Zippeite, Plasilite

This specimen features radioactive radial aggregates of zippeite from the Markey Mine in San Juan County, Utah—a former copper-uranium (Cu-U) mine. The specimen also includes smears of plášilite, a rare uranium mineral known from only four localities worldwide, the near-by Blue Lizard Mine being the type locality. While the plášilite mostly appears as smears, there are a couple well-formed blades present. Both minerals are highly reactive to ultraviolet (UV) light: under UV, zippeite fluoresces a vibrant yellow-green, while plášilite glows a bright neon green. These rare uranium minerals make for an exceptional and scientifically significant specimen, with the Markey Mine being a noted source for such finds. For more details on the locality, see: Mindat: Markey Mine https://www.mindat.org/loc-27591.html