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The further development of methods for the characterization of the static and dynamic properties of matter in the depths of the Earth is not a goal in itself but is crucial for pinning down the constitution of the Earth´s interior, because information gleaned from field-based geophysical measurements (such as the density distribution with depth, elasticity, electrical conductivity etc.) can only be interpreted unambiguously if high-quality data on material properties can be obtained, preferably under in-situ conditions. Improvement in precision and accuracy of the laboratory measurements and expansion into hitherto unattained regimes of pressure and temperature are therefore a constant challenge for the experimentalist. Here we report a number of newly developed techniques in the fields of mineral chemistry and physics which serve these goals.