Micromount Boxes - Protecting Tiny Treasures
Mineral Matters #200
There are no standard sizes for micromount boxes, or thumbnail boxes for that matter.
Different boxes are used as “standard-sized” in different parts of the world. Some of that comes down to availability and price.
Personally, I have a bit of a mix, although I do have a preference for ones that used to be available here in Australia (“Barkla Boxes” - I just made that up! Sorry Mike!), but are no longer available.
I have some boxes that have originated in America, the UK, Europe, and elsewhere. These have come through purchases and trades. But ideally, I feel that you should have some consistency.
So looking at what is, or could be, available, I have come up with this list (comparing in US Dollars for consistency). Prices are also dependent on quantities.
Boxes that are similar to the ones that used to be available locally - I have launched a Go Fund Me fundraiser to help defray the cost of getting a new mould made. I believe that I have a good option via the people that used my photo that I reported on a couple of days ago. I expect that the price per box should be around $0.30. Specifications will be a two part friction fit box approximately 27x27x24mm external dimensions, with acrylic thickness of 1.5mm.
European boxes - there are a number of styles available such as the ones at Mikon. All of the ones available there are 28x28x22mm and thinner acrylic. The more solid ones work out to be just under $0.30 each, with flimsier ones costing as little as $0.12 each. A downside for me is that all of these have the lid fitting over the top of the base, not flush.
European boxes - From Kranz, 26x26x26mm external dimensions, and the closest to the Australian ones. Priced at $0.29 each. The one thing I don’t like about this box is that the base isn’t flat, and fixing labels to it is a challenge.
European boxes where the lids fit inside the (deep) base, 28x28x22mm, 1mm thick acrylic. These tend to be very fragile in my opinion. I probably have as many damaged ones as I have undamaged. Not tall enough for me. From Bodemschat in the Netherlands for $0.15 each.
US boxes - Sean Sok supplies Althor-style boxes, 25x25x19mm, for $0.50 each, with optional black card inserts. These are the defacto standard for US micromounts. Too small for me. Sean is looking to provide another style soon that is similar to the Kranz boxes.
New Zealand - Rod Martin uses 30x30x20mm ones from Southeast Asia that come in at around $0.15 each. Not tall enough for me.
European ones used by Richard Bell (UK) for his collection, from Bodemschat in the Netherlands, 26x26x26mm for $0.15 each.
In summary, the only option that I would consider for currently available boxes, is the Kranz one. But once I have arranged for a new mould, I will only be buying those ones.
So please consider helping with my fundraiser. Every contribution, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.
Boxes will be made available at cost to anyone that helps to fund this venture.
A perfectly organized drawer, like an aesthetic mineral, is a wonder! "The eye looks for design." is from an art book I read once. So true.
I do what you do to a small part of my collection. The rest is too hodgepodge. And I move too often...