The use of replica techniques for the scanning electron microscopy of precious artifacts offers several advantages: i.e. (a) the object is too valuable for direct examination; (b) the object is too large for SEM examination; (c) the object cannot be sampled; (d) the object is in the field. Combinations of nine materials for negative and positive replication were tested and compared on the basis of their ability to reproduce a stainless steel test surface consisting of Knoop impressions, grooves, ridges and flne scratches. Materials tested were: Impregum, Citricon, Acetate tape, Polysulfide, Reprosil, Xantopren Blue, Oxy-Dent, Spurr low viscosity embedding medium, Stycast. -- AATA