Stones

Elemental / Mineral Analyses

With the exception of pure material, matter consists of a mixture of elements. It is this very mixture of elements that are essential to the makeup and qualities that an object possesses. There are numerous analytical methods that can be employed to measure specific elements within solids and liquids. Most methods involve the use of instruments that are sensitive to either absorption or emission of spectral lines that are of themselves unique fingerprints of each element. Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectoscopy (ICP-OES) and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS) are examples of these instruments.

Samples are introduced into ICP and FAAS instrument in a liquid form, thus insoluble samples are first solubilized. The type of sample matrix (i.e., grains, feeds, supplements, digesta, sludges, etc.) will dictate the possible digestion methods that will be used to solubilize the samples prior to analyses. The number and concentration of different elements that are to be analyzed within a sample are also considerations.

In addition to spectroscopic methods, there are also classic volumetric, gravimetric and colorimetric methods that are specialized for specific elements in unique matrices.

Current academic or corporate price lists for analytical services are available by e-mail. Please refer to the 'Sample Submittal' page for information pertaining to the declaration of 'supplemental' elements that are added to samples prior to analysis.


Inorganic Analyses