Table of Contents 

1. How should samples be prepared for shipping?   
2. How quick can orders be processed?
3. What kind of section do I need?
4. What are the procedures used in making thin sections?
5. What do the different stains do?
6. What are my payment options  

How should my samples be prepared for shipping?

.If you are sending a hand sample, simply wrapping the sample well and clearly marking the sample number is usually good enough. If you would like the sample cut from a specific area indicate the plane you would like the section cut from by marking the sample with markers or whiteout, If you want the sample orientated indicate the orientation and we will preserve the orientation on the slide If you are precutting the sample  it should be approximately 22mm x 45mm and about 15mm thick. There is a discount for precut samples, $.50 . If the sample is precut we will make the section from the side opposite the side you have numbered. Please limit the length of your numbers so as to fit on the slide, (approx. 5 digits) Once the samples have been prepared you can use whatever shipping method that is convenient.

How quick can I get my order processed?

 There are several options for turnaround time. Our standard turnaround is approximately 2-3 weeks. We also offer rush services that can deliver samples as quickly as 2 days. The pricing on rush orders is dependent on how quickly you want the sample. Please call for specifics.

What kind of section do I need?

There are several kinds of sections all have specific applications. 

The standard petrographic section can be used for transmitted light work, cut to 30 microns to be used for petrographic study in crossed or uncrossed polars.  A coverslip is optional, they are also nonremoveable.

Polished thin sections are the most versatile in that they can be used for transmitted and reflected light, along with microprobe or cathodluminescence.

 Fluid inclusion sections are highly polished thick sections that can be made to be removable from the glass.

 Ore mounts are polished  thick (15mm) sections mounted on a slide used for reflected light or cathodeluminescece.

 These are the basic slides, we can custom make slides to any application.

How are sections made?

There are several sizes of thin sections but the basic steps are the same. The sample is trimmed to size. This may require impregnation or consolidation of some samples. The "chip" or "billet" then goes thru various stages of grinding to get the sample as optically flat as possible, something around 1000 grit  is best. The next step is to adhere the chip to a frosted slide, and there are various epoxies specific for thin section making( the index of refraction is known). After the sample cures the majority of the chip is cut away leaving a few thousandths of rock adhered to the slide, this is then ground down to the required thickness. 

Staining techniques

There are numerous references for specific stains, and if possible we will mix most of them. The basic stains offered are:

Potassium feldspar--used to distinguish k-feldspar, the stain is pale yellow

Plagioclase feldspar--to distinguish plagioclase, lite pink

alzarin red--- used to distinguish calcite, lite pink.

k-spar -plag stain can be used in combination.

We hope to have the recipes for these stains along with staining techniques on our page soon.

Payment

Payment can be made by visa / MasterCard, thru purchase order or by check. in order to process your order include PO or credit card information with order. orders paid by credit card are charged the 5% processing fee