Amber Listserv / Ambersafari 2008

[Hans Henderickx]

Canadabalsam in combination with cover glass is used to preserve smalles slices of all kinds of microscopical preparations, as slices of amber. It must not be in contact with air, but is a good interface with glass (breaking index near 1) and preserves for many years. It colors somewhat yellow-brown after a long time, and becomes britle if in contact with air (only the edges of the preparation glass). It is however generally accepted as a good preservation for small preparations, since it can be dissolved in xyleen again, wile epoxy two component is non-reversible and can never be dissolved.

Amber and copal should be closed off from air, dehydration and light, that is the most important goal. Glass clear epoxy can do this very well and is extremely strong, but also embedding in blocks of plexy (Hoffeins) is ok, as well as coating with Polyurethanharz (Carsten Gröhn) or embedding in Canada balsam (smaller slices). 

Hans Henderickx

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: TOM BUCKLEY 
  To: JOHN FUDALA ; amber at ambericawest 
  Cc: amber group 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:22 AM
  Subject: Re: Amber Listserv / Ambersafari 2008


  John,

      As always, you lead the most glamberous life of this bunch. One question.....I thought Lebanese amber was preserved using the 2-part epoxy and vacuum system? What this about using Canadian Balsam and glass? Sounds a bit easier.

  Tom
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://ambericawest.com/pipermail/amber_ambericawest.com/attachments/20080326/b1490fe0/attachment.html