Geology Reports⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70045866

Mineral resource of the month: thallium

Xiaoyu Bi
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Thallium is known as a poison, its use initially suspected in the recent death of a Russian spy, but it has a variety of more important applications in everything from medical imaging to wireless communications.

Explore related subjects

GeotimesArticle

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Xiaoyu Bi. 2007. Mineral resource of the month: thallium. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70045866

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2008

Mineral resource of the month: arsenic

Arsenic has a long and varied history: Although it was not isolated as an element until the 13th century, it was known to the ancient Chinese, Egyptians and Greeks in compound form in the minerals arsenopyrite, realgar and orpiment. In the 1400s, “Scheele’s Green” was first used as an arsenic pigment in wallpaper, and leached arsenic from wallpaper may have contributed to Napoleon’s death in 1821. The 1940s play and later movie, Arsenic and Old Lace, dramatizes the metal’s more sinister role. Arsenic continues to be an important mineral commodity with many modern applications.

Geotimes↗
USGS2008

Mineral resource of the month: gemstones

Humans have been intrigued by gemstones since prehistoric times. Gemstones have been valued as treasured objects throughout history by all societies in all parts of the world. The first stones known to have been used for making jewelry include amber, amethyst, coral, diamond, emerald, garnet, jade, jasper, lapis lazuli, pearl, rock crystal, ruby, serpentine and turquoise. These stones served as status symbols for the wealthy. Today, arguably, gems are worn more for pleasure and in appreciation of their beauty than to demonstrate wealth.

Geotimes↗