Feature
Gems & Gemology, Winter 1989, Vol. 25, No. 4
Mildly Radioactive Rhinestones and Synthetic Spinel-And-Glass Triplets
Kurt Nassau and Edward A. Lewand
Low levels of radioactivity were found in some greenish yellow to yellow-green (peridot-like) synthetic spinel-and-glass triplets, mirror-backed glass rhinestone chatons, and fully fashioned glass rhinestones. Uranium was detected in the radioactive stones. Although individual stones in jewelry carry virtually no risk, it is recommended that parcels of such stones not be carried on one's person for prolonged periods.
