Colorado Rare Earth Minerals Options

[MikeS]

What time is it?.... IT'S XENOTIME!!!

While we were diggin on the claim on Monday, my longtime friend (and co-owner) was getting into a nice pocket of gemmy smokies when he found a odd crystal we had never seen before. We suspected Zircon because of the crystal shape and it felt very heavy. After a specific gravity test it appears to be Xenotime. It is also on the heavy side of Xenotime which would suggest that the Yttrium in it has been replaced with a heavier mineral/element like Uranium or Thorite. It may have mild radioactivity. If I get the chance to test it for radiation I'll post results. If your wondering how to pronounce Xenotime here is a link with audio: Oxford Dictionaries





The crew and I just before the rare find. (I'm on the left)

[Woody]

Yeah I really wiffed that Xenotime,

When I scanned the description of the mineral I reead a few things that right off the bat made me think it might be a good fit.

- Often grows in contact with other minerals, like on the side.
- Can have a redish huge to it.
- Heavier than quartz.


Well this piece fit those nicely. It is growing on the side of a Smokie, Red/Purpleish color, and it is heavier thatn quartz. But that whole 4-sidded thing is a no go instantly.

So for fun I did that gravity test that you mentioned. Of course I could not test just the one mineral by it's self and had to do the entire piece. It came up with a solid 3, heavy for Qurtz but light for Fluorite. Mixing the two I'd say it is just a fancy piece of Fluorite. But the gravity test worked, Can't wait to do it with other specimens. Thanks again Mike, Woody.
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