While not an expert, there are a number of ways to enhance the colour of gem
stones. Another, common, method is to heat the crystals. Seems, though, that
radiation only is used to enhance blue topaz.
Martin
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Marr-Lyon [mailto:mark.marrlyon@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2011 11:40 AM
To: Olympus Camera Discussion
Subject: Re: [OM] [OT] - irradiated topaz - gieger counter anyone
Irradiation with neutrons or protons can cause the material to become
radioactive by changing some of the nuclei into unstable isotopes, but for
light elements this radioactivity is usually quite short lived. If there are
metal impurities it can last much longer. I would guess that your ring is not
very radioactive, if at all, and you will need a relatively sensitive detector
to find it. The hospital or local school should have a geiger counter that
would work. Emergency responders are mostly concerned with things that are
immediately dangerous, and if they have detectors they might not be sensitive
enough. Last time I looked, most of the geiger counters available on ebay were
cold war relics that were only capable of detecting post-apocalyptic levels of
radiation. Your film might have the same problem, but it may be worth a try. I
wouldn't try your wife's dosimeter, since it probably would cause problems if
the ring is radioactive. You could also try building a cloud chamber, see
http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/~adf4/cloud.html
Of course, whatever method you try, it is helpful to have a known low-level
radioactive source around to see if your detector is working. What better
reason to pick up a nice yellow silvernose 55/1.2?
Mark
On Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 7:48 AM, SwissPace <ian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> From my web searching I believe this is correct but if there are any
> impurities in the topaz they can become radioactive. I don't want to
> take any risks and have been pondering of late why so many young women
> I have know have died in their 40-50's and wonder if it could be
> related to such jewellery ( of course it could be the alchohol) - yes
> I know I think too much.
>
> As a doctor's assistant my wife takes X-rays as part of her tasks so
> we have access to the film and development of such and she also has to
> wear a detector badge which we considered leaving it next to for a
> month. I was just wondering if there was a better method.
--
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