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Techniques for CollectorsQuartz Wedge
22nd Apr 2012 22:00 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
The 'scope is a Zeiss student model and takes a standard DIN plate..
HELP!!!
Don
22nd Apr 2012 23:00 UTCHenry Barwood
There is a short description of how to make optical wedges out of stretched acrylic plastic in:
Am. Min. 67:853 1982
Taggart, K. C.
Inexpensive "Quartz Wedges"
Might take a few tries, but would certainly be cheaper than a real quartz wedge.
23rd Apr 2012 00:47 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
Don
24th Apr 2012 14:37 UTCDonald Peck
24th Apr 2012 18:05 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
The difficulty with the acryllic is the optical quality - it would have to be used on the stage....
And, yes, hand-lapping a thin section is an art I haven't mastered either!!!!
Don
24th Apr 2012 22:04 UTCOwen Lewis
Try Hyxtal (http://www.hxtal.co.uk/) its the epoxy of choice for those skilled jewelers who make composite gems. A chat with them may help you settle the grade you want for this application.
24th Apr 2012 22:32 UTCCharles Creekmur Expert
Some years ago I made a wedge. I had a large block of clear quartz that I cut a oriented slab out of and went to one of our local club faceters and had him grind it for me on my direction. It turned out perfect 4 orders but I suspect that was 1 % "knowing what I was doing" and 99% "beginners luck". As I remember, I used Canada Balsam on a regular microscope slide.
Good luck,
Charles
25th Apr 2012 00:30 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
Don
26th Apr 2012 16:11 UTCDonald Peck
26th Apr 2012 17:49 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
Don
26th Apr 2012 21:58 UTCGary Moldovany
27th Apr 2012 00:00 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
When studying the optical characteristics of a non-opaque mineral with a polarizing microscope there are two accessory plates used to aid in determining optical sign (+/-)....among other things. One is the Gypsum Plate which has a fixed retardation and the other is the Quartz Wedge which has a "variable" retardation.
For a better explanation Google "Optical Mineralogy"......there is no quick & easy way to describe it's use....(sorry!!)
Don S.
27th Apr 2012 16:10 UTCDonald Peck
27th Apr 2012 19:43 UTCDon Saathoff Expert
16th Jun 2012 03:06 UTCGerald Wells
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Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 19, 2024 13:00:33