David Thickett, C. Harvey, I. Bargagli, and F. Gherardi
Abstract
Detailed methods have been published to identify individual glass and stone objects that are unstable and require tighter environmental control. These use ion chromatography and non invasiveFourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), which are not universally available within conservation. The more available method using scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) has been tested for these applications. Colorimetric spot tests can be used by anyone and ones for sodium and potassium and the amount of swelling clay present have been assessed. The methods work, but require adaptions to the published methodology. The swelling clay test, needs sampling of stone, avoided with the FTIR.