The microworld of minerals reveals fascinating details that are invisible to the naked eye. Under magnification, minerals transform into wondrous landscapes filled with complex shapes, revealing fine details and surface textures. Small crystals display their perfect symmetry, while impurities and inclusions inside the minerals tell stories about their origin and the conditions in which they were formed.
Stereomicroscope
A stereomicroscope is the basic tool for initial mineral investigation. It is easy to use and allows detailed surface examination of mineral and rock samples. With the help of a stereomicroscope, we study morphology of small crystals and their inclusions. The magnifications tipically used range from 10x to 40x.
Stereomicroscope partsScanning electron microscope
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) has much higher resolution power than a stereomicroscope or any light microscope. It allows for enormous magnifications, up to a million times, and enables much more detailed studies of surface topography and morphology of samples.
SEM – more info
