Mineral specimens can vary significantly within a deposit, shipment or hand sample. Before analytical numbers are useful, it is important to understand where material came from and how the sample represents the material of interest.
Consider mineral composition, sampling and the measurements that matter to your decision.
The suitable approach depends on the material, the intended outcome and the details agreed by the parties.
Make a service enquiryDifferent specimen forms and questions call for different considerations. The following themes help frame the discussion.
Analytical work may seek to identify major constituents, target metals, impurities or other characteristics relevant to a commercial or technical question. The appropriate measurement depends on the material, the elements of interest and the intended decision.
Composition can change between locations or even between particles in the same batch. Sample collection, preparation, splitting and documentation therefore affect how an analytical result should be understood. Precisely measuring an unrepresentative specimen can still lead to a misleading conclusion about a larger lot.
Results should describe the specimen assessed, the measurements and relevant units. Consider the method, reporting limits and whether the selected sample can reasonably represent the material of wider interest.
A few useful details can make your first enquiry much more focused.
Describe the material, the service of interest and any supporting information.
