What is Trinitite?
Trinitite is a low level radioactive, glass-like substance created on July 16, 1945, during the Trinity test in New Mexico, which was the world's first nuclear bomb explosion.
How It Formed:
The intense heat of the bomb explosion—which exceeded the temperature of the sun's surface. When the bomb, named "Gadget" detonated, it pushed downward in the desert ground and then sucked up the quartzite and fledspar desert sand up into the fireball (mushroom cloud). The sand melted instantly. Some combined with vaporized components of the bomb and its metal support tower. Some combined with vaporized copper from the copper wiring around Gadget and the copper wiring laid out across the desert floor. Most thrusted outwards cooling in the air landing on the desert floor as molten droplets that cooled into sheets of glass. The more rare "glassy" pieces were thrust upwards, above the mushroom cloud, into the man maade storm, instantly cooled by the rain droplets, and rained back down to the desert floor as molten droplets that cooled into sheets of glass.
Key Characteristics:
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Appearance: Most common pieces are light green or olive-drab, featuring some smooth areas, dull to glossy top sides and a bumpy, rough underside mixed with unmelted sand grains. Rare glassy green pieces are a various mixture of green colors on the the top side, slick or smooth, very to extremly very glassy with gorgeous crystallizations. Ulta rare pieces like Red Trinitite colored by vaporized copper wiring from the test site exist, as well as Blue, White, and pieces with cable wiring and metal preserved in the piece.
- Two-sided feature- the top side has the colors, the undersides are a rough greyish to pale color.
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Composition: It is primarily made of melted quartz and feldspar sand. Recent scientific studies have also discovered unique, complex crystal structures and quasicrystals trapped inside the glass.
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Radioactivity: It remains low level radioactive from trapped nuclear fallout isotopes like Cesium-137, though radiation levels in surviving pieces are low enough that it is safe to handle.
- Legal Status: The U.S. government bulldozed and buried most of the trinitite at the site in 1953. It is currently illegal to harvest or remove any remaining material from the Trinity Site (White Sands Missle Range), though pieces collected before the ban are still legally bought and sold by collectors.
Is Trinitite radioactive?
Yes, Trinitite is considered low level radioactive, and is safe to handle and display. Only trace elements remain and Many common household items, like household smoke detectors, are radioactive and must be shipped with the appropriate USPS, or any other shipping method, radioactive warning stickers on the outside and/or inside of the shipping package. Trinitite does not require any radioactive USPS, or any other shipping method, radioactive stickers on the other or interior of the package.
Is it legal to own Trinitite?
Yes, it is legal to own and sell Trinitite that was collected prior to 1952. After 1952 the government buried Trinitite in an undisclosed location. Tours of the Trinity Site are open to the public, now once a year, and if you happen upon a loose piece, it is illegal to collect. The Trinity Site Museum sells Trinitite and related souvieners.
How do I know my Trinitite is authentic?
Our collection was first tested by an independent lab by A. Stoev. All orders come with the Gamma Spectroscopy results, A. Stoev's notes, and a Certificate of Authenticity Card. These are placed in a plastic sheeth for protection.
A. Stoev tested our collection and is well known in the Trinitite world. Texas A&M university Nuclear Enginerring and Science Labs and Department (TAMU) has also tested specimens from our collection confirming extremely rare pieces in our collection.
All of our Trinitite specimens provenance is The Dr. Ralph Emerson Pray Collection, one of the most well-documented, respected, and largest Trinitite collections in existence. Pieces from this collection have been used in scientific research, including the discovery of rare quasi-crystal inclusions. We stand behind the authenticity of every specimen we sell. Our collection was aquired from a WWII Veteran's Estate. His Military Orders document his assignment to the "Manhattan Project" and Military Orders as one of the soldiers who escorted Dr. Ralph Pray's first four truckloads out of the Trinity Site.
- All orders come with a Certificate of Authenticity Card, Independent Lab's Gamma Spectrum graph results, and the Scientist's personal notes in a plastic sheath to prevent damage. The backside of the Certificate of Authenticity Card is marked with a number(s) representing its testing and listing its provenance: Dr. Ralph Pray Collection. This is to maintain this piece's provenance and history.
- Much of our collection is rare for a couple of reasons. Our collection contains Baratol (Ba-130, Ba-132, Ba-133 peaks), meaning our pieces were gathered close to the detonation site. The Baratol comes from the conventional explosive used to initiate the atomic explosion. This is documented in detail in A. Stoev's notes.
What types of Trinitite do you sell?
We carry several types of Trinitite, including the most common, most common with black inclusions, most common with various shades of orange and a terrocotte color, glassy greens, puddled, glassy green with black inclusions, visible arkosic glassy topsides, Black Trinitite, and White/Clear Trinitite. Visit our Types of Trinitite For Sale page to learn more about each type.
How should I store and display my Trinitite?
We recommend storing Trinitite in a display case for protection. It is perfectly safe to display in your home, office, or collection — just treat it with the same care you would any rare mineral specimen. We do not recommend displaying Trinitite on an open air stand. Trinitite is delicate and will easily break if knocked off a stand. If Trinitite collects dust, any attempt to dust it off or wash it off will most certainly damage the Trinitite.
How should I handle my Trinitite?
When handling your Trinitite outside of its case, do so over a soft surface. Trinitite, especially the glassy pieces and extremely rare pieces live up to Trinitite's Nickname: Green Glass. If dropped on a hard surface, it will break, crack, split, and/or shatter. We encourage light play to enjoy all of Trinitite's wonders. During light play do not roll the piece in between you thumb and fingers. This causes friction and the edges of the Trinitite will begin to crumble, called breakage. Instead, hold the piece between the index finger and thumb, rotate it at different angles using your wrist When you want to look at a different side or at a different angle, manually remove the piece, turn it, and place it back in-between your thumb and index finger.
What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 3 days of delivery. Items must be in their original condition and packaging. Please read our return policies before purchasing any of our products.
How long does shipping take?
Standard shipping takes 5–7 business days. Free domestic shipping is USPS standard. Expedited shipping options are available at checkout, but the customer is responsible to pay the difference in the cost of shipping.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship to many countries worldwide. Shipping rates and delivery times vary by location and will be calculated at checkout.
How can I track my order?
Once your order ships, you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number so you can follow your package every step of the way.
How do I contact customer support?
You can reach us through our Contact page or by emailing us at support@trinititerocks.com. We're happy to help with any questions about our specimens or your order.
