The laboratory has an extensive and diverse collection of calibration standards and reference materials including more than 300 minerals, metals, and synthetic compounds. About one-third of the materials are currently prepared and available for use in two standard blocks: a general silicates block and a glasses block. Several additional mounts are being prepared: REE/Phosphates; Metals, alloys, and simple compounds; Silicate minerals; Carbonates, Halides, and Sulfates; Sulfides

General silicates block

This mount contains 82 materials, mainly natural minerals and natural and synthetic glasses. This is the primary reference block for tephrochronology.

Glass block

This mount contains 64 materials consisting mainly of glasses along with a few minerals. Several positions have been reserved for future use with additional materials.