Prices listed here represent all-inclusive basic rates for sample preparation and microanalytical services. Please CONTACT US to discuss pricing information regarding customised sample treatments and consulting services. See our FAQ page for details regarding sample labeling and documentation, shipping guidelines, and payment options.
Sample Preparation Pricing
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Sample Preparation: Materials – archaeological, geological, engineered
Examples: ceramics, glass, rocks, soils, concrete and other building materials etc.
Service Price ($CDN) Description Thin Section (30 microns) 25 30 micron slice of material is cut from sample and mounted on a slide Thick Section (200 microns) 25 200 micron slice of material is cut from sample and mounted on a slide Polished Thin Section (single-side) 30 A slice of material is cut from sample, mounted on a slide, and polished on exposed surface Polished Thin Section (double-sided) 50 A slice of material is cut from sample, mounted on a slide, polished, the slice is flipped and re-mounted on a new slides, and polished on the exposed surface Cut and Polish 20 A cut is made through an object and the exposed surface is polished -
Sample Preparation: Biomaterials
Examples: human and animal bones, teeth, shells, otoliths*, horn, antler, coral, etc.
Service Price ($CDN) Description Thin Section (30 microns) 25 30 micron slice of material is cut from sample and mounted on a slide Thick Section (200 microns) 25 200 micron slice of material is cut from sample and mounted on a slide Polished Thin Section (single-side) 40 A slice of material is cut from sample, mounted on a slide, and polished on exposed surface Polished Thin Section (double-sided) 60 A slice of material is cut from sample, mounted on a slide, polished, the slice is flipped and re-mounted on a new slides, and polished on the exposed surface Cut and Polish 25 A cut is made through an object and the exposed surface is polished
The above rates include the following if requested or required:
- - Trimming
- - Epoxy embedding
- - Vacuum impregnation
- - Mounting on glass slides
- - Orientation marking
- - Coverslip
- - Labeling and packaging of section cut-offs
We will mount specimens on standard geological (26 x 46mm) or biological (26 x 75mm) glass slides as required and specified.
Contact for information on:
- - Alternative slide dimensions
- - Custom sample treatments
- - Thin sections of multiple otoliths per slide
Special Rates
All sample preparations are shipped back to you within 30 business days of receiving them. You may fast-track your samples according to the following fee schedule. Please CONTACT US with enquiries regarding the progress of your order.
Rush Orders
- < 5 business days: +200%
- 5-10 business days: +100%
- 11-15 business days: +50%
- 16-29 business days: +30%
- 30 business days: (standard)
Please CONTACT US about
Educational discounts (students): 10%
Collaborative research discounts
Analytical Services
Petrographic Analysis and Characterisation Studies: $125/slide
Price includes:
- Analysis
- Formal petrographic descriptions
- Written report of findings
- Photomicrographs of specific/diagnostic geological or physical characteristics of note
- CONTACT US for pricing on point count analysis
Growth Arrest Counts (Wilson Bands, Accentuated Striae) (human or faunal): $150/slide
Price includes:
- Multiple polarized light photographs of the entire tooth surface at 40x magnification
- Creation of a photomontage of the thin section
- Identification of tissues, neonatal line if appropriate, any growth arrest indicators
- Client will receive the photomontage file and written report summarizing the findings of the analysis
- Additional photographs and summary reports may be produced at an additional cost ($20/photo; $100 summary)
- CONTACT US for pricing of time estimates of growth arrest periods
Cementum Annulation counts: $125/slide
Price includes:
- Multiple polarized light photographs of the tooth root at 40x magnification
- Creation of a photomontage of the thin section, identification of tissues, counts of cementum annulation and age-at-death estimate
- Client will receive the photomontage file and written report summarizing the findings of the analysis. Additional photographs and summary reports may be produced at an additional cost ($20/photo; $100 summary)
Photographs: $20/sample (any material)
Price includes:
- Photographs of samples prior to embedding and sectioning
- Photos include scale, multiple angles, identification labels
- Client receives digital copies via email or DVD-ROM
Analytical Consulting Pricing
Services include method development, customised sampling and mounting strategies, process and approach optimization, facilitating access to analytical instrumentation, interpretive strategies. CONTACT US for rates.
Osteological Consulting Pricing
Services include excavation assistance, collections inventories, advanced osteological analyses (age-at-death, sex, stature, activity, indicators of nutrition and health), and comparative research. Clients receive a professional written report including photographs of relevant features of burials and diagnostic characteristics of individuals. CONTACT US for rates.