BOWEN'S REACTION SERIES AND THE IGNEOUS ROCK FORMING MINERALS

Ferro-Magnesium (Mafic) Minerals

light green, glassy, often as small grains

Non-Ferro-Magnesium (Feldspar) Minerals

4

Olivine isolated Si0

Ca Plagioclase Ca/Na Na Plagioclase

dark, almost black to light gray; 90o cleavage; striations and/or irridesence

dark green/black; dull blocky; 90o cleavage

Pyroxene single chain Amphibole double chain Biotite Sheet

white; 90o cleavage; striations sometimes; appears translucent

black, shiny, elongate, crystals; 60-120o cleavage

black, very shiny, in thin very smooth sheets

white; 90o cleavage; striations sometimes; appears translucent

pink, white, greenish; two cleavages 90o; opaque

Orthoclase Muscovite
white to brassy thin sheets; clear; very smooth

glassy, clear, often appears gray in rocks; no cleavage

Quartz