wasn't terribly expensive, but does not have an external probe. It's just another toy for me. It is a scintillation type counter, and works nicely on the samples of ore I have. I got one sample from United Nuclear which, when the counter is placed next to the box, actually displays "Danger" on the display. I have samples of autunite, carnotite, uraninite, and monazite, among others.

I don't know how good of prospecting I would get here in my area of VA at least, however, I can probably look like a first class nerd walking around with this box that clicks.

Does anyone have any links to books/online resources about radioactive minerals and/or use of geiger counters? If you want to see the counter I got, search for BetterGeiger.com.

--Tom

 

[Vethraxx]

Take it to the antique stores and see what you can find to make it tick. Uranium glass, fiestaware pottery, radium clocks/watches.

 

[SeabeeRon]

I can probably look like a first class nerd walking around with this box that clicks.

Does anyone have any links to books/online resources about radioactive minerals and/or use of geiger counters? If you want to see the counter I got, search for BetterGeiger.com.

--Tom

No problem, most of us walk around with little boxes that Beep!
Besides that we get the question..."Is that a Geiger Counter" anyway!

 

[KingTotsalot]

Does it have a meter display on it? If so, it is actually a scintillometer, not a Geiger counter. KT has many radioactive minerals in his Royal Fluorescent Mineral Collection, most of which are small specimens, but they will make a scintillometer register.

 

[achaios]

The display is digital, with options for CPM, microSieverts, and some other option I think for Bequerels. It makes clicking sounds, but since there is no Geiger-Muller tube (it is solid state), you are probably right. The company is called BetterGeiger, though. They do sell on Amazon.

I can take it with me metal detecting, and when someone asks "Is that a Geiger counter?", I can say, "No, this one is.".

It slipped my mind that you were also a mineral collector. I have some (non-radioactive) Greenockite (Cadmium Sulfide) that I got just because Cadmium can be toxic.

--Tom

 

[KingTotsalot]

It slipped my mind that you were also a mineral collector. I have some (non-radioactive) Greenockite (Cadmium Sulfide) that I got just because Cadmium can be toxic.

--Tom

No problem, it slips a lot of folks minds! LOL Now I only collect fluorescent minerals, and not surprisingly many of them are radioactive to some degree, as U is a common activator of green fluorescence!

So long as the Cd is tied up in the structure of the Greenockite....as a sulfide....it is not considered toxic, but it sure is as an element. So, unlike radioactive minerals, you do not have to worry about washing your hands after handling it. However, I would not suggest topping your morning cereal with it as a sprinkled powder....since your stomach uses HCl to start the break down for digestion, that would also break down the CdS and you likely would get poisoned! HA HA

 

[achaios]

I have a couple of Uranium minerals that are not fluorescent. Uraninite/Pitchblende (Uranium Oxide) and Carnotite (Potassium Uranium Vanadate). I have a piece of Calcite which is not only fluorescent, but under shortwave ultraviolet, phosphorescent. I've got a shortwave ultraviolet light (sent 1-Day Express on 7/28) that USPS is still playing package hockey with and I'm anxiously waiting to test some of my recent acquisitions.

--Tom

 

[hoser]

Besides that we get the question..."Is that a Geiger Counter"

Wait! What! You mean that's not what we have. I've been dupped.!

 

[GLASSHOPPER1955]

One of my friends has a small geiger counter. Once after I had a medical scan using nuclear contrast, I borrowed it, laid it down and when I walked into the room towards it the counter started activating. Crazy. The contrast had a 3 day half-life so after that it was all over.

 

[KingTotsalot]

Once at my former office, KT had a strange request from the front office, to come down and talk to a fellow. Turns out he had been to the VA and they were to have implanted him with a bunch of radioactive seeds for prostate cancer. He had heard that someone had been checked and they had no radioactivity, so he wanted KT to check him if we had a geiger counter or scintillometer. Went back to my office, got the scintillometer, came back downstairs, turned it on and walked towards him....at about 3 feet it started ticking rapidly, so I was able to tell him, all went well with his operation....and by the way, do not let the grandchildren sit on your lap for about a month! He appreciated my advice!