Taking my fired samples to the next level involves some serious time at the grinding wheel.

preparing to go under the microscope

My intention at the moment is focussed on what I can see - and what I can’t yet see - in my samples. So to that end, I have received some valuable help from an extremely generous, knowledgeable and capable University Technician. And for this I am immensely grateful.

cross sections: there is a super rich clarity to the crystal shapes of the granite rock here, with my addition showing up well. The beautiful green colour is entirely natural…. yet it has the the same chemical make up as the surrounding rock which doesn’t show any green at all....it's amazing!

With his help I now have two, properly prepared section slides which I can view under a microscope. And I am super excited to see what I find, particularly under the polarising microscope. These slides look almost black and white to the naked eye but watch this space for what comes next, I can’t wait!