Precision Petrographics of British Columbia: Worldwide Petrographic Thin Section Service

Welcome to Precision Petrographics.

The field of geology studies the data stored for millennia within geological structures, providing humanity with a deeper understanding of our world and how it formed. Petrographic thin section preparation, also referred to as a petrographic slide, is an integral part of geology as it prepares a physical sample for analysis.

However, perhaps due to the nature of its subject matter, petrographic services are slow to change. The industry has used the same technology and methodology for decades.

This is the reason why Precision Petrographics came to be.

Why Choose Us?

Precision Petrographics is a new company built on a solid foundation of experience. Our employees have
more than a decade of experience in the field, but our purpose goes beyond mere experience. Our aim
is to move the industry forward in both technology and service.

Newer Technology: Unlike most service providers, we are the manufacturers of our own equipment.
This was a necessary focal point for the inception of Precision Petrographics as our primary objective is
greater efficiency.

Our Service: Even in rigorous scientific fields a service should still be focused on customer care. This fact
is something we take very seriously. When dealing with clients we want them to know that they have
access to our staff not only to respond to emails, but to converse with them directly.

Why? Because having a relationship with our clients allows us to understand their needs and
expectations, and in turn provide a better more personalized service.

Thin Sections: Kimberlite and more

British Columbia is a central hub for thin section preparation worldwide. This is no surprise, mineral
products are Canada’s fifth largest export and British Columbia is perfectly located for international
trade. Precision Petrographics is keenly aware of the rigorous standards set forth by its discerning client
base. That is why we specialize in kimberlite thin sections.

Discovery of Kimberlite deposits can completely shift not only a mining company’s profits but the
economy of a country. Thus, it is the ideal proving ground for a petrographics company looking to
elevate the industry’s already high standards.

Of course, we create petrographic slides for any project. If it is a mineral, Precision Petrographics is at your service.

Pricelist

Thin Sections – 30 micron covered or uncovered

26x46mm $27.00
50x75mm $80.00

Polished Thin Sections – 30 micron

26x46mm $54.00
50x75mm $165.00

Polished Thick Sections – 200+ micron

26x46mm $38.00
25mm Diameter $38.00

Kimberlites

Thin Section $38.00
Wedged Thin Section $40.00
Polished Thin Section $60.00
Slabs-Matte Finish $40.00

Sand Percussion Drill Chips & Mill Concentrates

Thin Section $36.00
Polished Thin Section $58.00
Fluid Inclusion $62.00
Sample Impregnation $6.00
Blue Epoxy $8.00
KFeldspar Staining $6.00
Red Alizarin “C” Stain $5.00
Ferrous Carbonate “F” Stain $5.00
Yellow Fluorescent Dye $5.00
Vacuum Impregnation $2.00
Orientation $2.00
Water Free Preparation $10.00

Please call to verify accommodation of a rush order.

For Cutting, Grinding, Display Polishing please call for a quote.

Phone 1-604-220-4031

All prices are in Canadian currency. USD pricing available upon request.

Updated September 2023

 

Contact Us

 

If you have questions about our services, please contact us by phone or email. We will show you that the
words you have just read are our firm commitment.

    Testimonials

    This is one of my new favorite service providers for the minerals exploration industry!

    For those of us who want to get into the science of geology and understand our rocks, then this is the place to get your samples prepared. The team are quick, accurate and produce high quality results. They are also open to experimentation ...

    I have put my first round of samples through with them and am pleased with the results that I intend on making this a core service for my clients.

    Oh, and their dog is cute!

    Andrew Randell

    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2018-09-19T23:51:05+00:00

    Andrew Randell

    This is one of my new favorite service providers for the minerals exploration industry! For those of us who want to get into the science of geology and understand our rocks, then this is the place to get your samples prepared. The team are quick, accurate and produce high quality results. They are also open to experimentation ... I have put my first round of samples through with them and am pleased with the results that I intend on making this a core service for my clients. Oh, and their dog is cute!
    Dustin and Sue have been looking after the production of thousands of thin sections and polished slabs for me for many years from various mines and exploration projects around the world. I have always been impressed with the quality and attention to detail that is required particularly with the extensively altered rocks I often provide them with. Thank you!!

    Casey Hetman

    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2018-09-19T23:50:32+00:00

    Casey Hetman

    Dustin and Sue have been looking after the production of thousands of thin sections and polished slabs for me for many years from various mines and exploration projects around the world. I have always been impressed with the quality and attention to detail that is required particularly with the extensively altered rocks I often provide them with. Thank you!!
    Some of the best PTS I've ever had made. These were uniform in thickness (no thinning towards margins), observed birefringences were right on the money for a 30 um thickness and even soft minerals in a hard matrix were polished to a high degree (no significant pitting or grain removal, no undue scratching). Communication was excellent with Sue and Dustin. Real please to work with and the price per PTS is right on the money. My students and I will work with them again in the future. Very highly recommend the business and team at Precision Petrographics.

    Andrew Mcdonald

    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2018-12-07T23:20:28+00:00

    Andrew Mcdonald

    Some of the best PTS I've ever had made. These were uniform in thickness (no thinning towards margins), observed birefringences were right on the money for a 30 um thickness and even soft minerals in a hard matrix were polished to a high degree (no significant pitting or grain removal, no undue scratching). Communication was excellent with Sue and Dustin. Real please to work with and the price per PTS is right on the money. My students and I will work with them again in the future. Very highly recommend the business and team at Precision Petrographics.
    I have recently used Precision Petrographics for preparing several batches of polished thin sections. Their quality is excellent -- no bubbles, correct thickness throughout the slide, and a good polish. I normally stain the offcuts for K-feldspar; and I appreciate the extra touch of their returning the "standard" slice they use to test the staining. Their turnaround has been better than I expected. Finally, communication with both Dustin and Sue has been excellent.

    Brock Riedell

    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2018-12-08T00:53:20+00:00

    Brock Riedell

    I have recently used Precision Petrographics for preparing several batches of polished thin sections. Their quality is excellent -- no bubbles, correct thickness throughout the slide, and a good polish. I normally stain the offcuts for K-feldspar; and I appreciate the extra touch of their returning the "standard" slice they use to test the staining. Their turnaround has been better than I expected. Finally, communication with both Dustin and Sue has been excellent.
    Really happy with the end product....Highly recommend!- Westhaven Ventures Inc.

    Shaun Pollard

    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2018-11-27T23:39:44+00:00

    Shaun Pollard

    Really happy with the end product....Highly recommend!- Westhaven Ventures Inc.
    I brought some massive sulphide nickel samples to Precision for cutting and polishing. Dustin did an absolutely amazing job with them. The end product was way beyond my expectations. 10/10 I will definitely bring my next order to Precision.

    Scott Venema

    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2018-10-24T18:50:11+00:00

    Scott Venema

    I brought some massive sulphide nickel samples to Precision for cutting and polishing. Dustin did an absolutely amazing job with them. The end product was way beyond my expectations. 10/10 I will definitely bring my next order to Precision.
    Had over 100 polished sections made and the quality of them is excellent! The turnaround time was very fast and the folks at Precision Petrographics are great to work with.

    Colin Padget

    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2019-03-08T17:56:11+00:00

    Colin Padget

    Had over 100 polished sections made and the quality of them is excellent! The turnaround time was very fast and the folks at Precision Petrographics are great to work with.
    Ultimate service and results - cannot be beaten!
    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2019-12-02T20:16:48+00:00
    Ultimate service and results - cannot be beaten!
    I've had hundreds of thin sections made through this team over the past 5 years (before they started precision pet) and I've always received beautifully cut, polished and labelled samples. They've built a beautiful, clean and organized facility here (stop by they'll show you around), with custom-built equipment. Making good thin sections is a craft, and Dustin is top-notch!
    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2019-12-02T20:17:17+00:00
    I've had hundreds of thin sections made through this team over the past 5 years (before they started precision pet) and I've always received beautifully cut, polished and labelled samples. They've built a beautiful, clean and organized facility here (stop by they'll show you around), with custom-built equipment. Making good thin sections is a craft, and Dustin is top-notch!
    I recently had a rice bag full of rock samples cut and polished by Precision for Kingfisher Resources. They were done within a week and the quality exceeded my expectations by a long shot. I was particularly impressed with how the oxidized samples turned out given that they were indiscernible prior. We will be bringing in more samples for polishing as well as thin sections in the coming years.
    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2019-12-02T20:17:38+00:00
    I recently had a rice bag full of rock samples cut and polished by Precision for Kingfisher Resources. They were done within a week and the quality exceeded my expectations by a long shot. I was particularly impressed with how the oxidized samples turned out given that they were indiscernible prior. We will be bringing in more samples for polishing as well as thin sections in the coming years.
    My company has been a client of Precision Petrographics for the past year, and the customer service we have experienced to date has been nothing short of outstanding. Sue and Dustin have both been a pleasure to work with, and consistently impress with their ability to deliver high-quality results in a timely and cost-effective manner. Whether crafting polished thin sections, polished rocks for display at conferences, or simply volunteering their rock saw to help deal with stubborn boulders, Precision Petrographics has always come through for my team and I in an exceptional manner. I look forward to working with Sue and Dustin for many more years to come, and highly-recommend their services.
    Precision Petrographics
    5
    2019-12-02T20:17:55+00:00
    My company has been a client of Precision Petrographics for the past year, and the customer service we have experienced to date has been nothing short of outstanding. Sue and Dustin have both been a pleasure to work with, and consistently impress with their ability to deliver high-quality results in a timely and cost-effective manner. Whether crafting polished thin sections, polished rocks for display at conferences, or simply volunteering their rock saw to help deal with stubborn boulders, Precision Petrographics has always come through for my team and I in an exceptional manner. I look forward to working with Sue and Dustin for many more years to come, and highly-recommend their services.
    5
    11
    Precision Petrographics