Refractive indices of some embedding media
| Embedding medium | Refractive index |
| water | 1.3381 |
| immersion oil | 1.518 |
| 90% glycerol | 1.46 |
| Vectashield | 1.457 |
| DPX | 1.5251 |
| glycerol, water-free (MERCK) | 1.4740 |
| Embedding medium | Refractive index |
| water | 1.3381 |
| immersion oil | 1.518 |
| 90% glycerol | 1.46 |
| Vectashield | 1.457 |
| DPX | 1.5251 |
| glycerol, water-free (MERCK) | 1.4740 |