  Monazite Sand.  
Monazite is a thorium-bearing mineral that occurs in sand deposits in a number of places around the world.  Only a small proportion of the sand in this sample is actually monazite: It is probably somewhat selected compared to normally occurring sand deposits, but not much.  It's kind of remarkable, really, that you can collect thorium just by scooping it up with a shovel. 
Source: Max Whitby of RGB 
Contributor: Max Whitby of RGB 
Acquired: 20 September, 2005 
Price: Donated 
Size: 1.5" 
Composition: (Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO4
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