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Atlas of Rock-Forming Minerals in Thin Section PDF
Atlas of Rock-Forming Minerals in Thin Section PDF
rock-forming mineral!
in thin section
http://archive.org/details/atlasofrockformiOOmack
Atlas of
rock-forming minerals
in thin section
Includes index.
1. Mineralogy —
Pictorial works. 2. Thin sections
— —
(Geology) Pictorial works. 3. Petrology Pictorial
works. I. Guilford, C, joint author. II. Title.
QE363.8.M32 1980b "
549M14 79-27822
ISBN 0-470 26921 9
Chloritoid 19 Talc 59
Sapphirine 20 Chlorite 60
Eudialyte 21 Serpentine 62
Zoisite 22 Prehnite 63
Epidote 23 Microcline 64
Piemontite 24 Perthite & Microperthite 65
Allanite (Orthite) 25 Sanidine 66
Lawsonite 26 Anorthoclase 67
Pumpellyite 27 Plagioclase 68
Melilite 28 Quartz 70
Cordierite 30 Myrmekite 72
Tourmaline 32 Granophyric texture 73
Axinite 34 Tridymite 74
Orthopyroxene 35 Cristobalite 75
Augite 36 Nepheline 76
Titanaugite 37 Sanidine & Nepheline 78
The purpose of this book is to illustrate the appearance of many of the who typed the not once but innumerable times, until we found
text,
common rock-forming minerals in thin section under the microscope. what we considered compromise between too detailed and too
to be a
It is not our intention that it should be used as a substitute for a brief descriptions of the photographs.
mineralogy textbook but rather as a laboratory handbook for use in We should like to thank the staff of the publishers, particularly Miss
practical classes together with one of the standard textbooks on Bobbi Gouge, for their consideration and helpfulness in the
mineralogy. preparation of this work.
The idea of producing a series of photographs of minerals in thin
section came from two sources. The son of one of the authors.
I. R. MacKenzie, then in his second year as a student of geology,
IV
Introduction
The minerals represented here are arranged in the same order in which orthogonal positions the polarizer is set in the photographs taken in
they appear in Deer. Howie and Zussman's Introduction to Rock plane-polarized light.
Forming Minerals (relevant page numbers given at the end of each As mentioned above we have quoted the numerical value of the
entry in square brackets), except for a few minerals which are not birefringence each mineral, but in the description of the
for
described by these authors, viz. deerite. howieite. zussmanite. yoderite photograph we have generally referred to the order of the interference
and lamprophyllite. The decision as to which minerals to include has colour. To enable the reader to translate birefringence to a particular
been based mainly on two considerations, firstly, how frequently they colour we have included on p. vi a photograph of a quartz wedge with
occur and secondly whether a photograph can be a useful aid in a birefringence scale along its length. This should not be used as a
identification. Michel-Levy chart since the thickness of the section is not taken into
In the headings for each mineral we have chemical formula
listed the account, it being assumed that the section is of standard thickness, viz.
(simplified in some cases), crystal system, optic sign, the values of the 3 003 mm. Thus the mineral names are reproduced against the highest-
refractive index for biaxial minerals and the u> and £ ray refractive order colour which they show in a thin section of standard thickness
indices for uniaxial minerals together with the birefringence. These rather than opposite radial lines which show the variation in colour
figures have been quoted from Deer. Howie and Zussman's book with with thickness and birefringence of the mineral as in a Michel-Levy
their permission. The rock type and locality of the specimens are chart.
quoted, where these are known, and the magnifications used in taking The faithful reproduction of the interference colours of minerals in
the photographs are given. Each photograph is accompanied by a brief wedge as seen under crossed polars, depends
thin section or in a quartz
description of the field of view illustrated but, in general, only to a large extent on the type of film used and also on the printing
properties which can be seen in the photographs are discussed. Thus process. Some of the Michel-Levy charts that have been published
we have omitted reference to optic axial angle, sign of elongation and depart slightly from the true colours and one fault which is fairly
dispersion. In most cases at least two photographs have been made for common concerns the middle of the second-order colours where a
each mineral, one in plane-polarized light and the other the same view broad band of bright green is sometimes shown between blue and
under crossed polars. If the mineral is pleochroic we have reproduced yellow. Observation of a quartz wedge under crossed polars reveals
two photographs in plane-polarized light with the polarizer in two that the second-order colour between blue and yellow is a rather pale
orthogonal positions. In the case of isotropic minerals we have tended green in contrast to the fairly deep green in the third order. Only in
to omit the view taken under crossed polars. minerals which are colourless and have negligible dispersion, is it
With few exceptions the polarizer has been set parallel to the edges possible to distinguish these two greens and even then only after
of the photograph but we have not made much use of this fact since considerable experience. In some of the photographs of minerals of
discussion of extinction angles is omitted except in the case of the moderate birefringence the edge of the crystals can be seen to be
plagioclase feldspars, because this would necessitate reproducing a wedge-shaped and thus the order of the interference colour can be
number of photographs taken under crossed polars. In order to show determined fairly readily.
pleochroism. we have used rotation of the polarizer rather than Some of the common minerals which are usually considered difficult
rotation of the stage of the microscope for two reasons. Firstly, this to identify (e.g. cordierite) are represented by more than one rock
makes it easier to compare the photographs and observe the change in section if we considered that additional photographs would give a
colour shown by any one crystal and secondly it has been done to better idea of the variations in appearance which may be expected in
encourage the use of this method for detecting weak pleochroism. different rocks or if it was impossible, in one field of view, to illustrate
Although we have adopted the procedure of retaining the thin the different properties which we wished to show.
section in the same orientation for all three photographs, this has one In a few cases the photographs taken in plane-polarized light show
disadvantage. If there are only a few crystals in the field of view, or the pale pink and green colours due to stray polarization produced in the
crystals have a strong preferred orientation in the rock section used, we photographic equipment: when such colours are present we have noted
have been unable to show the maximum change in absorption colour this in the description of the photograph.
on rotation of the polarizer through 90° since the extreme absorption
colours areshown by a crystal when its vibration directions are parallel
toand perpendicular to the polarizer. In these positions the crystal
would be at extinction when viewed under crossed polars and ideally
we wish to show the characteristic interference colours near to their
maximum intensity. We have not specified in which of the two
Birefringence chart
r 0.000
- 0.005
- 0.025 Cancrinite
Hornblende Yoderite
SECOND Tremolite-Ferroactinolite
- 0.030 Deerite
Augite Howieite
Chondrodite
- 0.035 Forsterite Lamprophyllite Prehnite Tourmaline
Allanite
1102xl0- 7 cm -
Pectolite Scapolite
- 0.040
- 0.045 Cummingtonite-Grunerite
THIRD
ORDER
Epidote Muscovite
- 0.050 Aegirine-Augite Pyrophyllite Talc
Fayalite
1652xl0" 7 cm - - 0.055
Olivine
Olivine
Mg 2 Si04 -Fe 2 Si04
Birefringence 0035-0052
cation x 43.
Olivine
Olivine
Mg 2 Si04 -Fe 2 Si04
Birefringence 0035-0052
Monticellite
CaMgSi04
Symmetry = Orthorhombic( —
RI P = 1-646-1-664
Birefringence = 0012-0020
Chondrocyte
Mg(OH, F) 2 .2Mg 2 Si04
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( + )
RI P = 1-602-1 -627
Birefringence = 0-028-0-034
Chondrodite
Mg(OH, F) 2 .2Mg 2 Si04
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( + )
RI p = 1-602-1 -627
Birefringence = 0028-0034
Zircon
ZrSiQ4
Symmetry = Tetragonal ( + )
RI 1-923- 1-960
1-968- 2015
Birefringence = 0042-0065
Sphene
CaTiSi04 (OH, F)
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( + )
RI 3 = 1-870 2034
Birefringence = 0100 0192
Garnet
(Mg, Fe, Mn) 3 Al 2 Si 3 12
almandine group
Ca 3 (Al, Fe, Ti, Cr) 2 Si 3 12
andradite group
Symmetry = Cubic
RI n = 1-714-1-887
Vesuvianite
(Idocrase)
Ca 10 (Mg, Fe) 2 Al4 Si 9 34 (OH, F)4
Symmetry = Tetragonal (
—
RI t = 1-700-1 -746
UJ = 1-703-1-752
Birefringence = 0001-0008
to a few holes in the section. Its very high relief can also be
seen against the mounting medium.
The lower photograph under crossed polars shows the
characteristic low anomalous interference colours and the
vague signs of bands in the interference colours is also a
fairly common feature of large crystals and is an
indication of zoning. There is no sign of the poor cleavage
Sillimanite
AUSiCX
Symmetry = Orthorhombic ( +
RI P = 1-658-1 662
Birefringence = 0020-0022
10
Sillimanite
Sillimanite
Al 2 SiO s
Symmetry = Orthorhombic ( +)
RI B = 1 658-1 662
Birefringence = 0-020-0-022
11
Mullite
Mullite
Al 6 Si 2 13
Symmetry = Orthorhombic ( +
r RI (3 = 1-642-1-675
Birefringence = 0012-0028
^&
\"A
$:; ^ »
9
*> i
'. f>
iV
Mullite usually occurs in very small needle-like crystals.
The upper photograph, taken in plane-polarized light,
shows mullite crystals within a large crystal of anorthite
(notice the high magnification used for this photograph).
These crystals have a very pale pink colour in this section
:" t t but the pale pink in the background is probably due to
a stray polarization. The rock is a buchite and the two very
0: dark brown patches in the field of view are of glass.
u 6 In the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars,
© the black lines parallel to the vertical edge of the
photograph are plagioclase twin lamellae in the extinction
position and in this photograph these could easily be
12
Andalusite
Andalusite
Al,SiO«
Symmetry = Orthorhombic ( —
RI p = 1-633-1 653
Birefringence = 0009-0011
Andalusite
ALSiO,
tm ims; Symmetry
RI P
=
=
Orthorhombic
1-633-1-653
( —
Birefringence = 0009-0011
Vrn^aJMH
14
Andalusite & Sillimanite intergrowth
Andalusite &
Sillimanite
intergrowth
15
Kyanite
Kyanite
Al ? SiO=
Symmetry = Triclinic ( —
RI p = 1-721-1-723
Birefringence = 0012-0016
relief compared with quartz and by the fact that the well-
developed cleavage appears very dark. It has been
suggested that the appearance of kyanite resembles a steel
ruler with black engraving marks, since the prominent
parting parallel to (001) is frequently visible almost at
right-angles to the length of the crystals.
In the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars.
the bright interference colours of the biotite contrast with
those of kyanite. Unfortunately this section is very
slightly thick so that quartz is showing a yellowish tinge
hence all the other grains are showing slightly higher
interference colours than expected: one half of a twinned
kyanite crystal shows a colour close to the sensitive tint
red. [41].'
16
Topaz
Topaz
Al 2 Si04 (OH, F) 2
Symmetry = Orthorhombic( + )
RI (3 = 1 609-1 631
Birefringence = 0008-0011
17
Staurolite
Staurolite
(Fe, Mg) 2 (Al, Fe) 9 Si4 22 (0, OH),
Symmetry = Monoclinic
(pseudo-orthorhombic) ( +
RI p = 1-745-1 -753
Birefringence = 0012-0014
18
Chloritoid
Chloritoid
(Fe, Mg) 2 Al4 Si 2 O 10 (OH)4
Birefringence = 0006-0022
19
Sapphirine
Sapphirine
(Mg,Fe) 2 Al4 SiO 10
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( — ) or ( + )
RI p = 1-703-1-728
Birefringence = 0005-0007'
colour. In this rock its high relief shows up quite well but
there are other high relief minerals in the field, viz. garnet
(large crystal at top left-hand corner of the field) and
orthopyroxene (pinkish crystals at bottom right). The
central part of the field of view is a symplectite
intergrowth of cordierite and orthopyroxene. Biotite and
quartz are the other minerals present.
Under crossed polars (lower photograph) the in-
terference colours seen in the sapphirine are influenced by
the absorption colours and the low birefringence pro-
duces anomalous blues.
Careful study of the clear areas reveals yellow pleo-
chroic haloes in the cordierite and the sapphirine crystal
in the lower left part of the field of view is surrounded by
multiply-twinned cordierite (q.v.). [57].
20
Eudialyte
Eudialyte
(Na, Fe, Ca)6 ZrSi6 18 (OH, CI)
Symmetry = Trigonal ( + ) or ( —
Rl w = 1-593 1-643
E = 1-597 -1-634
21
Zoisite
Zoisite
Ca 2 Al 3 Si 3 12 (OH)
Symmetry = Orthorhombic ( + )
RI 3 = 1-688-1-710
Birefringence = 0004-0008
22
Epidote
Epidote
Ca 2 Fe 3 Al 2 Si 3 12 (OH)
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( —
RI (3 = 1-725-1-784
23
Piemontite
Ca 2 (Mn, Fe, Al) 2 AlSi 3 12 (OH)
ygri
-
aXK v
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( +)
RI (3 = 1-750-1 -807
^S
* 1. Birefringence = 0025-0088
* * *
24
Allanite (Orthite)
Allanite (Orthite)
(Ca,Ce) 2 FeAl 2 Si 3 O l2 (OH)
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( — ) or ( + )
RI p = 1-700 1 815
25
Lawsonite
Lawsonite
CaAl 2 Si 2 7 (OH) 2 .H 2
Symmetry = Orthorhombic ( +)
RI p = 1-674
Birefringence = 0020
26
Pumpellyite
Pumpellyite
-
«S
$%$
<'
K*>
!^^V
A v
A&*
RI p = 1-675-1 -715
Birefringence = 0012-0022
:- v
The whole of view is occupied by pumpellyite except
field
for the clear areas which are voids between crystals and I R
here the high relief of the mineral shows up clearly. The
upper and middle photographs, taken in plane-polarized
light, show that the mineral is slightly pleochroic from x?
yellow to pale green and this is fairly characteristic of this
mineral - the more iron-rich specimens being more deeply
coloured. There are signs of cleavages in most of the ,
Ai<. •
' ><
27
Melilite
Melilite
Ca 2 Al 2 Si0 7 -Ca 2 MgSi 2 7
Symmetry = Tetragonal (
— ) or ( +
RI ui 669- 632
£ •658- 640
Birefringence 0000-0013
28
Melilite
Melilite
Ca,Al,Si0 7 Ca 2 MgSi 2 7
Symmetry = Tetragonal ( — ) or ( + )
RI UJ = 1-669-1 -632
= 1-658-1 -640
29
Cordierite
Cordierite
(Mg, Fe) 2 Al4 Si 5 18
• \
Symmetry = Orthorhombic — +
• V
Wi ^y
'
" RI 3 = 1-524-1-574
( ) or ( )
-" — —* /-.
€ The upper photograph, taken in plane-polarized light,
- 1
1
. ,
^ ^ shows cordierite intergrown with alkali feldspar. The
-- '
1 " •»
cordierite can be recognized in this section by its dusty
N " _^/ *
appearance whereas the feldspar is relatively clear. In
\
-
addition there are irregular cracks and veins at the edges
^
X 1 \
s of the cordierite crystals which are yellowish in colour.
These are composed of a mineral which is generally called
--
-
-
pinite and this alteration is very common in cordierite.
1 «
In the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars.
.
'- »
\ f*':'* ^
30
Cordierite
Cordierite
(Mg,Fe) 2 Al 4 Si 5 18
Symmetry = Orthorhombic ( — ) or ( + )
RI 3 = 1-524-1-574 *
= 0005-0018
Birefringence
k
seen in cordierite, is one of the most useful diagnostic 4
31
Tourmaline
Tourmaline
Na(Mg, Fe) 3 Al 6 B 3 Si 6 27 (OH, F) 4
Symmetry Trigonal (
—
RI E = 1-610-1-650
UJ = 1 635-1 675
Birefringence — 0021-0035
"T
32
Tourmaline
Tourmaline
Na(Mg, l«c) 3 Al o B 3 Si O 27 (OH, F)4
Symmetry = Trigonal ( — )
Rl E = 1-610-1 -650
= 1-635-1 675
Birefringence = 0021-0035
"
33
Axinite
Axinite
(Ca, Fe) 3 Al 2 BSi 4 15 -OH
Symmetry = Triclinic( —
RI 3 = 1-681 1-701
Birefringence = 0009-0011
'
o< .
-
34
Orthopyroxene
Orthopyroxene
(Mg, Fe)SiO,
Symmetry = Orthorhombic + or —
( ) (
Rl 3 = 1 653-1 770
Birefringence = 0007-0020
35
Augite
Augite
Ca(Mg, Fe)Si 2 O e
Symmetry = Monoclinic (
RI p = 1-670-1-741
Birefringence = 0018-0033
36
Titanaugite
Titanaugite
Clinopyroxene &
Orthopyroxene
intergrowth
38
Aegirine-augite
Aegirine-augite
(Na,Ca)(Fe,Mg)Si2 Oe
*;
m V
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( — ) or ( + )
RI p = 1-710-1-780
Birefringence - 0030-0050
39
Jadeite
Jadeite
NaAlSi 2 6
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( + )
RI p = 1-645-1 -663
Birefringence = 0012-0013
i
\
i
40
Wollastonite
Wollastonite
CaSiO.;
Symmetry = Triclinic (
—
RI (3 = 1-628-1-650
Birefringence = 0013-0014
41
Pectolite
Pectolite
Ca 2 NaSi 3 8 (OH)
Symmetry = Tnclinic( +)
RI p = 1-605 1-615
Birefringence = 0030-0-038
42
Anthophyllite - Gedrite
Anthophyllite
Gedrite
(Mg, Fe) 7 Si8 22 (OH, F)2 -
(Mg, Fe) 5 Al 4 Si O 22 (OH, F) 2
=
-
Symmetry Orthorhombic — or + : vv
j
«L^
( ) ( )
..
RI 3 = 1-605-1-710
Birefringence = 0013-0028
43
Cummingtonite - Grunerite
Cummingtonite
Grunerite
(Mg, Fe) 7 Si 8 22 (OH) 2 -
(Fe, Mg) 7 Si 8 22 (OH) 2
Symmetry = Monoclinic( + ) or ( —
RI p = 1-644-1-709
Birefringence = 0020-0045
44
Tremolite - Ferroactinolite
Tremolite -
Ferroactinolite
Ca2 Mg 5 Si 8 22 (OH, F)2
Ca 2 Fe Si 8
5 22 (OH, F) 2
Symmetry = Monoelinic ( —
RI 3 = 1-612 1-697
Birefringence = 0-017-0027
45
Hornblende
Hornblende
NaCa 2 (Mg, Fe)4 AlSi 6 Al 2 22 (OH, F)-
Symmetry Monoclinic ( — ) or ( +
RI p 1-618 1-714
Birefringence 0014-0-026
46
Hornblende
Hornblende
NaCa 2 (Mg, Fe)4 AlSi 6 Al 2 22 (OH, F) 2
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( — ) or ( + )
RI p = 1-618-1714
Birefringence = 0014-0026
47
Kaersutite
Kaersutite
NaCa 2 (Mg, Fe) 4 (Ti, Fe)Al 2 Si 6 22 (OH, F) 2
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( —
RI 3 = 1-690-1 -741
Birefringence = 0019-0083
f
It is
48
Glaucophane
Glaucophane
Nu 2 Mg,Al 2 Si 8 22 (OH) 2
Symmetry Monoclinic (
—
RI p 1-622 1-667
Birefringence 0008-0-022
es
Arfvedsonite
Arfvedsonite
Na 3 (Mg, Fe) 4 AlSi 8 22 (OH, F) :
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( —
RI 3 = 1-679-1 -709
Birefringence = 0005-0012
50
Aenigmatite
Aenigmatite
6 W 2()
Na,Kc,TiSLO
Symmetry = Triclinic ( +
RI B = 1-82
Birefringence = 0-07
51
Astrophyllite
Astrophyllite
(K, Na) 3 Fe,Ti 2 Si 8 24 (0, OH, F) 7
Symmetry = Triclinic ( +
RI P = 1-703 1-726
Birefringence = 0-06(approx.)
52
LamprophyHite
Lamprophyllite
Na3 (Ca, Fe)Ti,Si,O l4 (OH)
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( + )
RI B = 1-747-1-754
Birefringence = 0032-0035
53
Muscovite
Muscovite
KAl 3 Si 3 O 10 (OH. F),
Symmetry = Monoclinic (—
-
RI p = 1 582-1 610
=
$m
(.
Birefringence
micas. [201].
54
Biotite
Biotite
K(Mg, Fe) 3 AlSi 3 O 10 (OH, F) 2
Symmetry = Monoclinic( —
RI 3 = 1-605-1 -696
Birefringence = 004-008
55
Biotite
K(Mg,Fe) 3 AlSi 3 O 10 (OH,F) ;
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( —
RI p = 1-605 1-696
Birefringence = 004-008
56
Stilpnomelane
Stilpnomelane
K(Fe, Mg, Al).,Si 4 O I0 (O, OH) r 3H 2
- * A i
Ml
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( —
RI (3 = 1-576 1 745
Birefringence = 0030-0110
57
Pyrophyllite
Pyrophyllite
AlSi 2 5
(OH)
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( —
RI p = 1-586-1-589
Birefringence = 0050
&
r>*: *
V
58
Talc
Talc
M gj Si4 O, (OH) 2
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( —)
RI p = 1 589-1 594
Birefringence = 005
59
Chlorite
Chlorite
(Mg,Fe,Al) l2 (Si,Al) 8 O 20 (OH)„
Symmetry Monoclinic( + ) or (
RI p 1-57-1 67
Birefringence 000-001
60
Chlorite
Chlorite
(Mg,Fe,Al) 12 (Si,Al) 8 O 20 (OH) u>
Symmetry = Monoclinic( + ) or ( —
A.
RI 3 = 1 57-1 67 |
>j$
Birefringence = 000-0 01
** /
In the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars, ^"^,
the low grey and anomalous brown colours are character- V
'* "^
istic
some crystals.
The mineral with which the chlorite is intergrown is
veins. [231]. •.
-<(""*
* y^^~pS£3F WT^
61
Serpentine
Serpentine
Mg3 Si 2 5
(OH)4
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( —
RI 3 = 1-54-1-566
Birefringence = 0-004-0-017
62
Prehnite
Prehnite
Ca 2 Al 2 Si 3 O 10 (OH) 2
Symmetry = Orthorhombic ( +
RI 3 = 1 615-1 642
Birefringence = 0022-0035
63
Microcline
Microcline
KAlSi 3 8
Symmetry = Triclinic ( —
RI p = 1 518
Birefringence = 0007
microcline.
The twin lamellae in the microcline are most sharply
defined close to the albite veins and they are of variable
width. This mineral should not be confused with
anorthoclase (q.v.). [285].
64
Perthite & Microperthite
Perthite &
Microperthite
(K, Na)AlSi 3 8
65
Sanidine
Sanidine
(K, Na)AlSi 3 8
Symmetry = Monoclinic( —
RI 3 = 1-522-1-528
Birefringence = 0-006-0007
66
Anorthocic.se
Anorthoclase
(Na, K)AlSi 3 8
Symmetry = Triclinic( —
RI B = 1-528 1-532
67
Plagioclase
Plagioclase
*3 W 8
NaAlSi,0 2 gl 2 v 8
R -CaAl,Si,0.
Symmetry = Triclinic ( + ) or ( —
RI B = 1-532-1-585
Birefringence = 0007-0013
68
Plagiociase
Plagioclase
NaAlSUO„-CaAl
M'-'H SbO
? kJ,
2 2 v, 8
Symmetry = Triclinic ( + ) or ( —
RI 3 = 1-532-1-585
Birefringence = 0007-0013
69
Quartz
Quartz
SiO,
Symmetry = Trigonal ( + )
RI ui = 1-544
E = 1-553
Birefringence = 0009
groundmass material.
In the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars,
some crystals show the white interference colours
characteristic of crystals cut nearly parallel to the optic
axis. Signs of a yellowish interference colour is an
indication that the thin section is slightly too
thick. [340].
70
Quartz
Quartz
SiO,
Symmetry = Trigonal ( + )
RI w = 1-544
E = 1-553
Birefringence = 0009
is fairly common
in deformed rocks. Closer inspection of
this view reveals that, at the top right corner and the
bottom left corner of the field of view, there are regions
which differ in that the crystals have dark borders and
dark veinlets penetrating into the crystal: at the left-hand
bottom corner there are signs of twin lamellae in one of
the crystals. These are cordierite crystals and they have
been included in this field of view to show that the relief
and birefringence of cordierite may, depending on its
composition, be very similar to that of quartz but can be
distinguished by signs of alteration to pinite at the edges
of the cordierite grains. [340].
Myrmekite
72
Granophyric texture
Granophyric texture
-*-
m
«
.< *
73
Tridymite
Tridymite
SiO-
Symmetry = Orthorhombic ( +
RI p = 1-470-1 -480
Birefringence = 0002-0004
74
Cristobaiite
Cristobalite
SiO.
Symmetry = Tetragonal ( —
Rl Z = 1-484
OJ = 1-487
Birefringence = 0003
75
IMepheline
IMepheline
NaAlSiO,
Symmetry = Hexagonal (
—
RI E = 1-526-1-542
U) = 1 529-1 546
Birefringence = 0003-0005
76
IMepheline
IMepheline
NaAlSiQ4
Symmetry = Hexagonal ( — )
RI E = 1-526-1 542
= 1-529-1-546
Birefringence = 0003-0005
'
77
Sanidine & IMepheline
Sanidine &
IMepheline
78
Le ucite
Leucite
KAlSi,0 ()
79
Nosean
Nosean
6NaAlSi04 -Na 2 S04
Symmetry Cubic
RI n 1-495
80
Cancrioite
Cancrinite
6NaAlSi04 .Na 2 C0 3
Symmetry = Hexagonal ( —)
RI £ = 1-503
UJ = 1 528
Birefringence = 0025
81
Scapolite
Scapolite
3(NaAlSi 3 8 >NaCl-3(CaAl 2 Si 2 8 >CaCo 2
Symmetry = Tetragonal ( —)
RI C 1-540- 1-564
UJ 1-546- 1-600
Birefringence = 0005-0038
82
Anal site
Analcite
NaAlSi,0 .H 2 ()
Symmetry = Cubic
RI n = 1-479 -1-493
83
Corundum
Corundum
A1,0
2^3
Symmetry Trigonal (
—
RI E = 1-760-1-763
U) = 1-768-1-772
Birefringence = 0008-0009
84
R«J? !e
:
Rutile
no,
Symmetry = Tetragonal ( +
RI UJ = 2-605-2-6 13
C = 2-899-2-901
Birefringence = 0-286-0-296
Tt
<*
y> V
5*.
'£*
fi
85
Perovskite
Perovskite
CaTiO,
RI n = 2-30-2-38
86
Spine!
Spinel
(Fc, Mg)Al 2 4
Symmetry = Cubic
RI n = 1-719 1-835
87
Brucite
Brucite
Mg(OH) 2
v RI U) = 1-560-1 -590
C = 1-580 1-600
Birefringence = 0012-0020
V \ ^s
*.
59$
Specimen from brucite marble,.Ledbeg, Assynt, Scotland.
magnification x 72.
88
CtsJcJte
Calcite
CaCO,
ti -w
^^-K'--l
Symmetry = Trigonal (
RI E = 1-486 1
w = 1-658 i
Birefringence = 0172
1
Most of the field of view is occupied by calcite and the
i !
\
and is most easily seen by rotating the polarizer as has
been done here. Because of the perfect rhombohedral
cleavage most crystals show at least one good cleavage.
Under crossed polars (lower photograph) the in-
terference colours can be seen to be of very high order:
this section may be slightly less than the normal 003 mm
in thickness since in sections of standard thickness the
interference colour produced is a high-order white.
Twinning can be seen in a few crystals and this can be
useful in distinguishing calcite from dolomite
(q.v.). [476].
89
Dolomite
"I Dolomite
CaMg(C03 )2
Symmetry = Trigo
RI E = 1-500
"' QJ = 1-679
Birefringence = 0179
.h&
90
DoSo
Dolomite
CaMg(C03 ) 2
Symmetry = Trigonal (
— )
RI C = 1-500
UJ = 1-679
Birefringence = 0179
91
Apatite
Apatite
Ca 5 (P04 ) 3 (OH, F, CI)
Symmetry = Hexagonal
^^-^ (
RI Z = 1-624-1-666
= 1-629-1-667
i
Birefringence = 0001-0007
92
Flu-,
Fluorite
CaF,
Symmetry = Cubic
RI n = 1-433 1-435
c jfe^.i ;•;
^^
^
Upper specimen from cryolite deposit, Ivigtut, West
Greenland; magnification x 32. Lower specimen from
granite, Rostowrack, Cornwall, England; magnification
x 44. f**
93
Deerite
Deerite
2 ~
Fef2 Fe 6
?
Si 12 O40 (OH) ]0
Symmetry = Monoclinic
RI P = 1-85
94
Howieite
Howieite
Na(l c, Mn) 10 (Fe, Al),Si 12 (0, OH)
Symmetry = Triclinic (
— )
RI B = 1-720
Birefringence = 0033
95
Zussmanite
Zussmanite
| K(Fe, Mg, Mn) 13 Al 2 Si 17 (0, OH) 56
Symmetry = Trigonal (
— )
RI E = 1-623
u = 1-643
Birefringence = 0020
stilpnomelane.
96
Yoderite
Yoderite
Al 3 MgSi 2 8 (OH)
Symmetry = Monoclinic ( +)
RI p = 1691
Birefringence = 0026
Specimen from quart z-k van ite- talc schist, Mautia Hill,
Tanzania; magnification x 32.
97
Index
Anthophyllite 43
Hornblende 46-7 Quartz 70 1
Apatite 92
Howieite 95
Arfvedsonite 50
Rutile 85
Astrophyllite 52
Idocrase 9
Augite 36-7
Sanidine 66. 78
Axinite 34
Sapphirine 20
Jadeite 40
Scapolite 82
Biotite 55-6
Serpentine 62
Kaersutite 48
Brucite 88
Sillimanite 10-11 15
Kyanite 16
Sphene
Calcite 89
Spinel 87
Lamprophyllite 53
Cancrinite 81
Staurolite 1£
Chlorite 60-1
Lawsonite 26
Stilpndmelane 5"
Leucite 79
Chloritoid 19
Chondrodite 4-5
28-9 Talc 59
Melilite
Cordierite 30-1 Topaz
Microcline 64 1
Myrmekite 72
Deerite 94 Vesuvianite 9
Nosean 80 Wollastonite 41
Epidote 23
Eudialyte 21 Olivine 1-2 Yodcrite 97
Orthite 25
Fayalite 1.2 Orthopyroxene 35 Zircon 6
Ferroactinolite 45 Zoisite 22
98
Atlas of
rock-forming minerals
in thin section
University of Manchester.
JSES&i