Products Overview

In its role of supporting the global geoanalytical community, the IAG is making available a range of reference materials. These are:

Certified Reference Materials

The production and certification of these materials to the highest metrological standards is carried out by the IAG Certification Committee according to the IAG Certification Procotol [1, 2], which takes account of ISO Guides 34 and 35.
Because of the variety of composition of geological materials, the Certification Committee of the IAG places great emphasis on the qualifications of the laboratories supplying data for each certification exercise. They are selected on the basis of their performance in the IAG’s GeoPT proficiency testing programme. Only experienced laboratories that achieve outstanding results for a GeoPT material of the same or similar matrix are invited to contribute data for the assignment of the final certified values and calculation of measurement uncertainty.

Rock Powder Reference Materials

These are derived from the IAG’s long running GeoPT interlaboratory proficiency testing programme for the analysis of silicate rocks and other environmental materials. While not meeting absolutely all the criteria of a CRM, the assigned values for these materials are supported by a huge amount of information which is provided in detailed reports on each material.

Microanalytical Reference Materials

A wide range of microanalytical reference materials are available for purchase from IAGeo Limited, largely as a result of our collaboration with the Mineralogical and Geological Museum, Harvard University over several years. A single aliquot consists of approximately 100 mg of material. These include:

  • Zircon 91500 which is widely used for U-Th-Pb geochronology and δ18O studies and has also been characterised for trace element and Hf-isotope contents. It is one of the best characterised geochemical reference materials for microanalysis.
  • A number of Harvard materials that were characterised for use as RMs specifically for the measurement of oxygen concentration as determined by electron microprobe (McGuire et al. [3])
  • A suite of mineral phases characterised for their light element contents and isotopic compositions. These are described in Dyar et al. [4] and Leeman et al. [5].

Other materials from the Harvard Mineralogical and Geological Museum’s collection are also available. These are currently being studied by the IAG to increase their utility as microanalytical reference materials.

Isotope Ratio Reference Materials

These include DROsS, an osmium isotope reference solution, a set of tourmalines characterised for Li, B and O isotope ratios and several apatites for the calibration of δ37Cl. In addition, apatites MGMH#133648 and MGMH#128441A have been characterised for oxygen isotopes as well. New additions to our list of mineral reference materials are some sulphate minerals (anhydrite, gypsum and barite) characterised for δ18O and δ34S.

How to Order

Please send an email to info@iageo.com listing the materials you wish to buy.

  • IAG members will qualify for a significant (ca. 30%) discount if they include their membership number.
  • Purchasers in the UK will be charged VAT at 20%. Customers in EU member states and those outside the EU will not be charged VAT but will need to be mindful of their local tax regulations for importing goods. IAGeo Limited accepts no liability for local taxes or import duty.
  • Please supply full details of the address for delivery and the invoice address, if this is different.
  • Delivery charges will vary depending on the material and the purchaser’s location and are typically in the range £15-£55.
  • We will send you an invoice for the appropriate amount as soon as we receive your order by email. If you are buying for an institution, please supply an official purchase order.
  • We can accept payment by credit card, PayPal, electronic transfer to our bank account or a Sterling cheque. Details will be given on the invoice.

References:
1. J.S. Kane, P.J. Potts, M. Wiedenbeck, J. Carignan and S. Wilson (2003). International Association of Geoanalysts’ protocol for the certification of geological and environmental reference materials. Geostandards Newsletter: The Journal of Geostandards and Geoanalysis, 27, 227-244

2. J.S. Kane, P.J. Potts, T. Meisel and M. Wiedenbeck (2007). International Association of Geoanalysts’ protocol for the certification of geological and environmental reference materials: a supplement. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 31, 285-288

3. A.V. McGuire, C.A. Francis and M.D. Dyar (1992). Mineral standards for electron microprobe analysis of oxygen. American Mineralogist, 77, 1087-1091

4. M.D. Dyar, M. Wiedenbeck, D. Robertson, L.R. Cross, J.S. Delaney, K. Ferguson, C.A. Francis, E.S. Grew, C.V. Guidotti, R.L. Hervig, J.M. Hughes, J. Husler, W. Leeman, A.V. McGuire, D. Rhede, H. Rothe, R.L. Paul, I. Richards, and M. Yates (2001). Reference minerals for microanalysis of light elements. Geostandards Newsletter, 25, 441-463

5. W.P. Leeman and S. Tonarini (2001). Boron isotopic analysis of proposed borosilicate mineral reference samples. Geostandards Newsletter, 25, 399-403