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ClassicGems.net |
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Metamict Gems |
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Metamict minerals are minerals that initially had internal crystalline structures but have become amorphous due to accumulated structural damage caused by radiation. This process is called Metamictization. Metamictization is a natural, gradual process of the destruction of the internal crystalline structure of a mineral due to radiation. The radiation is usually due to one or more radioactive elements in the mineral's chemical composition or may be caused by exposure from external radiation. Metamictization eventually leaves the mineral amorphous, or without any internal crystalline structure while its original external crystal form has not changed. Once this process is complete the mineral is desctibed as metamict. See below for more information. |
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| Allanite |
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Ekanite |
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Euxenite-(Y) |
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Fergusonite-(Ce) | ||||
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| Gadolinite-(Y) |
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Samarskite-(Y) |
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Sphene (Titanite) |
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| Thorite | ||||||||||
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The gems shown above are considered to be metamict. They contain one or more radioactive elements. The list below shows the mineral, the radioactive element it contains, the percentage of that element and the mineral's relative level of radioactivity. Samarskite, Thorite
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