URANOPHANE
Specimen urn-1
$ 40.00Dims: 1.1" x 0.8" x 0.6" (2.8 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm)
Wt: 10.1 g w/ foam base
Poison Canyon, near Grants, New Mexico, U.S.A.
This small thumbnail specimen consists of a compact mass of fibrous Uranophane crystals that are partially embedded in a pale brown limestone matrix. The fibers seem to have a radiating tendency, as they emanate from a few different points in the mass, and do not exceed 0.3" (7 cm) in length. They have a bright yellow coloration and a rather dull, waxy luster, and may be translucent, though this feature is nearly impossible to test. The patch is surrounded by and likely rests upon a cluster of dark, brown/black crystals that I believe are calcites. I think that radiation from the Uranophane has darkened them, though I am unsure. The piece is glued onto a foam base with a hot glue; the foam base, in turn, fits snugly into the bottom of the plastic specimen box that houses the specimen.