Sample Submittal Instructions

Sample Size

Rocks are inherently large objects! We prefer 50-100 g of homogenous material to work with.

For very coarse-grained intrusive rocks, several kg per sample isn’t unreasonable to ensure accurate representation of all phases.  

Sample Quality

Please send us the freshest material possible. I.E., weathered thin section billet cutoffs rarely result in an ideal chemical analysis. The data you receive will reflect the quality of the material you send us.

Rock, chips, slabs or powder?

Please send chips, slabs or rock. We don’t charge less for powders since, inevitably, we’ll have to regrind them. If you are submitting sawn slabs, please do not chip them. We must remove any saw marks that are present and this is much easier to do on an intact slab.  

Packaging

Please do not send samples in glass vials unless the lids have been taped closed and the vials are wrapped securely in bubble wrap. Do pack tightly and include plenty of padding such as newspaper.

Mailing Address

Hamilton College
Taylor Science Center
3973 Campus Road
Clinton, N.Y. 13323USA
ATTN: Hamilton Analytical Laboratory

Payment

Payment is due once data has been sent. We are able to accept purchase orders, checks, and credit card payments. Please see our pricing page for details.

Return of Samples

Please indicate if you would like us to return any excess sample material to you. We will do so for a flat $15 fee for U.S. addresses.

Samples held after 6 months will be disposed of to make room for new submittals.

Grinding Media

We routinely grind in tungsten carbide because it produces a very fine powder;  however, we can grind in alumina upon request.

Analysis Time

Analysis turnaround time is highly variable and depends upon instrument status and volume of submitted orders. Normal turnaround time for XRF & LOI analyses is ~2 months, and 3-4 months for XRF and LA-ICPMS analyses. Please contact HAL staff for a more accurate estimate of the turnaround time for your order.

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* Note: We attempt to reserve enough material to run a duplicate analysis if a preparation or measurement error is suspected.  However we cannot do this if:

• 29 mm sample size ≤ 7 g
• 15 mm sample size ≤ 3 g

Therefore, if at all possible, please send more than the absolute minimum weight.

The Limits of Determination of our small sample (15 mm dia.) calibrations are larger than those of our standard 29 mm calibration.

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