Four Natural Chromite Reference Materials for the Determination of the First‐Row Transition Elements and Gallium by LA‐ICP‐MS

Four natural chromite samples (LBS13‐04, LBS13‐06 and LBS13‐13) from the Luobusa ophiolite (China) and 16SW2‐6 from the Stillwater Complex (USA) were developed as reference materials for in situ element microanalysis. Approximately 8 g of chromite fragments with grain sizes of 0.5–1.5 mm from each chromite sample were separated under a binocular microscope and analysed by EPMA, XRF, LA‐ICP‐MS and solution nebulisation ICP‐MS techniques for major and trace elements at six laboratories. The results show that the four chromite samples are homogeneous with respect to MgO, Al2O3, Cr2O3, FeO, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Ga. These samples are thus suitable to be used as reference materials for in situ microanalysis. Key Points New chromites have been identified as potential natural reference materials for trace elements analysis by LA‐ICP‐MS. The first‐row transition elements and gallium in the chromite RMs are homogenous and stable based on a large number of LA‐ICP‐MS measurement results. These RMs are expected to contribute significantly in the determination of trace elements in chromite in the near future.