A Practical Introduction To Optical Mineralogy

Microscopy is a servant of all the sciences, and the microscopic examina tion of minerals is an important technique which should be mastered by all students of geology early in their careers. Advanced modern text books on both optics and mineralogy are available, and our intention is not that this new textbook should replace these but that it should serve as an introductory text or a first stepping-stone to the study of optical mineralogy. The present text has been written with full awareness that it will probably be used as a laboratory handbook, serving as a quick reference to the properties of minerals, but nevertheless care has been taken to present a systematic explanation of the use of the microscope as well as theoretical aspects of optical mineralogy. The book is therefore suitable for the novice either studying as an individual or participating in classwork. Both transmitted-light microscopy and reflected-light microscopy are dealt with, the former involving examination of transparent minerals in thin section and the latter involving examination of opaque minerals in polished section. Reflected-light microscopy is increasing in importance in undergraduate courses on ore mineralisation, but the main reason for combining the two aspects of microscopy is that it is no longer acceptable to neglect opaque minerals in the systematic petrographic study of rocks. Dual purpose microscopes incorporating transmitted- and reflected-light modes are readily available, and these are ideal for the study of polished thin sections.

Microscopy is a servant of all the sciences, and the microscopic examina tion of minerals is an important technique which should be mastered by all students of geology early in their careers. Advanced modern text books on both optics and mineralogy are available, and our intention is not that this new textbook should replace these but that it should serve as an introductory text or a first stepping-stone to the study of optical mineralogy. The present text has been written with full awareness that it will probably be used as a laboratory handbook, serving as a quick reference to the properties of minerals, but nevertheless care has been taken to present a systematic explanation of the use of the microscope as well as theoretical aspects of optical mineralogy. The book is therefore suitable for the novice either studying as an individual or participating in classwork. Both transmitted-light microscopy and reflected-light microscopy are dealt with, the former involving examination of transparent minerals in thin section and the latter involving examination of opaque minerals in polished section. Reflected-light microscopy is increasing in importance in undergraduate courses on ore mineralisation, but the main reason for combining the two aspects of microscopy is that it is no longer acceptable to neglect opaque minerals in the systematic petrographic study of rocks. Dual purpose microscopes incorporating transmitted- and reflected-light modes are readily available, and these are ideal for the study of polished thin sections.

This book is the successor to A practical introduction to optical mineralogy, which was written in the early 1980s, and published by George Allen & Unwin in 1985. Our intention, once again, is to introduce the student of geology to the microscopic examination of minerals, by both transmitted and reflected light. These techniques should be mastered by students early in their careers, and this text has been proposed in the full awareness that it will be used as a laboratory handbook, serving as a quick reference to the properties of minerals. However, care has been taken to present a systematic explanation of the use of the microscope, as well as to include an extended explanation of the theoretical aspects of optical crystallography in transmitted light. The book is therefore intended as a serious text that introduces the study of minerals under the microscope to the intending honours student of geology, as well as providing information for the novice or interested layman.

This early work on mineralogy and petrography is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It contains details on polarizing microscopes, mineral determination, igneous rock types, geological mapping and much more. This is a fascinating work and is thoroughly recommended for anyone interested in geology. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This early work on mineralogy and petrography is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It contains details on polarizing microscopes, mineral determination, igneous rock types, geological mapping and much more. This is a fascinating work and is thoroughly recommended for anyone interested in geology. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

The purpose of this book is to serve the needs of students in learning the procedures and theory required to use the petrographic microscope. In the second edition the book has been updated and there has been a number of changes.

This introductory text deals in detail with the main optical properties of rock-forming minerals that can be recognized under the microscope. Written specifically with the needs of the student in mind, it provides a firm foundation upon which to base more advanced studies of mineral associations and paragenesis, their chemistry and other parameters. It encompasses both the silicate and non-silicate minerals, translucent and opaque, thereby making it useful in studies of ore minerals as well as the more common rock-forming varieties.; The treatment systematically discusses what the optical properties are and how the student can recognize them in laboratory studies. The theory of transmitted- and reflected-light optics is dealt with in considerable detail, so that the precise nature of an optical property can be understood. Diagrams of the optically more complex minerals accompany their descriptions, and these serve to simplify the relationship between the optical properties and the crystallography of a particular mineral. Rarer minerals are also included. Each mineral description is accompanied by a brief synopsis of the mineral's occurrence: in which rocks it is found and which other minerals are associated with it.; Diagrams and summary tables of mineral properties are provided in the appendices.; Complete with four pages of full-colour illustrations, this thoroughly revised and extensively rewritten successor to "A Practical Introduction to Optical Mineralogy" has been completely updated and significantly improved, with a greatly increased range of minerals covered, a complete rewriting of the introductory chapter, and an extensive revision and enlargement of the theory chapters.; "Colin Gribble is a Senior Lecturer and Allan Hall a Lecturer in the Department of Geology and Applied Geology at the University of Glasgow.."; This book is intended for undergraduate students taking a course on optical mineralogy in departments of geology or Earth sciences.