My Macro Photography Rig

My Micro Photography Gallery

Butterfly Wings

Armenia, 12 Apr 2019

Here is a closeup of the wing of a Sunset Moth, taken using my Mitutoyo 10X objective.

I could see making prints of mosaics or collages of say, these scales from half a dozen or a dozen different subjects. Printed large in a grid on canvas. Or say, eyes (human, mammal, insect).

Crystals

Armenia, 6 Apr 2019

Crystals can be grown on a microscope slide and then photographed using polarizing filters. There is an effect called Birefringence that results in amazing patterns in some materials.

Size:

Lake Placid, 2 Jun - 4 Jul, 2019

Below are some images I have made. Most of these were taken at 20X magnification and are approx. 2 mm across. The rest were at 10X and are approx. 4 mm across. Please click on an image to enlarge it (then the browser's back button to return) or click on the Size options to the left to resize all the images. The first one on the left is presently my favorite.

Hippuric Acid

0021

0022

0023

0024

0039

0046

0041

0042

0047

0048

0040

0043

0044

0045

0080

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

0001

0002

0003

0004

0069

0070

0071

0072

0073

0074

0075

0076

0077

0078

0079

Caffeine

0033

0034

0035

0036

Adipic Acid

0053

0054

0055

0056

Urea + a callus remover

0081

0082

0083

0084

0085

0086

0087

Urea + Glycine

0088

0089

0090

0091

0092

Saccharine

0005

0006

0007

0008

GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid, an amino acid)

0009

0010

0011

0012

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

0013

0014

0015

0016

Potassium Chlorate

0017

0018

0019

0020

Aspirin

0025

0026

0027

0028

Pregnenolone

0029

0030

0031

0032

Resorcinol

0037

0038

Maleic and Salicylic Acid

0049

0050

0051

Niacin

0057

0058

0059

0060

Thioacetamide

0061

0062

Ethylparaben

0063

0064

0065

0066

0067

0068

Below is a sampling from Robert Berdan, Loes Modderman and others. None of the following photos are mine.

Boric acid and Thiocarbamide

DMSO, water, pol+ret

paracetamol

Tartrazine and Tricine. Tartrazine is bright yellow, and that is visible in pictures which are all in the green/yellow/red spectrum. Water solution, pol+ret

Saccharin, Glycin and Stevia, Pol+ret

Ascorbic acid

Paracetamol and Glycin. Pol+ret

Saccharin, Glycin and Stevia, 10x obj

paracetamol/dextrine

ascorbic acid

many people are probably thinking: stacking. But with stacking the layers of this crystals would have been lost. Without stacking you can still see that they grew on top of each other, and the image has some depth. It's Tartaric acid with Cetylalcohol.

Malic acid and L-glutamin acid

Paracetamol and Maleic acid, alcohol, pol +ret

Potassium hexacyanoferrate, Hydroquinone and Haematoxylin

Potassium hexacyanoferrate, Hydroquinone and Haematoxyli

Epson salt, water solution pol+ret

Parallell crystalforming of Thiocarbamide with some influence of Inositol, pol+ret, DF

Amino acids. Large panorama with polarized light. Olympus BH2, Nikon Plan Apo 5x, 10x projection ocular to a Canon 5DMKIII

Malic acid

Potassium hexacyanoferrate, Hydroquinone and Haematoxylin

Amoxicillin 10 x. Pol+Ret

Malic acid

Paracetamol crystals and Cetylalcohol, pol+ret , 10x obj

After looking through some old slides I found many changes in the ones that had not detoriated. This is a very old slide I made of Stevia and another brand of sweetener. The 'pointilist' appearance is new, and adds to the picture.

I just got my hands some dry l-glutamine, ascorbic acid and citric acid to try and make some crystals for polarized light. Do you have any tips on how to prepare these 3 chemicals to get some nice crystals?

Loes Modderman: I have a lot of tips. Keep your chemicals apart. All three are easily soluble in water, normal tapwater. Put half a teaspoon max in a small drop bottle or a testtube. When it is dissolved, you can put two or three drops on a slide, apart or mixed, whatever you want. Prepare your slides beforehand by washing them in plenty of soapwater and drying them between two towels. That way you can use the WHOLE slide, for drops are much harder to crystallize. Spread the drops out, and heat the slide till crystallization starts. I used to do the heating above a waxine tealight, moving gently. When crystals appear, put the slide on a cold surface, your table. Crystallization will continue. But first of all, put polarization filters in your scope!!! Coloring with any color never gives the same results. You can check out all the crystallization pictures put in this group, and read my article in MICSCAPE, May 2019, to get a lot more tips!!

Dinatriumfosfaat Hydrate

Paracetamol and Stevia, pol+ret

Ammonium sulfate, water, pol+ret

Cetylalcohol with Urea, pol+ret

Tartaric acid and Amm chloride. Amm chloride is colorless under polarized light, but tartaric acid is very colorful. So together they do nicely. Pol + ret, water solution< /div>

Alkaseltzer and Ascorbic acid

Vit C and Stevia, pol+ret, water solution

Urea and Gluconic acid in a flowery mood. Pol+ret

Vitamin C and Stevia, pol+ret, 10x objective, water solution

Paracetamol with a drop of hydrochloric acid. pol+ret

Coffeine and a drop of an energy drink, pol+ret

callus remover, thinned with aceton

Lanthanum chloride, water, pol+ret

Cetylalcohol and Paracetamol,pol+ret

Resorcinol, water solution, pol+ret

TRIS and Acetylsalicylic acid, pol+ret , water and alcohol solution

Malic acid

agricultural fertilizer, water, pol+ret

kaliumwaterstofphatalaat

Resorcinol and energy drink

Paracetamol with a drop of wodka

Na carbonate and Hydroquinone

Callus remover, unique chemical compound. Pol + ret

Progesteron, alcohol solution, pol+ret

copper sulfate

TRIS, pol+ret

Paracetamol and Cetyl alcohol, pol+ret

Caustic soda and photochemicals, water solution, pol+ret

Daphnia cyclomorphosis

ninhydrine/paracetamol

4-aminobenzoï acid

Nickel sulphate, pol+ret, water solution

Mainly Ascorbic Acid

starch in mariage with Thiocarbamide. The round forms are recognizable, but the starch is no longer starch. It depends on the chemical if the starch is 'eaten' or still separate from the crystals

potato Starch with added TRIS, crystallized, but the starch is still there, though not polarizing any more.

Paracetamol, pol+ret

Diclofenac, a medicin (pure powder) dissolved in water. Pol + ret

callus remover

Two sweeteners: Saccharin and Stevia, Pol+ret

bemegride

Callus remover

ninhydrine/paracetamol

Paracetamol with Dextrin. Pol +ret

Inositol and Thiocarbamide

Decalcifier salt, Thiocarbamide and Glycine. All dissolved in water. Pol + ret

Resorcinol shapes, pol+ret water solution

ninhydrine/paracetamol

Tricine and Extran energy drink, pol+ret

ninhydrine/paracetamol

paracetamol

Paracetamol

Tartaric acid - water solution. Made 25 years ago. Pol+ret

Glycine and Urea , from water solution mixed on the slide, pol+ret

Coffeine and Urea, pol+ret

Paracetamol, Borax, Gluconic acid, pol+ret., water solution

Manganese chloride hexahydrate, water solution, pol+ret

Glycin and Dextrine, dissolved in water. Pol+ret, about 250x

Hydroquinone and a photochemical, Alcohol dissolved, pol+ret, about 200x

Vanilla / paracetamol

Salmiak salt (ammonium chloride) and Urea, water solution, pol+ret

Vitamin C, Water solution, pol+ ret

Salicylic Acid / hydromassage

Callus remover

Paracetamol and Dextrin sulfate

Pure Paracetamol with a drop of ISOdrink, mixed on the slide, 20x objective, pol+ret,

Caustic soda and some photochemicals. Water solution, pol+ret, 150x

Resorcinol in alcohol solution, pol+ret

Decalcifier and salt

Vitamin B3

Malic acid

Na carbonate (soda, in Dutch) and Dextrine.

One of 25 years ago - Just to show that dishwashing soap (handwash) crystallizes too

Caustic soda and Dextrine, dissolved in water, pol+ret

Urea and Boric acid

Saccharine and Dextrine, pol+ret, 250x, from water solution

Saccharine and Dextrine, 250x, water solution mixed on the slide, pol+ret

Maleic acid and a sweetener (Hermesetas), water solution,Pol + Ret

Epsom salt, when it's in a ringed mood, for Magnesium sulphate has many disguises. Water solution, pol+ret

Urea and Boric acid, water slution, pol+ret

two sweeteners - Stevia and Hermesetas

Urea and Gluconic acid. Water solution, pol + ret

Tartaric acid, pol+ret, dissolved in water

Karlsbad Sprudelstein is an unusual sedimentary rock from the Czech Republic with "ooids" (coated grains) made of the carbonate aragonite. It is just fantastic under the microscope. Sample provided by Axel Munnecke. Width c. 3 mm

Urea with Gluconic acid always makes fluent shapes. Mixed on the slide, water solution, 10x objective, pol+ret

Paracetamol. Magnification 100x

Vaanille/paracetamol

Vanilla / paracetamol

Epsom salt in straight mode. There is an enormous variety in crystallizations making geometrical patterns. And all on a surface area of at most 1mm². Water, pol+ret

Maleic acid and a sweetener (Hermesetas), water solution,Pol + Ret

Vitamin B3

Dexter / paracetamol

Epsom salt and sweetener (Hermesetas), pol +ret, water solution, mixed on the slide

Fenylthioureum and Salicylic acid, from alcohol solution, pol+ret

Progesteron, in alcohol, pol + ret

artificial sweetener (Natrena in fluid form) For people who are into crystallizations: artificial sweeteners are all interesting and all different. Dissolving a tablet gives other results than fluids, even of the same brand. I have a whole battery here of at least 20 different kinds, andI use them often. Pol+retarder.

rasagiline/vitamine C

urea/glycine

Paracetamol and Dextrin sulfate

Benzoic acid and Salicylic acid

Salicylic Acid / hydromassage

health supplement (melted on slide and left to recrystallize). Polarized light, x4 PlanA objective.

Urea and Gluconic acid, water solution, Pol + ret

Vanillin. Pol

Saccharine, Stevia and Glycine, Water solution, 10x objective

Na carbonate and a sweetener (Sorbitol), water solution, pol + ret

NAC and Thiocarbamide in harmonious cooperation. From water solution, mixed on the slide, pol+ret

Gluconic acid and Glycine. Pol + ret, water solution

Do you use saturate solutions or less? Which concentration do you use (if is not a secret)? Deionized water?
Rodolfo, no secret. Plain tap water. and no, not saturated, just a little bit, half a teaspoon at most of the pure chemical dissolved in about 20ml. I never weigh or measure anything, I just make a solution and see what happens. Saturated solutions tend to become sticky before they crystallise. With my method they crystallize quickly most of the time when heated a bit, sometimes in seconds, depending on the chemical.
heating? I always thought that heat is the enemy of cristalization ...

Benzoic acid and Salicylspiritus, both in alcohol, mixed on the slide. Pol+ ret

sodioglutamate

Paracetamol with a drop of ISOdrink, mixed on the slide, 20x objective, pol+ret

Ammonium Tartrate and Acetic Acid

Inositol, water solution

Resorcinol and Gluconic acid, alcohol and water slution, mixed on the slide, pol+ retarder

Callus remover

Stevia and Saccharine, pol+ret, water solution

Urea and Gluconic acid, Water solution, pol+ret

Paracetamol, pol + ret, water solution

Salicylic Acid / hydromassage

layers of Amm sulphate and Na thiosulphate in water, pol+ret

Hydroquinone and sugar, alcohol solution, pol+ret

Epsom salt, water solution, pol+ret

Ammonium Sulphate

Urea and lactose

Ammonium Tartrate

Hydroquinone, Pol+ret, alcohol solution

Succinic acid. alcohol solution, pol+ret

Gluconic acid and Thiocarbamide, water solution, pol+ret, 150x

Bicarbonate

Rywanol

tyrminiumchlorid

Vanille

paracetamol/nicotinamide

A chemical called NAC, water solution, pol+ret

Paracetamol, pol + ret, water solution

a series of Urea and Glycine. The flowers in the tapestry come second, after the longer crystals have settled. Pol+ret, water solution, 250x

Chloramphenicol, alcohol solution, pol+ret, 150x

Acetylsalicylic acid aka Aspirin, Pol + different retarders, pure powder dissolved in alcohol

ditto

Vanilla

Callus remover

Hydroquinone crystals x 200

Hydroquinone x 200

Hydroquinone crystals x250

Silver Nitrate, 200X pol+ret

Silver Nitrate 200X pol + ret

ditto

Resorcinol and an energy drink, pol+ret, water solution

Hydroquinone crystals x250, x100 pol only

ditto

Pocket Watch Mechanism

Fenylsalicylaat and Fenylthioreum, alcohol solution

Vanilla extract

Lactic acid and sweetener (Hermesetas), water solution, heated and cooled, pol+ret

D-Aspartic acid and Glycin, water solution, pol+ret

Fenylthioreum in alcohol, with yellow retarder and pol

paracetamol and stevia sweetener, Pol+ret, alcohol and water solution mixed on the slide

Saccharin and Dextrin mixed on the slide, from water solution, pol+ret

Sorbic acid and Salicylic acid, mixed on slide, from alcohol solution

Pharmacy

sweeteners and Thiocarbamide, pol+rets, 250x

ditto

Abstract of Saccharin and Dextrin, pol+ret, dissolved in water

Urea, Xylitol and L-glutamine

L-Glutamin acid, from water solution

Ammonium thiosulphate and Na thiosulphate, dissolved in water, pol+ret

a thin section of a brazilian agate under the polarizing microscope. width c. 2 mm

Fertilizer, in water solution, pol+ret

Ascorbic acid

Graphitic Grannulite from Kerala (India), Black is graphite, colorful are feldspars. width 5,7 mm

Fertilizer

Magnesium sulphate and a water purification chemical. Pol+ret

Callus remover

Benzoëzuur Acid / Salicylic Acid

Amino acids in Isopropyl alcohol, pol/ret. 6 frame panorama of 10 images in a stack

Bath salt containing several ingredients. It's remarkable that the dendrites closely resemble the non-polarizing crystals of Na bicarbonate

4-hydrobenzoic acid propyl ester

a health product based on a sweetener, water solution, pol + retarders

levodopum/paracetamol

Pollen of a hibiscus

Benzoëzuur/salicylzuur

Copper Sulphate Alcohol Water Solution

Daphnia sp.

Inositol and Thiocarbamide in water solution, pol + ret

Pollen of a hibiscus

Inositol, water solution, pol+ret

Potassium carbonate, water solution, pol+ret

Copper Sulphate Alcohol Water Solution

Pollen of a hibiscus

fertilizer, water solution, pol + retarders

Decalcifier and soya sauce

Amino acids in Isopropyl alcohol, pol/ret. 6 frame panorama of 10 images in a stack.

Copper Sulphate

ditto

fertilizer, water solution, pol+ several retarders. 10x objective, Olympus BH-2

fertilizer

Malic acid and DL Malic acid, colored retarder and pol. Water solution

Caustic soda and a photo chemical

efedrine/paracetamol

paracetamol, pure chemical, water solution, pol+ret

Amino acid jellyfish on a slide this morning. Panorama with stacked images/ pol. and ret.

Amino acid. Panorama with stacked images/ pol. and ret.

Callus remover, pol+ret

Thiocarbamide, mostly, from water solution, pol and another retarder

An acid

Fertilizer from agricultural grains

ditto

Magnesiumnitraat

hydroquinone, from alcohol solution, 150x

n/a

Magnesium sulphate, pol + several ret, water solution. 250x

Hydroquinone with a drop of one other component, pol+ret, alcohol and water solution, 250x

Vitamin C

Hexachlorophenum

Fertilizer, Water solution , pol+ret, 250x

threo-2 amino nitrophenyl propane

levodopum/paracetamol

hydrochinon

Threo-2-amino

Paracetamol + sweetener, alcohol and water solution, Pol + ret , 100x

ascorbic acid

Lactic acid and a sweetener, water solution, pol+ret, 250x

Magnesiumsulphate, water solution

Paracetomol, x100

Menthol, x100

Menthol x80

Menthol, x150

ditto

Menthol crystals on edge. x100

Vitamin C, water solution

Magnesium sulphate, pol and yellow colored retarder combined with mica, water solution, 10x

callus remover, aceton, pol+ret, 10x

Progesteron, water solution, pol+ret

Ascorbic acid

testosteron propinate

5.5 dimethyl

I took out a two days old slide of Magnesium sulphate. When heated, a solution always bursts in some places. Those shards are blanco, but after a day or so they start showing crystals. So I took pictures of colorful shards, with a 4x and 10x objective.

ditto

Saccharine and two other chemicals from a water solution, pol+ret's

several sugars, pol+ mica and plastic ret's, water solution, 10x

5,5 dimethyl

Ascorbic acid, Just pol, no retarder. Water solution, mixed on the slide with a drop of sweetener

Nicotinamide/paracetamol

4-hydrobenzoïc acid

nicotinamide/paracetamol

Boric acid and Winestone (no, not tartaric acid), pol+ret

nicotinamide/paracetamol

Inositol and Urea, water solution mixed on the slide.

4-hydrobenzoïc acid propyl ester

Ncotinamide

L-Asparagine, forming round units in the overall pattern. Water solution, pol + ret, heated and cooled several times

Paracetamol and Menthol, alcohol solution

Boric acid and a sweetener. Sweeteners are very rewarding, and all different. I mostly use them in combinations, and always from a water solution. Polarisatie, 10x objective

Thiocarbamide and Boric acid , pol + ret, 10x objective, water solution, mixed on the slide

Several amino acids in water pol/ret pan of 6 stacked images

Paracetamol, always interesting. Pure chemical, not a pill. Alcohol solution, pol+ret's

bemegride

panthotenic

Menthol x150

Urea , saccharin and another sweetener, giving the illusion of depth. Water solution, pol+ret

ditto

Epsom salt. Water solution, pol+ret

Potassium hydroxyde, pol+ret, water solution

a mixture of two sweeteners in water solution, pol+ret

Hydroquinone and a sweetener. Alcohol and water solution, 250x, pol+ret

Paracetamol and a sweetener, water solution, mixed on the slide, heated and cooled, pol+ret, 10x

Menthol x100

Menthol x250

Inositol, pol+ret, water solution, 250x

paracetamol and a sweetener, pol+ret, alcohol solution, after heating and cooling

Nickelsulfate, water

Nickelsulfate, water solution, pol+ ret, 10x

dopamine hydrochloridum

fertilizer, pol + ret, water solution, 10x

amino acid combination. I'm still working on this one in Photoshop. I started with a panorama of six stacked images, then stacked them in Zerene stacker, then stiched them in Lightroom.

several sweeteners

paracetamol, pure chemical, pol+ret, water solution

Polystyrene deformed under polarized light

Menthol crystals x 150

Maldives acid

Urea and mostly Boric acid in alcohol

paracetamol

ninhydrin/paracetamol

paracetamol

PARACETAMOL

Paracetamol with Boric acid, pol+ ret, alcohol and water solution

components of any callus remover, but with a less striking effect. So the manufacturers of callus medicins use a secret ingredient they don't tell, or I am doing something wrong. Nevertheless, I like this one. Pol + retarders, 250x, water and alcohol solution

kaliumwaterstofphatalaat

callus remover, pol+ret, aceton added

Inositol and DMAE, water solution

Thiocarbamide and a sweetener, pol+ret, water solution

Inositol with 2 others, The flowers appeared gradually. pol+ret, 250x, water solution

Benzotriazole

Inositol with 2 others, The flowers appeared gradually. pol+ret, 250x, water solution

Paracetamol and Hydroquinone. Alcohol solution. pol+ret

nicotinamide

Benzenetriol

paracetamol and sweetener, pol+ret

Resorcinol and Malic acid, 250x, pol+ret

Pol+ret, water solution, 250x

Magnesium sulphate, pol+ret, 250x, from water solution

Testosteron propinate

callus remover thinned with aceton, pol + ret

testosteron propinate

paracetamol and sweetener, pol+ret

Menthol. pol+ret, 10x objective

Sodium thiosulphate

Testosteron propinate

several sweeteners, pol+ret, 250x, water solution

Menthol x120

Boric acid and sweetener, DF, pol+ret

Vanille/paracetamol

Stearineacid methylester

Paracetomol x100

Atropine

hydrochinon/paracetamol

dexamethason/paracetamol1

K carbonate and a few additions, pol+ret, water solution, evaporated after being heated and cooled

TRIS, among others, pol+ret

Some household- and photochemicals. Difficult to get them sharp without stacking. 10x objective, water solution, pol+ret

Aether

Ninhydrin/paracetamol

benzotriazole

several acids, pol+ret, 200x

paracetamol/menthol

DMSO with Thiocarbamide, Pol+Ret, 10x objective, Olympus BH2

a mixture of Taurine and Glutamine, pol +ret, 10x objective, water solution

several acids

Ephedrine / imiprazimi

mainly Urea and Glutamine. Pol+ret, alcohol and water solution

Callus remover and Menthol, pol+ret , Alcohol solution

noxacorn/ paracetamol

noxacorn/paracetamol

several acids, pol+ret, water solution

Urea and Salicylic acid

Resorcinol, pol+ret, alcohol solution,10x

noxacorn/paracetamol

Hydroquinone and Glycin, pol + ret, alcohol and water solution, heated

lactic acid and acetylsalicylic acid, alcohol, 10x objective, Pol

Copper sulphate, pol+ret, water solution, 10x objective

decalcifier, water solution, pol+ret

Urea and Glycin, water solution, pol+ret

callus remover recrystallized several times in aceton	Ureum, Salicylic acid and Lactic acid, water and alcohol, 4x objective, pol+ret	maleinic acid and a sweetener, in water solution	A sweetener, water solution, 10x objective, pol+ret
"Maleic acid and dextrine, pol+ret, 10x objective, Olympus BH-2 and Olympus OM D-E-M5 markII camera body with photo objective 10x in the camera adapter tube. So the magnification is at least 100x."	urea and tartaric acid, pol, no retarder, 10x objective, water and alcohol solution	Trimethyl and TRIS, water solution	Menthol, melted, with addition to counteract evaporation.Pol + ret, 10x objective
Caustic Soda and industrial salt, water solution, pol+ret	ditto	ditto	fertiliser and Tartaric acid, 20x objective, pol
guanidine	"Experimented with several kinds of artificial sweeteners today, which gave unexpected results, and disappointments too. Sometimes the producer does something to his product without consideration for crystalmakers. But this one was fine, nice patterns. Some tablets in water."	malonzuur	Maleic acid and TRIS, pol+ret , water and alcohol solution, 10x

(Lots) More ...

2-4 dichloro A	Trimethyl and TRIS, water solution	Paracetamol, Alcohol, pol+ret	Experiment with Rheinberg illumination. Saccharine and Stevia, water solution
Hydroquinone and a sweetener, alcohol + water, pol+ret, 4x	Magnesium sulfate, from water solution, pol+ret	imiprazimi	atelolum
Thiocarbamide and a fertilizer, DF, converted to monochrome. Water solution, 10x objective	ditto	ditto	Epsom salt, pol+ret, water solution, 10x objective
Paracetamol and Saccharine in water solution, pol+ret	some amino acids from a fitness supplier	thiocarbamide and trimethyl, water solution, 10x	Callus remover, acetone, 10x
TRIS, water solution, pol+ret	Benzoic acid, Salicylspiritus and Tartaric acid	callus remover in aceton. 10x objective	callus remover in aceton, pol+ret
Urea, Glycine and one other, water solution, 10x objective	Magn sulphate, water solution	Niacinamide (Vit B3) and L-Asparagine, water solution. Pol+ret, 10x objective	Vit C and Na carbonate
Citric Acid Src	Urea Src	Urea,coffee?,water Src	Niacinamide (Vit B3)
Hydroquinone,alcohol Src	Resorcinol Src	Ascorbic acid,water Src	Tartaric acid
Aspirin	Resorcinol, alcohol	Ureum, water	Urea, water
Magnesium sulphate	Paracetamol		Hydroquinone+an addition
Tartaric acid and Saccharine	Urea, Paracetamol Src	Aspirin and Paracetamol under polarized and oblique lighting Src	Tartaric acid, Dextrin
Na tetraboraat and Glycine	Paracetamol	Paracetamol	Paracetamol
Paracetamol, betamethason	Paracetamol, betamethason	Aqueous resorcinol Src	Betamethason, paracetamol Src
Resorcinol	Urea + an acid	Paracetamol + addition, alcohol	Urea + addition, water
N/A	Betamethason/paracetamol A	Barnsteenzuur	Copper Sulfate
Epsom salt Src	Epsom salt	Epsom salt	Urea
Copper sulphate, in gel	Ammonium di hydrogenfosphate	NAS	Tartaric acid
Salicillic acid and Propylhydroxybenzoate from alcohol solution	Urea and citric acid	Urea + citric acid, water solution	Na thiosulfate, water solution
Urea	Glycine	Progesteron	Tartaric acid after some time
Propylhydroxybenzoate and paracetamol	Thiocarbamide and three others, water solution	Malic acid and softener	Boric acid, mainly
Hydroquinone	Paracetamol, Alcohol solution	Progesteron
	Resorcinol M	Hydroquinone and 2 other components	Resorcinol A
Propylhydroxybenzoate	Imidiazole	Malic Acid and Ibuprofen	Atropine
		Penylephrini hydr	Efedzine / Hydroquinone
Tartaric acid and menthol	Hydroquinone and Urea	Resorcinol	Paracetamol
Paracetamol and wodka	Boric acid, Sacchanrie and at least 2 others, from water solution	4-hydrobenzoic B 2	TRIS and Glaubersalt, mainly
Oxalic acid	Tartaric acid, in water	kaliumwaterstofphatalaat A	kaliumwaterstofphatalaat
TRIS	Thiocarbamide and Rochellesalt	Mainly Acetylsalicylic acid	Resorcinol and Oxalic acid
Thiocarbamide and an industrial salt	Epsom	Recorcinol, alcohol solution	Resorcinol
"Snus is a traditional form of smokeless tobacco in Sweden. Images are an airdried water extract of a typical bergamot-flavored snus (pouch soaked in water for a few minutes). I am guessing the crystals are mainly salt. Polarized light (no retarder). Image is a stitch of 16 images. 4X objective."	"BIG crystal growth (if that's what it is on 1mm²) from Hydroquinone and a soft drink. Fascinating because they never touch other groups of similar crystals, but intrusions of a different kind are added without a problem. For people who want to learn something about crystallization !"	"The proportion of the two solutes is critical to achieving these forms - I generally start from a solution of 4:1 (v/v) of beta-alanine to l-glutamine and vary concentrations until I get something that works. Ensure that your slides are extremely clean - if they are even slightly hydrophobic the results are generally unusable."	Urea and an addition, water solution, 150x
Thiocarbamide and Rochellesalt	Hydroquinone, alcohol solution	p-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol	4-hydrobenzoic acid G
8-CHINLINOLSULFAAT	8-CHINLINOLSULFAAT	Omeprazole	3/4 hyldroxy phenyl G
Urea, Gluconic acid and an addition	Ijzermagnesiumnitraat	Resorcinol and vitamin drink	Boric acid, Sacchanrie and at least 2 others, water solution
From a garden fertilizer	Diclofenac, water solution	TRIS in water solution	Oxalic acid with resorcinol
TRIS, water solution	Resorcinol. water solution	Pyridoxin and Betaine	3/4 hyldroxy phenyl
Resorcinol, alcohol solution	Oxalic acid and an energy drink	Coffeine and Saccharine, water solution	Urea and gluconic acid
Saccharine and Dextrin, in water solution	Succinic acid and Gluconic acid, water solution	Testosteron Propinate C	Acetamide
Urea and others, water solution	Tartaric acid	From several acids	Urea
Gallic acid and Hippuric acid, water solution	A callus remover	Saccharine and Dextrin, in water solution	Resorcinol, thiocarbamide and a drink, water solution
Hydrochinon in stripes, after a drop of drink, alcohol solution	4-aminobenzoëacid	Nicotinezuur A	Na hydroxide in a special mixture, water solution
Guanidine HCL	n/a	Citric and Ascorbic Acid	Citric and Ascorbic Acid
Thiocarbamide and another component	A sheet of gelatin, stereo, 20x, multicolor filter	DL Tropiczuur A	From several acids

"Extract of white snus. White snus is based on the traditional Swedish oral tobacco product but instead of containing tobacco, it contains a gum base to which nicotine and flavours have been added (mint flavour in this case). I took one sachet of snus and allowed it to steep in a 50:50 mix of water and alcohol for 10 minutes I then filtered the liquid through kitchen towel before leaving to airdry on a slide for a week. Images are taken using x4 objective and simple polarized light (no retarder). Slide shown as well for reference."
Malic Acid + sugar	Tartaric acid, with and without retarder
3/4 hyldroxy phenyl	Benzotriazole	3/4 hyldroxy phenyl	Urea and Boric acid
Nicotinamide	Paracetamol and Salicylic acid	A "special concoction", water solution	Hydroquinon and other components, Alcohol
Resorcinol	Hydroquinone with an addition to straighten them out, alcohol and water	Hydroquinone, mostly	Saccharine, water solution
Nicotinamide	Nicotinamide A	Tartaric acid	Fertilizer, water solution
Malic Acid + sugar
Malic acid, from water solution	KA-Chloraat	"Copper sulphate, taken 5 seconds after each other. First the small crystals appear, and then a wave takes over in a second. In the meantime the crystals keep growing, as you can see in the right corner. This is typical for this chemical."
Magnesiumchloride	4-hydrobenzoic acid	Sulpher	Sulfur
Hydrochinon and glycine, alcohol solution	Progesteron, water solution	magnesium sulphate and several others	Sweeteners and Glycine
Magn sulphate, water solution	Paracetamol/vanille B	Vanilla b	Resorcinol AK
Hydroxy B	Hydroquinone and Glycine	Vanille/paracetamol D	Vitamine C/Salicylzuur
Vanille/paracetamol	Magnesiumchloride	Creatine and Na thiosulphate	Hydroquinone D
Benzotriazole	Magnesium sulphate, water solution	Antron	Bemegride
Ammonium Sulphate	Gluconic acid, water solution	p-hydroxyphenethyl A	Boric acid and another acid
Crystals that would need stacking. Combination of three colorful chemicals in water solution, 150x	Hydroquinone and Thiocarbamide	Magnesium sulphate, water solution	Hydroquinone and Thiocarbamide
Resorcinol, alcohol, 150x	Na-methoxyde	Na-methoxyde	Na-methoxyde F
Na-methoxyde C	Urea and Boric acid, water solution, 150x pol+ret	Amm thiosulphate and Na thiosulphate, water solution	Resorcinol and Tartaric acid, alcohol solution, 150x
Boric acid and Thiocarbamide	Callus remover liquid	A mixture of sugars, water solution
Boric acid and Urea, millions of little crystals popping up. Water solution	Urea and Boric acid, water solution. Less them 1mm²	Urea and some acids	Thiocarbamide and Ascorbic acid, water solution, pol+ ret , 150x
Na-methoxyde C	D-threo-2-amino	Pyrocatechine	Boric acid and Thiocarbamide, water solution, 150x
Resorcinol and Tartaric acid, alcohol solution, 150x	D-threo-2-amino.B	Gluconic acid	methoxyphenyl
Several kinds of fertilizer, water solution	D-threo.amino-1 A	Several acids	Malonic
Hydroquinone, Glycine and wodka	Oxalic acid pattern, alcohol	One of 20 years ago, from Urea , water solution	Resorcinol, alcohol solution, pol+ret, 100x

References:
   - How to Photograph the Magical Microscopic World – Photomicroscopy
   - The Art & Science of Photomicrography with Polarized Light, Dr. Robert Berdan, June 22, 2017
   - Crystals Photographed with Polarization Microscopy: Water, Beer, Caffeine, Vitamins, Amino Acids and Human Tears, Dr. Robert Berdan, March 17, 2019
   - Video: DIY polarized light microscopy of Vitamin C Crystals
   - Microcrystals and how to grow them, Loes Modderman, microscopy-uk.org
   - Facebook Amateur Microscopy post

- The Seven Most Common Grades for Chemicals and Reagents:

ACS grade meets or exceeds purity standards set by the American Chemical Society (ACS). This grade is acceptable for food, drug, or medicinal use and can be used for ACS applications or for general procedures that require stringent quality specifications and a purity of ≥95%.
Reagent grade is generally equal to ACS grade (≥95%) and is acceptable for food, drug, or medicinal use and is suitable for use in many laboratory and analytical applications.
USP grade meets or exceeds requirements of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). This grade is acceptable for food, drug, or medicinal use. It is also used for most laboratory purposes, but the USP being followed should always be reviewed prior to beginning to ensure the grade is appropriate for that methodology.
NF grade meets or exceeds requirements of the National Formulary (NF). The USP and the NF (USP– NF) jointly publish a book of public pharmacopeial standards for chemical and biological drug substances, dosage forms, compounded preparations, excipients, medical devices, and dietary supplements. The listings here should be reviewed to determine which would be considered equivalent grades.
Laboratory grade is the most popular grade for use in educational applications, but its exact levels of impurities are unknown. While excellent for teaching and training, it is not pure enough to be offered for food, drug, or medicinal use of any kind.
Purified grade, also called pure or practical grade, meets no official standard; it is not pure enough to be offered for food, drug, or medicinal use of any kind.
Technical grade is used for commercial and industrial purposes; however, like many others, it is not pure enough to be offered for food, drug, or medicinal use of any kind.

ACS, Reagent, and USP-NF grades are typically equivalent and interchangeable

FIN

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