This clear and concise book assists learners as they look at thin sections. It focuses on the practical, need-to-know information absolutely necessary for work in the laboratory.KEY TOPICS Chapter topics cover: what is light?, polarization of light and the polarizing microscope, the velocity of light in crystals and the refractive index, interaction of light and crystals, other mineral characteristics in thin sections, and a detailed mineral description.MARKET: For individuals interested in mineralogy and/or petrology.

For courses in Optical Mineralogy, Mineralogy, Crystallography, Petrology, and Petrography; and for routine petrographic work in the lab.

This clear and concise text assists students as they look at thin sections. It focuses on the practical, need-to-know information absolutely necessary for work in the laboratory.

I. THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS.

What Is Light?
Polarization of Light and the Polarizing Microscope.
The Velocity of Light in Crystals and the Refractive Index.
Interaction of Light and Crystals.
Other Mineral Characteristics in Thin Sections.

II. IDENTIFYING MINERALS IN THIN SECTION.

Detailed Mineral Description.
Appendix A: Common Opaque Minerals.
Appendix B: Isotropic Minerals Ordered by Refractive Index.
Appendix C: Uniaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index.
Appendix D: Biaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index.
Appendix E: Minerals Ordered by Interference Colors and Sorted by Optic System and Optic Sign.
Appendix F: Alphabetical List of Minerals and Mineral Properties.
Color Photographs.
Mineral Index.