Analytical Services

Sample Preparation
$40 per hour
This includes cutting and marking of samples, shipping to the nearest thin section production facility or geochemical assay laboratory, or preparing display samples. $40 per hour.

Grain Mounting
$50 per grain mount
Mounting of individual grains for EMPA or SEM analysis. Contact to confirm pricing

Basic Petrography
$225 per thin section
A petrographic study involves the observation of all thin sections using an advanced Olympus BX-41 under transmitted light, crossed polarized light, and reflected light with Nikon DSLR camera attachment to provide highly detailed photomicrographs. Information gathered includes the identification of minerals, estimation of modal compositions, petrogenetic sequence, textures, grain size, and alteration. A mineralogical report is completed on the observations and includes all necessary photos to demonstrate the mineralogy, textures, and anything else of importance within the section. The report includes table and/or bullet form notes of observations, recommendations for follow-up work and all necessary labelled photos. No interpretation or discussion is made.

Detailed Petrography
$275 per thin section (average cost; please contact for a more accurate cost as it is dependent on the information to be interpreted and analyzed)
Includes everything within the basic petrography package but includes a detailed analysis and interpretation of the data. This may involve advanced research of the deposit, similar deposits or mineralogy. This may also include using data provided by the client (assay results, drill logs, previous reports etc.) to provide a more detailed and accurate interpretation of the samples and project.

Scanning Electron Microscopy
Price is dependent on machine availability and time required. Please contact for a more detailed quote.
This study can be completed supplementary to a petrographic study or on its own in order to identify minerals, and/or accessory elements within mineral phases, and observe microstructures, microtextures, and compositional zoning. It includes carbon coating the thin sections, grain mounts, rock or mineral fragments to be observed, backscattered electron images, element maps, EDX (electron dispersive X-ray) spectra for mineral and accessory element identification, and incorporating the data and images into a mineralogical report. On average between 2 and 3 thin sections are analyzed per hour; although this can change depending on the mineralogical complexity.

Electron Microprobe  for Mineral Chemistry
Price is dependent on machine availability and time required. Please contact for a more detailed quote.
This study can be completed supplementary to a petrographic study or on its own in order to obtain quantitative data on the chemistry of specific minerals. The study includes interpretation of data and incorporation into a report. On average between 2 and 4 thin sections are analyzed per 12 hour period; however, this depends on the complexity of the rock and mineralogy. Individual pricing will be quoted for more complex projects.

X-Ray Diffraction
Price is dependent on machine availability and time required. Please contact for a more detailed quote.
This study identifies single or multiple minerals by X-ray powder diffractometer.

Basic Whole Rock Analytical Package
Please contact for a more detailed quote.
Basic whole rock package up to 47 elements. Completed at a certified ISO laboratory; includes communicating with laboratory staff and completing QA/QC checks to ensure the resulting data is of high quality. Specific projects may have specific needs; please contact to confirm pricing per sample and individual elemental requirements.

Full Whole Rock and Trace Element Analytical Package
Please contact for a more detailed quote.
Full 61 element package. Completed at a certified ISO laboratory; includes communicating with laboratory staff and completing QA/QC checks to ensure the resulting data is of high quality. Specific projects may have specific needs; please contact to confirm specialist pricing per sample and individual elemental requirements.

Interpretation of Whole-Rock, Trace Element and XRD Geochemical Data
$50 per hour
Interpretation of the geochemical results and summarizing the information in report form. This may be added into a mineralogical report.

Mineral Observation and Grain Picking
$40 per hour
Picking individual minerals from heavy mineral concentrate - zircon, kimberlite indicator minerals, gemstones, etc.

Detailed Mineral Photography
$40 per hour unlabeled photos, $50 for labeled photos
Photography of thin sections, individual minerals, and/or rocks under a variety of conditions - Visible Au, gemstones - for web or promotional materials.

Technical Report Writing
Please contact for a more detailed quote.
This can include a report on any analytical work completed by Hummingbird or another company.