Instructions for Base Kit.

PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM BEGINNING TO END
BEFORE STARTING THE IMPRESSION PROCESS.

You may also download a PDF version of these instructions.

Determining the size of the base and where to make the impression:

• When determining the size of the base, it is important to make sure you hold your specimen and Illustration #1 or 2 so they both are facing you.
• Each square area on Illustration #1 and 2 represent a base’s dimensions (2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, 7x7, 8x8, 9x9, and 10x10 thru 14). The thinner lines on the illustration within each square area represent the base’s bevel. (The bevel is the top slanted edge of the base).
• In order to judge which size base will be most suitable for your specimen, hold the specimen above Illustration #1 or 2 as if the specimen were being displayed on a base of that size. Choose which size base will fit your specimen best. For example if you choose a 2x2 base, the specimen should display properly when you hold it above the 2x2 area in Illustration #1. Or if you choose a base that is 3x6, use the illustrations accordingly, positioning your specimen so that it fits within the area you intended.
• Please write the final size you decide you would like for your specimen, length, width and thickness on the lid of the kit. Standard thickness is 1.25” thick, if you know you want a thicker base from the onset, just write down that size and we will use that thickness when making your base. If you are unsure if the impression you created will fit in a 1.25” thick block, or if it will require a thicker block, do not worry we will determine that when the laser scans the impression and if a thicker block is required we will inform you.  

NOTE: If your specimen sits on any of the thinner lines in Illustration #1or 2, your specimen will sit on the beveled area in the actual base. You can choose to leave it or go to the next size base. If your specimen extends over any of the solid lines in an area, you MUST choose a larger base.
Making the impression

• Now that you have chosen which size base to use, you should remove the lid of the kit. At all times, the kit should be on a hard, flat surface and the front of the kit should face you. The front of the kit is labeled “FRONT” on the kit.

NOTE:  You should avoid unnecessarily touching the foam in the kit. Unnecessarily touching the foam, can make impressions on the foam which can also be cut onto the final base for your specimen. THE FOAM IS VERY SENSITIVE.  If you make an accidental impression on the foam, circle the area with a pen and draw an ‘X’ in the circle. This will tell us you made an error and do not want the circled area to be cut into your final base.

• The lines on the foam represent the same size bases as in Illustration #1 and 2 without the thinner lines marking the beveled areas. These lines are the exact size of the base.
• Hold your specimen above the base size you have chosen.
• Position the specimen the way it should be displayed on the base.
• Determine how deep you want your specimen to sit in the base.
• With even pressure and in one motion, press your specimen straight down into the foam to the desired depth leaving the specimen resting in the foam. Never allow the specimen to enter the foam on an angle. Always insert and remove the specimen either straight down or straight up.

NOTE:  While specimen is resting in the foam, do not attempt to readjust its position in the foam.

• If you wish to make the specimen sit deeper in the foam, you may apply even pressure and gently press the specimen further downward. Be sure to move downward only. Movement in any other direction will result in an un-useable impression.
• Be sure that you have pressed the specimen deep enough into the foam so it will stay in place without being supported by your hand. If while releasing the specimen you feel it will not remain in the place you positioned it, you may have to do one of two things:

• Press the specimen deeper into the foam until it will remain in place, so long as you have not exceeded your desired display view or hidden a part of the specimen you wish to remain in view. If pressing the specimen deeper will hide a display area then your specimen will require supports.
• If a support is required, while the specimen is in the foam being supported by your hand, mark an area in the foam using the point of a pen behind the specimen so that we can make a custom support prop to stabilize your specimen in its final base. Be sure to write on the top of the lid of the kit the height and thickness of the support required. For example: 2” prop with a ½ diameter. Any height prop can be made, and when writing the height on the lid as close an approximation as possible with respect to that height is fine. Diameters available are 1/4”,  3/8” 1/2“ , 3/4”.   
• NOTE:  If this is the first time you are making an impression that requires a support prop, please contact us at 732-525-0999 and speak to one of our consultants for assistance.

• Take a photo of your specimen resting in the foam. Digital photos are preferred and can be emailed to finemineralbases@aol.com. You should include the kit number in your email. The kit number is located on the top lid of the kit. If you can’t send a digital photo, send a physical photo with the return of the kit and mark the photo with the kit number.

Removing your specimen from the foam and finishing the kit

• Use your thumb to hold one of the front corners of the foam and kit while you are removing your specimen from the foam. This will ensure the specimen will be removed cleanly from the foam. Don’t worry about leaving a small thumb impression on the front corner of the foam.
• Grasp your specimen with one hand and lift it straight up and out of the foam in one motion.
• Once your mineral has been removed from the foam, do not attempt to improve your impression by re-inserting the mineral in the same impression.
• If you have chosen to have your base engraved, there is a sticker located on the top lid of the kit. While the lid is off the kit, write exactly what information you want engraved on the base. *The base engraving will be done exactly as printed on the sticker. Fine Mineral Bases will not be responsible for any engraving errors resulting from incorrect information you have supplied.*
• Place the lid on the kit.

Shipping and returning of kit.
Using the shipping box the kit arrived in, re-pack the kit safely inside and send  to:

Fine Mineral Bases, LLC
2045 Route 35 South, Suite 106,
South Amboy, NJ  08879

Illustration #1

  Illustration # 2