Cart

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Visit our About Us section for additional information about our company.

What are your hours of operation?

We're open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST). Order online or request a quotation anytime. You may also fax us at 1.540.585.3012.

How long has Inorganic Ventures been in business?

We've been manufacturing standards since 1985. More about us »

Are you ISO accredited?

Yes. We carry three ISO accreditations: ISO 17034, ISO 17025, and ISO 9001.Scopes and certificates »

What countries and continents do you serve?

We service the world from our Christiansburg, Virginia manufacturing center. 

For sales and pricing outside of the US, contact a distributor in your region.

Can Inorganic Ventures send/email copies of the (M)SDS/certificate of analysis for my products?

We have recently moved to a paperless system. All product documentation can be found on our SDS/CoA Search . Direct links to product specific documentation is also available when logging into your account and reviewing the associated sales order.


My order never arrived. What should I do?

We'd be happy to track the status of your order. Contact us with your PO number and/or order number.

Account Navigation

Purchasing Questions

If your question is not answered below, contact us and we'll be happy to assist you in any matter.

Do you sell custom standards?

Absolutely. In fact, custom standards are our specialty. We'd be happy to provide you with a quotation for your application. Request a quote online or call us 1.800.669.6799 to discuss your needs.

What is your turnaround time for custom solutions?

Our turnaround time is two-day shipping for stock items and 10 days for custom solutions. These numbers may vary depending upon the nature of the request.

Can I order custom solutions online?

No, custom solutions are not available online at this time.

Which credit cards do you accept?

We gladly accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. There are no added fees for credit card transactions.

I forgot an item when I placed my order online. Can I order that item and have it shipped with my first order?

Yes. Let us know and we'll process your orders together. If possible, use the same PO number that appeared on your first order.

Can I request a specific shipping method when I order?

We will accommodate you with any method of shipment, provided the carrier accepts our products for shipment to your destination. Simply let us know your preference when you place your order.

Can I put shipping charges for an order on my own UPS or Federal Express account?

Yes. Specify your preferred method of shipment and account number when you place your order.

Minimum Stock Order Value Questions

Why is Inorganic Ventures implementing a minimum order value?

As IV has grown and order volumes have increased, it has become imperative that we find ways to be more efficient within our logistic processes. In order to continue providing our products with the same level of excellence and at a reasonable price, we are instituting a minimum stock order value policy to ensure resources are focused on meeting your needs. This policy will allow you to expedite orders through our preferred distributors, who keep our stock/catalog products on hand for the same quality service and turnaround time that you have come to expect from Inorganic Ventures. In turn, our goal as a manufacturer is to offer extended resources to this partner distribution network, which will lend us more time and resources to focus on research and development as we pursue new product lines and work to fill gaps in the analytical industry.

I already have an account setup with IV, will my order transfer to the distributor?

We have made it easy to send your order directly from Inorganic Ventures website to one of our preferred distributors. Simply add items to your shopping cart and when you’re finished select “share cart” to have the order emailed to a representative at Texas Scientific.

The products I buy are low volume or less than $200. Does this mean I can no longer buy directly from Inorganic Ventures?

You can always purchase custom standards directly from Inorganic Ventures, regardless of order volume or value. If you are purchasing stock/catalog items, we recommend reviewing your organization’s annual buying habits to determine if you can consolidate several small orders into one single PO to meet the minimum order value requirement and save on annual shipping costs. Keep in mind that our exclusive use of TCT packaging means your standards do not begin the expiration countdown until you open the sealed bag, so there is no risk of your annual order expiring before you are ready to use it. If you are still unable to meet the minimum order value requirement, please consider purchasing through one of our preferred distributors, who keep our stock products on hand for the same fast service and shipping that you have come to expect from Inorganic Ventures.

Does the MOV apply to my custom CRMs?

The MOV does not apply to your custom CRMs. Custom products are not available on the website yet but may still be quoted and ordered directly through Inorganic Ventures. Please email Info@inorganicventures.com or call our main line at 540-585-3030 to do so.

I only need one solution and cannot meet the minimum order value. What do you suggest?

You can always purchase custom standards directly from Inorganic Ventures, regardless of order volume or value. If you are ordering stock/catalog items and are unable to meet the minimum order value requirement, please consider purchasing through one of our preferred distributors, who keep these products on hand for the same fast service and shipping that you have come to expect from Inorganic Ventures.

I spend more than the minimum order value during the year. Will this be considered if placing an order below the min order value?

The minimum order value requirement applies to each individual order placed. If your organization’s annual spend is greater than the minimum order value, we strongly encourage you to think about consolidating your orders into one single PO to meet the minimum order value requirement and save on annual shipping costs. Keep in mind that our exclusive use of TCT packaging means your standards do not begin the expiration countdown until you open the sealed bag, so there is no risk of your annual order expiring before you are ready to use it.

Does the minimum order value include delivery charges?

No, the minimum order value is calculated prior to any additional shipping/delivery charges.

When purchasing through a distributor, can we still get TCT packaging?

Yes. Every product that leaves our facility (except under special circumstances) is packaged in Transpiration Control Technology (TCT). This means that when you purchase through a distributor, you will still receive your order packaged in TCT.

I have a limited list of approved vendors. What other distributors do you work with in the US?

While we recommend purchasing through our preferred distributor, Texas Scientific, we do have several other distributors in the United States. Please refer to our U.S Distributors page for information on contacting these partners.

If I am unsatisfied with an Inorganic Ventures product and need to replace a solution that is under the minimum order value do I have to spend more?

No. If you're not satisfied with your order for any reason, we'll resolve the situation in whatever way works best for you, free of charge, and the MOV will not affect you. Your order is still covered under our satisfaction guarantee: • A full refund • Complimentary technical services • A replacement item rushed to you at no cost

Technical Questions

Visit our Tech Center for a variety of technical resources, including our Interactive Periodic Table and dozens of helpful guides for spectroscopy and analytical chemistry.

How should I store your standards once they arrive?

Standards should be kept at room temperature (18 to 24°C) unless otherwise stated on the Certificate of Analysis.

My solution arrived frozen. How should I proceed?

Most standards will thaw without effecting the analytes. However, this is not true of all elements. We recommend you contact us with your solution's catalog number and we'll confirm whether it's still safe to use. If it's not, we will gladly replace it, free of charge.

What information is listed on your Certificates of Analysis?

Our ISO Guide 31-compliant certificates include certified values based on two independent methods, traceability to specific NIST SRMs and lots, trace metallic impurities listing the analytical data from all traces, plus all other mandatory information.

What is the expiration date of your standards?

Typically, our expiration dates are no greater than one year. There are many factors that prevent our scientists from endorsing an expiration beyond a year. However, we do offer a purchasing options to keep standards viable for longer than a year. Contact us for details.

What is the shelf life of your standards?

Most standards have an unopened shelf life of at least 24 months — larger bottles can last for up to 10 years or longer. However, once the bottle leaves our patented "Transpiration Controlled" storage center, the shelf life is reduced significantly. This is caused by transpiration.

What is the difference between a standard's shelf life and expiration date?

Shelf life is the amount of time that an unopened standard will last without undergoing chemical or physical changes. Expiration date refers to the amount of time that a standard should remain in use after it has been opened. More information »

Why am I getting low results for Silver (Ag)?

Try to avoid mixing Silver with Chloride. However, if your method requires an HCl matrix, do the following:

  • Keep the solution away from the light
  • Keep the HCl content as high as possible
  • Keep the Ag concentration as low as possible

Consult our Interactive Periodic Table for detailed information pertaining to every spectroscopic element.

What is the difference between Silica and Silicon?

The elemental form of Si is expressed as "Silicon". "Silica" is represented as SiO2 or Silicon Dioxide.

The main component on the (M)SDS does not match the starting material on the bottle and certificate. Why?

Oftentimes the starting material is converted chemically to another form that is listed on the (M)SDS and label. For example, the starting material for Antimony (Sb) is Sb metal. The metal is reacted with nitric acid and tartaric acid to form Antimony Tartrate. Thus, the component on the bottle and (M)SDS is Antimony Tartrate and the starting material listed on the certificate is Sb metal.

Have a question?

Share your analytical chemistry problem with our experienced team of scientists, including well-known spectroscopist Dr. Paul Gaines. Note that while we make an effort to respond to every question, customers of Inorganic Ventures are always given priority.

Ask button