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 Post subject: refractometer oil- is all this stuff created equal
PostPosted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:21 pm 
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So I see refractometer oil priced from 2 vials for $26 to over one hundred dollars for a single vial the same size.
I can just picture some kid in China dipping these vials into an unflushed toilet or barrel of industrial waste before sealing them up.

So how do you know where to get it from? I attended a gem/mineral show this weekend (Costa Mesa, CA) and asked one of the jewelers where she bought her RI oil. It may have been my imagination, but I thought I saw her nose lift slightly when she replied "GIA".


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 Post subject: Re: refractometer oil- is all this stuff created equal
PostPosted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:51 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
Posts: 21602
Location: San Francisco
May I suggest Cargille:
http://www.cargille.com/gemliq.shtml


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 Post subject: Re: refractometer oil- is all this stuff created equal
PostPosted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 10:42 pm 
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They aren't all made equal, in that some have a higher RI than others, or rather some of the cheaper ones might have a slightly lower RI which reduces your range of readable RIs. It's a relatively small expense to get the good stuff (and Cargille is a or the name brand in this arena), and you can also be sure it'll be what it says on the label (which is certainly a potential concern with no-name materials).

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 Post subject: Re: refractometer oil- is all this stuff created equal
PostPosted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 11:15 pm 
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Third recommendation for Cargille. Noticeably better than the cheap stuff.


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