Atlas of rock-forming minerals in thin section “ W.S.MacKenzie and C. GuilfordContents Preface iv Insroduction Brfringence chart vi Olivine Monticellite 3 Chontrodite 4 Ziwon 6 Sphene 7 Garnet 8 Vewwvanite (Moerase) 9 Silimanite 10 Mullite 12 Andatusice 13, Andalusite & Sillimanite intergrowth 15 Kyanite 16 Topaz 17 Staurolite 18 Chloritoid 19 Sapphirine 20 Eudialyte 2 Doisite 22 Epidoe 25 Piemontite 24 Allanite(Orthite) Lawconite 26 Pumpellyite 27 Malte 28 Cordierite 30 ourmaline 32 Axinite 3 Orthapyroxene 35 Avge 36 Tinavgite 37 Glinopyroxens & Orthopyroxene imergrowth 38 Acgirineaugite 39 Jadeite 40 Wollastonite 41 Pectolite 42 Anthophyllite- Gedrite 43, Cummingtonite Grunerite 44 Tremolite Ferroaetinolite 45 Hornblende 46 Kaersutite 48 mucophane 49 Arfvedsonite 50 ‘Acnigmatite 51 Astrophyllite 52 Lamprophyllite 53 Muscovite $4 Biotitle $5 Stilpnomelane 57 Pyrophyllite 58 Tale 59 Chorite 60) Serpentine 62 Prehnite 63 Microcline 64 Perthite & Mieroperthite 65 Sanidine 66 Anorthoclave 6? Phigivelase 68 Quart, 70. Myrimekite 72 Granophyrictexture 73, Tridymite 74 Cristobatite 75 Neplieline 76 Sanidine & Nepheline 78 Leucite 79 Nosean 80 Canerinite $1 Scupolite 82 Analcite 83 Corundum $4, Rutile 85 Perovskite 86 Spinel 87 Brucite 88 Calcite 89 Dolomite 90 Apatite 92 Fluorite 93 Deerite 94 Howieite 95 Zussmanite 9% Yoderite 97 Index 98Preface The purpose of this book isto illustrate the appearance of many of the ‘eoinmon tock-Forinig mincrals in (hie acetion under the microscope I is bot our intention that it should be used as a substitute tor a mineralogy jextbook but rather as a laboratory handbook for use in practieal classes together with one of the standard textbooks on mineralogy. "The idea of producing a series of photographs of minerals sn thin section came from two sources, The son of one of the authors IR. MacKenzie, then in his second year as a student of geology Suggested thit these would be a useful aid in recognizing minerals under the microscope. On questioning undergraduates in second-year Geology classes in Manchester University. why they preferred cert. teatbooks to others, the answer was invariably that they found those books which contained iMustrations accompanying the text parti- ularly useful, especially when they could recognize under the microscope Features which could be seen in the photographs. ‘Some of the {extbooks which, in our opinion, contain the best photomicrographs or drawings of minerals are rather old and are not really available to the student of today. Rosenbusch’s Mikroskop- ‘sche Petrographie der Mineratien und Gesteine. published in 1905, has Some excellent photomicrographs printed in black and white, while Teall’s Brith Petrography, published in 1888, has beautiful drawings which appear to have been hand-coloured before reproduction by printing. HG, Smith's "Minerals and the Microscope”. firs! printed in 1914, bas been found useful by generations. of students of elementary mineralogy because of the high quality of the illustrations, It scemed to us that if we could reproduce faithfully, by colour photography, the appearance of minerals under the microscope both in plane-polarized light and under crossed polars, the usefulness of photomicrographs asa teaching aid would be increased enormously. The majority of the photographs were made from thin sections of cocks in the teaching collections of the Geology Department im Manchester University and we are grateful to many of our collex ues jin Manchester for providing us with thin sections, We are particularly indebted to Professor]. Zussman Vor his enthusiasm and encourage iment to us lo undertake this work and {0 Dr.$.0, Agrell of the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology of Cambridge University who very kindly found, from the Harker Collection in Cambridge, umber of additional thin sections. Dr. Agrell and Professor WA. Deer very generously agreed to look at most of the photographs we hhad made and helped us to decide whether they were suitable or could be improved, The authors alone are responsible tor any deficiencies ‘which are sill present in the photographs. Weare also grateful to Dr. J Wadsworth of the Manchester Department for making a number of ‘useful suggestions for improving the descriptions of the photo ticrogeaphs but again we alone are responsible for any errors which ‘appear here. Finally we are much indebted to Miss Patricia Crook who typed the text, not once but innumerable times, until we fo what we considered to be a compromise between too detailed and brief descriptions of the photographs ‘We should like to thank the staffor the publishers, particularly Bobbi Gouge, for their consideration ard helpfulness in preparation of this workIntroduction The minerasrepresented here are arranged in the same order in which they appear in Deer, Howie and. Zussman’s Introduction to Rovk Forming Muverats (relevant page numbers given at the end of each nity in squire brackets), except for a lew minerals which are not usseribed by these authors, viz. deerite, howieite, sussmatnite, yoderite and lamprophyllte. ‘The decision as (© which minerals to include has been based mainly on ewe considerations, firstly. how frequently they ‘ecu ark! secondly whether a photograph ean be a useful aid in ideniication, Inthe headings foreach mineral we have listed he chemical formula {simplified in some cases), crystal system-optic sign, the values of the fefrsctive index for biaxial minerals and the wand € ray refractive jndives for uniaxial minerals together with the birelringence, These ‘igures have been quoted from Deer, Howie and Zussman's book yith their permission. The rock type and Incality of the specimens are quoted, where these are known, and the magnifications sed in taking the photographs are given. Each photograph is accompanied by a buicf description of the field of view illustrated bat, in general. only property which can be seen in the photographs are disenssed. Thus vee have omitted reference to optic axial ungle, sign of elongation and dispersion. Ia most cuses at least two photographs have been made for ach mineral. one in plane-polarized light amul the other the same view lnder crossed polars. Ifthe mineral is pleochroic we have reproduced ‘wo photographs in plane-polarized light with the polarizer in two Dthogonal positions. In the case of isotropic minerals we have tended ‘omit the view taken under erossed polars With few exceptions the polarizer has been set parallel to the edges ‘ofthe photogeaph but we have not mace much use of this fact stice siscussion of extinction angles is omitted except in the case of the plagioelie feldspars. because this would necessitate reproducing a ‘umber of photographs taken under crossed polars. In order to show pleochroism. we have used rotation of the polarizer rather thin Fotation of the stage of the mieroscupe for two reasons. Firstly, this makes it easier lo compare the photographs and observe the changein twlour shown by any one crystal and secondly it has been done to ‘encourage the use of this method for detecting weak pleochroism, Although we have adopted the procedure of retaining the thin section in thesame orientation for all three photogeaphs, this has one disadvantage If there are only a few erysials in the field of view, or the srystalshave «strong preferred orientation in the rock section used, we have been unable to show the maximum change in absorption colour ‘on olalion ofthe polarizer throuyh 90° since the exireme absorption colours are shown by a crystal when its vibration directions are parallel to and pecpendicular to the polarizer, In these positions the crysial ‘would be at extinction when viewed under crossed polars and ideally ‘we wish to show the characteristic interference colours near to theit ‘maximum intensity. We have not specified in which of the (wo orthogonal positions the polarizer is set in the photographs taker plane-polarized light. ‘AS mentioned above we have quoted the numerical value of birefringence for each mineral, but in the description of photograph we have yenerally referred to the order of the interfere colour, To enable the reader lo translate birefringence to a partic’ colour we have included on p, via pholograph ofa quartz wedge » 4 birefringence scale along. its length, This should not be used d Michel-Levy chact since the thickness of the section is not taken i account, it being assumed that the section is of siandard thickn (003mm, Thus the mineral names are reproduced against the highs order colour which they show in a thin section of standard thick rather than opposite radial lines which show the variation in cal with thickness and birefringence of the mineral as in a Michel-Li chart The faithful reproduction of the interference colours of minerals thin section or in a quartz wedge as seen under crossed poktrs, depel to a large extent on the type of film used and also on the print proves. Some of the Michel-Lévy charts that have been publis depart slightly from the true colours and one fault which is fa common concerns the middle of the second-order colours wher broad band of bright erven is sometimes shown between blue » yellow. Observation of a quartz wedge under crossed polars reve that the second-order colour belwoen blue and yellow is a rather p green in contrast to the fairly deep green in the third order. Only minerals which are colourless sind have negligible dispersion, i possible to distinguish these wo greens and even then only al considerable experience. In some of the photographs of mincrals moderate birefringence the edge of the crystals can be seen to ‘wedge-shaped and thus the order of the interference colour can determined fairly readily Some of the common minerals which are usually considered ditfc to identify (e.g, cordicrite) are represented by more than one re seetion if we considered that additional photographs would giv better idea of the variations in appearance which may be expected different rocks or if was impossible. in one field of view, to iluste the different properttss which we wished to show. In few cases the photographs taken in plane-polarized light sh pale pink and green colours due to stray polarization produced in photographic equipment: when such colours arepresent we have not this in the description of the photograph.FIRST ORDER 551x107 em 4) SECOND ORDER 102% 107 em >} THIRD: ORDER 1652x107 om 0.000 } 0.005 + 0.010 f ois + 0.025 F 0.030 T 0.035 + 0.080 + 0.045 + 0.050 + 0.055 Birefringence chart Apatite Microcline Saniding Sa Anorthoclase VasuvlanitoZoisito Corundum — Quarts Choriee —Eucatyto Andolusite Axinite Topar Artvodnonite Indeite Mallite Plagioctasa Staurolite Wollastonite Kyanita Serpantine Cotaiorito Arucito Lawsonite Monticalita Orthopyroxene Zu Chioritold Glaucophane — Pumpellyite _Silimanite Cancrinite Chondrodite Forsterite Lamprophylta Prehnite Tourmal Altanite Pectollte Scapolite Curmmingtonite-Grunerite Epldote muscovite ‘Aegleine-Augito Pyrophyllita Tate FeyatitoOlivine Mg, SiO, Fe,SiO, Symmetry = Orthorhombie( - )() RIB 1651-169 Rirefringenee — — 4035-0:052 The olivines forma complete solid solution between the niagncsin nd-memiber, forsterite, und the iron end: nebo fayalite These photographs show two ofivine phenocrysts in a finegrnined groundmass of plagiocluse feldspar. pyr ene and iron ore. ‘The upper photograph, taken in plane-polrized light, shows the typical shape of olivine lar enicks and stiaht alteration along ihe ertcks awe charactersic of this mineral: there ane dt deasage along the lenath of one of the crystal Inthe loser photograph, taken under crossed polis, one ofthe crystals seu very nearly perpendicular toa opieaxisand so shows very low interference colour ts at anomalous brown eaused hy dispersion of the optic ates. The other crystal shows a second-order blue on the ‘im whereas the main part ofthe erystal shows a slightly lower colour The higher birefringence onthe tim of the sal Ik an indication of a higher inn content. The reverse eect, viz. lowering of the birefringence coloue dhs (o the wedge shape of the erystil boundary, ean be seen on the bottom edge of one uf the ofvine crystals and aki 8 a clinopyroxene phenoeryst part of which just appears atthe hotlom ofthe fed. [1. Specimen from ankaramite, Meima Kea, Hawaii, nagnife. talon «43 otis| Olivine Olivine Mg.SiO,-Fe,SiO, ‘Symmetry = Orthorhombie(+)(—) RIB = 651-1869 Bireiringence = 038-0152 ‘The olivines form a complete solid solution betwe I-member, forsterite, and the iro fayalite. The upper photograph, taken in plane-polarizec shows olivine (hrownish-green colour, occupying m ioc the field) intergeown with a relic’ of the olivine against the pale colour in olivine seen in common but it does not show pleocheoism — the iron-rich members of the series show a yellowish colour. The eracks in the crystals are quite charac as isthe slight alteration of the mineral along the c In the lower photograph, taken under crossed the interference colours are mostly second. ord highest colour showing in this view is the yellow small crystal just above the centre of the field colours indicate a magnesium-rich olivine since bi gence colours well into the thicd order are only s olivines with high iron contents. [I Specinien from gabbro picrite, Border Group, Skae intrusion, East Greenland, magnification 23.: Monticel Monticellite CaMgsiO, Symmetry = Orthorhombie (~) RIB = 686 1664 Wiriringence = 0012-020 Inthe upper photograph, taken in the dominant mineral is: monticel calcite, In plane-polarized light the recognized by t high relie? of material can be seen a the lide, In the lower photograph, taken undes crossed polars, the interference colours are seen to be low frst order: the highest colour seen here is the orange-yellow colour, I should be remembered that in rocks without quartz oF feldspar present it is sometimes difficult to judge the torre thickness. of a section and this section may be slightly hin. (10) feite can be mellae. The against the mounting il hole near the top edge of Specionen from monticetlive spinel-phlogopite rock, Bur- anvave, Carlingford, Eire. nugnification » 32,Chondrodite Chondrodite Mg(OH, F),-2Mg,SiO, Symmetry = Monoctinie (+) RIB 1-602-1-627 Birefringence 0028-0034 Although members of the humite group, of whiel chondrodite is one, are Irequently yellowish in colour, i this case the chondrodite is neaily colourless in this section, In the upper photograph, taken in plane polarized light, the high relief is distinctive, as also is th luek ofa good cleavage. Here itis shown intergrown wit ccleite (brownish colour) and two erystals of muscovite In the lower photograph, taken under evossed polars the muscovite erystals show a hluish-yellow interterenc colour, while the calcite is grey or dark grey, Multip! twinning is shown if two of the crystals of chondrodil and this isa characteristic of the monoclinic members 0 the humite group. It may be that this section is slightly thin because th highest interference colour in this fel isthe first-orde red shown in the crystal in the top right part of the fick and from the birefringence we should expect to se colours up to second-order red (see photographs 0 ps). Uh Specimen from marble, New Jersev, USA, magni ceution x20.Chondro Chondrodite Mg(OH. F),-2Mg.SiO, 4 Symmetry Monoclinic +) kp 1602 1627 Birefringence 0-028 0034 In this seetion t concentration of chondrodite, pale sollowish colour under planc-polarized fight (upper photograph). is shown intergrown with garnet (brown), The yellowish colour which charaeterizes the members of ihe humite group is very pale here so that a separate phoosraph 10 show the pleochroism his not. been luda Some of the erystals. show signs. of poor cleavage | Inthe view under crossed polars (ower photograph), thotwinnine which characterizes (he monoclinic member olthiseries's well illustrated and the interference colours. extend up tomidlle second-order. The garcet i this rock isagrossular and ican be sven to be slighty bicefringent In addition to chondrodite this rock also contains + Ginohurite but, sinee its birefringence is in tbe same | | range as that of chondrodite, they can only be dlistin- |uished by the fact that the clinohumite has a higher refractive mde. [13} Specimen from marble, Kilehvist, Skve, Senekandl: maagnifi- cian <2,Zircon Zircon ZxSiO, Symmetry Tetragonal (+) RE w= 1923-1980 © = 1968-2015 Bitefringence = 0042-05065 Zireon commonly occurs in rather small erystals but j easily noticed because of its very high relief, The uppe photograph, taken in planc-polarized light, shows rathe large zircon crystals associated with sphene in a fine “grained groundmass mainly of feldspar. Sphene also has: very high relief and in this photograph itis very difficult te distinguish from the zircon. The ood eleavagesin sicor are well displayed in some of the erystals, In the lower photographs, taken under erossed polars most of the zircon crystals show high interference colour except for the crystal to the left of centre which shows tw cleavagesat right angles. This crystalis cul almost at righ angles to the optic axis and hence the low interferenc colours. The sphene crystals can perhaps be more easil identified this photograph because of their much highe birefringence and by the presence of twinning (top of fil ‘oF view in centre and lo the right of zitoon showing Io birefringence). (13). Specimen from segregation in. svenite-pegmatite, Ko peninsula, USSR; maynaficasion x 28.Sphene CaTiSiO,(OH, F) Symmetry Monoclinic (+) RIB = 1870-2034 Birefringence — = 100-0192 Sphene ssa relatively easy mineral to identify commonly forms diamond-shaped crystals o! reieFhaving a brown or red-brown colou ae well shown in the upper and middle photographs taken in plane-polarized light. ‘These erystals are pleo: choie and simple twinning is common, The mincral intergrown with sphene in this section is alkali feldspar The lower photogea Shows number of crystals aken under ernssed polars, ar the extinetion position but those which show double refraction have a colour ‘ery similar to the absorption colour seen under plane. polarized ight This is due to the extreme birefringence of | Sphene such that the interferenee colours are very high almost white light. In erystals without the ‘rise shape cus fact is useful for idenuiti- cation, [13] Spain from sphese-rich rock, Kola Peninsula, USSR: magnification x 20Garnet (Mg, Fe, Mn),AL,Si, Imandine group (AL, Fe, Ti, Cr),SisOus andradite group Symmetry = Cubic REoon = 17141887 A considerable range of compositions is. possible i garnets and hence the range of refractive indices quoted re very commonly cuhedral or subhedral in shape intergrown wit 4 metamorphic rock. The garne arly from the other minerals becaus brownish colour. It shows inclusion minerals and this is a very commoi ‘quartz. and stands out quite of its high relief an of the groun feature. The middle photograph shows the sume view unde crossed polars and the garnets are seen to be isotropi Gome gamets are birefringent and may show zoning an. twinning revealed in the low birefringence colours, so lower photograph, p.5). ‘The lower photograph, taken in plane-polarized fight shows a melanite garnet (T-rich andradite) in an alkali igneous rock. Lis deep brown volour is rather uneven! distributed but it shows zoning at theedges of the crystals the euhedral shape is very characteristic. The othe mineral in this section is altered alkali feldspar, [21]. Upper and middie specimen from yarnet mica sekist Pitlochry, Scotland, magnification » 1. Bottom specie from segregation in nepheline svenie, Assynt, Scotlan ‘maggificion x 20.Vesuvianite (Idocrase) Caya(Mg, Fe); Al, SigO4(OH, F), Symmetty = ‘Tetragonal(-) mot = 1700-1746 w = 1103-9752 Birefringence = 0-001 -0-008 Inthe upper photograph, taken in plane-polarized light, angcrystal of idocrase occupies most of the field of view. Iis sight yellowish-brown colour can be seen in contrast {oafew holesin the scetion, Its very high relief can also be seen against the mounting medium, The lower photograph under crossed pokars shows the shueicievisticlow anomalous interference coloursand the ‘ayue signs of bands in the interference colours is also a fuitly common feature of large crystals and is an indicaion of zoning. Theres no sign of the poor cleavage in thiscrystal. The anomalous interference colour is due lostrong dispersion and is the most useful properly for idemitying this mineral; it commonly occurs. with ‘osular gamet which may also show low birefringence «clues and sometimes the two minerals are difficult to distinguish, ‘The green crystats at the lower edge of the field of view and the small green inclusions in the vesuvianite are alkaline amphibole. (32). ‘Specie from unknown localiey. magnification x 25. Vesuvianite (IdocraseSillimanite Sillimanite ALSiO, Symmetry = Orthoshombie (1) RL B= 1658-1662 Birefringense = 0-020-0:022 {In the upper photograph, taken in plane-polarized light. all the crystals which stand out in relief are sillimanite ‘which shows clearly against the cordierite with which itis intergrown:at the top left-hand corner of the photograph in the cordierite (q.v.). In this 4 strong prefersed orientation tals are cut at right-angles to and show diamond-shaped eross-sections die to the faves of the {110 form: the (010) cleavage is well displayed in some of the crystals, The interference colours shown in the lower photo: graph are generally low since the highest colours are shown in crystals cut along the length of the prismatic Crystals (see p.11), Crystals cut so that the (010) cleavage is sharp and well defined should be in extinction when parallel to the edges of the photograph. A few crystals cut parallel to their length show second-order colours. [34] Specimen from garnet-cordierite sillimanite ynetss, thasy Madagascar; magnification x 40.Al,SiO, Symmetry = Orthorhombie (+) RE B= 1-65K-1-662 Bireltingence = 0-020-0-022 “These photographs show lath-like crystals of sillimanite ‘whic sland out in high reliet against the cordierite with ‘which tisintergrown. Within the cordierite are numerous ‘smal needle fike crystals which are also of silimanite: bunches of very long narrow crystals of sillimanite are lenned fibrolite but the concentration of needles is ‘nsusien o justify the use ofthis term here. In the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars, thesecond-order purplish-biue interference colour is near tothe maximum colour shown by sillimanite, Silfimanite is ffeut to distinguish from mullite (q.v,) but mullite does nol often occur in crystals as large as those iutrated here and is restricted to very high temperature ‘contact metamorphic rocks. [34] ram cordierte-sitimanite gneiss 11 km south of adgascar, magnification x 68.Mullite Mullite AlSiO,3 Symmetry = Orthorhombie|-+) RE B= boant675 Birefringence 0012-0028 Malte usually occurs in very small needle-like crystals ‘The upper photograph, taken in plane-polarized light, shows multe crystals within a large crystal of anorthite (notice the high magnification used for this photograph) These erysials have avery pale pink colour in ths section but the pale pink in the background is probably due to stray polaszation. The rock isa buchile and the two ver) dark brown patches in the fel of view are of lass In the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars, the black lines parallel to the vertical edge of the photogeaph are plagioclase twin lamellae in the extinction position and in this photograph these could easily be confused with mullite needles, The interference eoloun shown by these eryslals of mullite are not as high a expected and this is caused by the factthat the erystals ar thinner than the total thickness of the section. ‘The interference colours of mullite in a section 0-03 mm thick should be about the same as those ofsilimanite. [37]. Specimen jrom buchite, Rudh’ a’ Chromain sill, Rass of Mull, Scotiand, magnification * 164. |Andalusite ALSIO, Symmetry = Orthorhombic (~) al 8B 163-1653 Bireingence 0009 0011 ‘The upper photograph, taken in plane-polarized light, shows one rectangular porphyrabkist of andalusite in a fine-grained groundmass. ‘The two clewvages approxi mately at right-angles to one another can be seen. In the cenige of the erystal there is a rectangular arew inclusions and radiating towards the corners of the: thee are concentrations of inclusions. This variety of andalusite is known as chiastolite because of the 36,Tremolite — Ferroactinolite Ca;FesSis0..(0H, F), Symmetry = Menoelinie(— ) RB = 1612-1697 Birefringence (017-0027 ‘The upper and middle photographs, taken in plane- polarized light, show a group of actinolite crystals showing pronounced pleochreism. Most of the crystals show one good cleavage but none of them are-cut to show the angle hetween the <110} cleavages The lower photograph, taken under crossed polars, _ shows twinning in one or two of the crystals andl this is faly common, The interference colours ate dominited by greens and browns but thisis due to theaddition of the: absorption colours, This is actinolite rather than tremolite because of its green colouration since tremolite is colourless, Since the common twin law for the monoclinic amphiboles is rellection across (100), elongated erystals showing a sharply defined Lwin junetion arc the most suitable crystals or measuring the extinction angle y ; 2 since these-musi be nearly (010) sections. The large tovinned crystal showing one half of the crystal in the «extinction position is not in a suitable orientation, since the (100) plane is quite oblique to the length of the section tnd shows up as u white band in this photograph. [163] Specimen from wsknown locality magnification % 20, Tromolite ~ Ferroactinolite 45Hornblende Hornblende NaCa,(Mg, Pe), AISi,A1,0,3(OH, F); ‘Symmetry = Monoelinie( jor +) RB = Fots1-7i4 Birefringence 14 04026 The upper and middle photographs, taken in-plane polarized light, show hornblende and. biotite together 1a sodium-rich plagio- hhyoisin from green to brown whereas the pleochiroism of the biotite is from a dark brown to a pale brown. A few of the hornblende Crystals show the characteristic shape and two cleavages nt 1208 Under crossed polars (lower photograph) twinning ean bescen in a ow of the hornblende crystals and the highest interference colour seen in this view is a second-order blue. The difference belween biotite and hornblende ean he seen in this photograph by the mottled appearance of the interference colours in the larwe biotite erystal whichis near to itsextinetion position. [167 | Specinien fiom granite, Moor of Raunoch. Scotland, magnification » 20,Hornblende NaCa,(Mg, le), AISi,AL.O,,(OH, F), Symmetry = Monoelinie(—) or +) RIB = OnE Td Birefringence 014 0.026 The upper and middle photographs show: brownish phenoerysts of hornblende slong with plagioclase pheno’ ned grounddmass. mat unphibole shape ane! cle stals and the pleochroisn pronounced. The opaque rims are probably due to the formation of magnetite by oxidation of iron, and are {oinly common in hornblendes in voleunie rocks The interference colours (lower photoyruph) tend to be obscured by the absorption colours; the birelringence of common homblende is low to moderate. [167] Specimen from wrachvte. Lacqueitle, Me, Dore region, France: magnification 32. — Hornblende a7Kaersutite NaCa,(Mg, Fe),(Ti, Fe)AI,Si,0,,(OH, F), Symmetry Monoclinic (—) RIB = 1690 1741 Birefringence = 0-019 0083 The upper and middle photographs, taken in plane polarized light, show the strong pleachroism and for brown colour which is characteristic of this mineral, The amphibole shape and cleavages are well displayed in the crystal inthe eentre oF the field The lower photograph taken under crossed polars, shows that the absorption colours are strong enough 19 musk partly the interference colours, hut the birefia ence of this mineral has a very Useful diagnostic property. I is kaersutite from other brown amphiboles. ‘The amp) in this rock was previously known as barkevikite. [134 Specimen fiom lngarive, Lugar Sill, Avrshive, Scotland: ‘magnification x 2.Glaucophane Na, Mg, ALSi,O,,(OH), Symmetry Monoclinic (—) RB = 16221607 Birefringence = @-008-0-022 The upper and middle photographs, taken in plane polarized light, show mainly glaueophane crystals with i ‘ey small quartz crystals, The bwo prismuatie cleavages at 20° are clearly seen und the striking absorption colours: i vary from blue to a lavender-blue are typical for Ihis mineral, The colours are zoned near the margins of Is lower photograph, luken under crossed polars urs are low order, bul anonnilous 12 absorption colours. The zoning evel! nore easily seen under crossed polars. The only minerals which show comparable absorption colours are eckermannite which may show a pale lavender colour and yoderite (q.y.) bul both are very rae in ‘occurrence. This sample should possibly be deseribed move correctly as erossite since there is generally some Fe ® substituting for Al and the mume glaucophane is restricted to miaeruls with rather low contents of Fe? [179} Specimen from schist, Syphnos, Greece: magaiti- ation = 20 Gloucophane ee 49Arfvedsonite Arfvedsonite Nay(Mg, Fe), AlSi,O,,(OH, F), Synimetry = Monoclinic) REog = 1679 1709 Birefringence 0-00-0012 In the upper and middle photogeaphs, taken in plane polarized light, arfvedsonite is eecognized hy its absorp tion colours which vary from a deep Prussian blue { brownish-green colour. The blue may be so dark that th crystals appear opaque. None of these crystals show th (pica! amphibole i P the arfvecsonite shows anomalous interference colours bocause of the strong sorption celours, The biveliin uence is low so that bright colours are not (© be expected cis difficult to distinguish arfvedsonite from riebecki since hott may show the deep blue absorption colo illustrated here, but ricbeckite dacs not show th brownish solour seen in this sample. [187] ite, Himaaussag mirusion, West Green Fane, maven 32: Aenigmatit Aenigmatite Na, Fe. TiSi,Ox9 Symmetry = Trielinier+) ROB 192 Birefringence our I the upper and middle photographs, taken in plane- polarvved Tight, the very dark brown cry matte. [tis sometimes so dark as 1a app he brown colour can usually be seen at the ed crys tryst upproximately 120°: in this respect it could be mistaken for an amphibole, that it is pleochroie can be seen by comparing these two photographs. Under crossed polars ower photogriph) the brown colour masks any interlerence colours so that it is not possible to estimate the birelzingence. The kare ree- Hall pars, one of them being in the extinction position, smainder of the field is occupied by a brownish las. [191 ‘men from pansellerite, Pantellerta, ttaly, magnitt-Astrophyllite 2 Astrophyllite 4 (K, Na),Fe,Ti,Sis,,(O, OH, F), = Symmetry ~ Weielinie 4) RIB = 1703-1726 Birefringence = (06 (approx) Astrophyllite usually occurs in needle shaped erystals in , Nudiating groups, bul in this scotion it ovcurs as rather shapeless crystals full of inclusions in .t-fine-peained GAY groundmass. The upper and middle photographs shoss the pleacheoism which is from brown to a yellow colour. Some crystals ure much more distinctly yellow than those | illustrated. Most erystals show one cleavage Because ofthe strong absorption enfiours it isailficlt to judge the order of the interference colours shown in the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars, but the large erystal at the top of the field show's a third-order green colour which indicates a birefringence of at leas {404 so-wwe know that the birefringence is fairly high, The eroundmass of this rock consists of a sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar. [192] Specimen from microsvenite, East Groontand, magni atten 20)Lamprophyllite Na, (Ca, Fe)Ti,Si,0,,(OH) Symmetry RIB a Birelringence — — Monoclinic (4) 1747-1958 0-032-04035 suse it occurs. in some of the This mineral is included be rocks from the Pilansberg complex and the Bearpaw Mountains in Montana and these may be represented in many teaching collections. amprophylliies the pale-brown mineral which shows it pleochroism (compare upper andl middle photo- graphs), A few euhedral crystals ean be seen and a leavage is visible in a number c coloured minerals «re acgirine-augite and arfvedsonite: the colourless mineral is mainly alkali (Fl Lider crossed polacs (lower photo, amprophyllite crystals show very slighily ph) a few of the anomalous Dour ia secon ofder blusican be teadly seca atthe wwedge-like termination of one of the ervstakk Lamprophyllite weLamprophyllite Na, (Ca, Fe)Ti,Si,0,,(OH) Symmetry = Monoelinie( |) Rog Leva 78a Birefringence 0032-0035 This mineral is included because it occurs in some of the rocks from the Piinsbere complex and the Beurpaw Mountains in Montana and these may be represented in many teaching collections, Lamprophyllite the pale-brown mineral which shows slight pleochroism (compare upper and middle photo- graphs). A few euhedral erystals can be seen and a savage is visible inst numa st coloured minerals are segirine-augite and arlyedsonite: the colourless mineral is mainly alkali (feldspar), Under crossed polars (lower phote few of the lumprophyllie erystals show very slightly anomalous colours and one showing hour-ghiss zoning hits) distinetly anomalous brown colour, This erystal is. cut nearly perpendicular to an optic axis and the anomalous colouris duc to disperston of the uptie axes. Twinning be seen in one of the erystals, ‘Thal the blu interference colour is a seeand-order blue ean be readily seen at the nedge-like termination of one of the crystals ypevionen from green foyaite, Piluusherg, South Africa; gnification x44 Lamprophylite eR ae 53Muscovite Muscovite KAI,Si,0,,(OH, F), yymmetry = Monoetinie() RIB = bS82 h610 Birefringence = 0-036-0-049 A very slight greenish tint (upper photograph) ean bese in this muscovite against the quartz with which it intergrown: this could be due to the mineral being phengiterather than muscovite but in this ease itis due Slight stray polarization in the photomicroseope, Most the crystals show the perfect busi deavage In the lower photograph, tiken under crossed pota similar interference colours are shown by most ersst duc tou preferred orientation in therock: one erystal ne the top ight-band corner of the photograph is cut neat parallel to dre basal cleavage and so interference figure. Many of the exystals and crysils which are near to the extinction posi show the mottled appearance which is characteristic of micas. [201] Specimen fram Kyanite schist. Hamma of Snarravae, Un Shetland, Scotland, magnification 14.Biotite K(Mg, Fe), AISi,O,,(OH, F), Symmetry = Monoclinie ( RB = 6051-696 Birefringence = 0-04 0 Biotite is invariably brown or green in colour. The upper and middle photographs, taken in plane-polarized light, show a field almost entirely occupied by biotite with numerous dark brown to black pleochroic hitloes. The perfect cleavage can be seen in many of the crystals, The ‘maximum absorption colour is shown when the polarizer 's parallel to the cleavage. In the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars, the crystals in thecentre of the field are fairly close to the extinction position, und this has been done to emphasize the mottled appearance which is characteristic of all ‘micas und is most clearly seen when close ta extinction. ‘The greenish crystal at the bottom lefi-hand comer of the field is tourmstine. [211] Specimen fromm hictite-kvanive-eneiss. Dun nan Geard, Ross of Mull, Scotland, magnification % 52. Biotite 55Biotite ‘ # Biotite #5 K(Mg, Fe),AISi,0,o(OH, F); Symmetry = Monoetinie (—) RIB = 1605-1496 Biretringenoe 004-008 These photographs show brown phenaerysts of biotite in a fine-prained groundmass, The chsnge in absorption colours on rotating the polarizer (upper and middle raphs) and zoning of the absorption colours is is probably cue to variation in zoning of the biretringe! long crystal to the right of eentre shows blues and yellows which are second-order colours. The other minerals in the rock are feldspars ancl few nicrophenoerysts of pyroxene (high relict). [211] Specimen fram lanprophyre, Puffa Bar, Herme, Channel Islands. magnification x 32.Stilpnomelane K(Fe, Mg, Al),Si,Q,9(O, OH),-3H,0 Stitpnometana Symmetry = Menoclinie() RL OB — 1576-1745 Birefringence — 4030-04110 ‘The brown lath-shuped crystals in these photographs are of stilpnomelane and the pronounced pleochroism is early illustrated by the upper and middle photographs with the polarizer rotated through 90°. It may be brown, as in this example, or green and so can be confused with biotite but the cleavage is not nearly ats well developed as in biotites. This sumple shows a darker brown colour than is expected in a fresh sample because i parlly oxidized The interference colours are gencrally masked by the brown absorption colour as seen in the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars. There are slight signs of another cleavage at rightangles to the length of the ‘crystals and when this is clear it is a useful observation to istinguish stilpnomelane from biotite. The chemical formula given ubove is simplified and does not show the wide variation in composition which this mineral mayhave. [22% Specimen from metamorphosed ironstone. California, USA, magnification x 32,Pyrophyllite Pyrophyllite AISi,0.(OH) Syimmery = Monectinie(=) RE B 1886 1589 Birefringence | ~ 0.050 ‘The upper photograph shows a field of view alm entirely occupied by pyrophyllite huc there are no featu visible which permit casy distinetion between pyrophyil and muscovite, Under crossed polars, lower photograph, the mot appearance is also similar to that of muscovite, TI svetion was chosen because it shows relatively” la Crystals of pyrophiyllite and an interference figure show moderate optic axial angle in contrast ty the low va seen in muscovites. Usually pyrophyllite occurs in st sinall crystals that it is impossible to obtain an lerference figure trom them, [225), ‘Specimen from unknown locality, magnification x 72,Talc Mg,Si,O,o(OH)» Symmetry = Monoclinic (—) a) = bs80 1504 Birefringence = 0-05 Most of the field of view is occupied by wlein a highly deformed rock, It is much easier to identify tule in hand specimen than in thin section because it fees slippery, whereus in thin section it can be confused with a white mica, The change in relief of different parts of the highly ontorted bands af ale is well illustrated by the upper and niddle photographs, taken with the polarizer in ortho- sons positions The lower photograph, taken under crossed polars, ws second-order interference colours aver almost the vhole lield except lor small areas of chlorite which is ntergrown with the tale, The chlorite shows a first-order rey or white colour. [227] ‘men from Madran Mountain, Menderes Massif. South Vest Turkey, magniication * 27 Tale 59Chiorite Chlorite (Mg, Fe. Al), (Si, Al) O20(OH) Symmetry = Monoelinie (+)0r (—) kr 8B 197-167 Birefringer 000-0-01 The term chlorite covers a wide range of mineral compositions but most members of this group are vither colourless or green in colour and when « green mineral is observed intergrown with « brown biolite us in the photograph adjacent itis likely to be chlorite, The upper photograph, tken in plane-polarized light, shows a biotite breaking down toa chlorite so that residual brown flakes of biotite are surrounded by pale green chlorite: it is usually pleochroic. Chlorite hasa perfect basal cleavage but it is visible in only a few crystals in this view. Under crossed polirs (lower photograph) the anom- alous interference colours which are charaeteristic of re clearly seen, Although all chlorites do lous colours, their birefringence is always Specimen from mica-dionive, Glen Loy. Scotland, magnif- cation 53Chlorite : (Mg, Fe, Al), (Si. ADgO39(OH),5 Symmetey = Monoclinic (+) or) RIB = 1ST 167 Birefringence 0-00-0-01 Only one photogee light is shown here by different orientations to show the ple yellowish to green, The perfect clei an be clearly Set! in many of the erystals and others are cut nearly parallel to the basal cleavage and. of course, show no cleavage. In the lower photograph, taken under crossed polats. sn from pale the low grey and anomalous brown colours are character: istic of some chlonites. There are also signs of twinning in some erystals The mineral with which the chlorite is intergrown is adularia, a K-rich feldspar formed in low-temperature wins, (231) Specinien from adilaria-quart= vein, St, Gottard, Switzer land: magnification x 72, 6Serpentir Serpentine Mg,Si,0,(OH), Symmetry = Monoclinie (=) RL B = 154-1566 Birefringence = 0.004-0017 The name serpentine covers three polymorphs wh sasily be distinguished optically, and ms specimens contain more than one polymorphic for This speciinen is probably a mixture of lizardite a chrysotile The upper photograph shows serpentine which is p yellowish in colour together with an opaque iron oxi greyate is undoubtedly the result o OF pyroxene. although relict erys not clearly defined as in some examples, ‘The lower photograph, taken under erossed pols shows the low first-order colours characteristic of | serpentine minerals and it also shows a mesh text which isa common feature of this mineral and is fa diagnostie, (242), Specimen from serpentinite, Lizard, Comwall, Erglan inaggificaiion x 20,Prehnite Ca, AL,Si;0,9(OH),, Symmetry = Orthorhombie( +) RB = 61S 1642 Birefringence = :022-0-035 Most of the field is occupied by prebnite although a few erystals of calette ean be seen in the top part of the upper photograph, taken in plane-polarized light. The pale pink and green colours are stray polarization colours produced in the photographic equipment. One of the characteristic features of this mineral is its tendency to form radiating groups of crystals and this is best seen in the lower photograph, taken under crossed polars Prehnite characteristically shows very bright second- and third-order colours and since the mineral in thin section is almost without colour these interference colours are usually very pure. (277), Specionen from marble vation 26 PrehniteMicrocline Symmetry = Trielinie¢—) RDB = 1518 Birefringence | — «O07 The two photographs show a perthitic microcline erystal ‘cut approximately parallel to (001) with the trace of (010) Parallel lo the long dimension of the photograph. The upper photograph was taken in plane-polarized light with the substage diaphragm closed to accentuate the relief in diferent parts of the section, Parallel to the short edge of the photograph are small veinlets differing jn relief from the host — these are iicroperthitic albite lamellae. At an angle of about 25° to the same edge of the photograph there are three or four thick veins of perthitie albite which also dilfer in relief from the surrounding mutter The lower photograph, taken under crossed polars, shows the eross-hatehed twinning (albite and pericline laws) which is very characteristic of mieroctine, The perthitic albite veins ut 25° to the short edge of the photograph are rather dark here but show twinning according to the albite law ~ the composition plane (010) is parallel (0 that of the albite twinned lamellae in the microcline, ‘The twin lamellae in the microvline are most sharply delined close to the albite veins and they are of variable widch. This mineral should not be confused with amorthoclase (q.¥.). [285] Specinten from pegmatite, Diamond Mine, Topsham, Maine, USA, masmitication «43,Perthite & Microperthite Perthite & Microperthite (K, Na)AISi,O, Perthite is the name given ( an intergrowth of potassium-rich and a sodium-rich feldspar when the host material ig the potassinm-rich feldspar, When the host material is playioclase the name antiperthite is used and When the sodiuin-rich and potassium-rich phases are in equal amounts the term mesoperthite is used. Perthite is, used when the mtergrowth can be seen in hand specimen ‘and mieroperthite when it is visible only under the microscope. These three photographs were taken under crossed polars The upper photograph shows most of the field pceupied by a mineral with a very dark grey interference eolou and sinall white blebs of microperthitiealbite fairly unilormly diseributed throughout, Two cleavages are visible almost Al right-angles (0 one another so that this section is eut nearly perpendicular to the x axis, No twinning is visible soit is ikely to hare monoelinie symmetay and the name orthoclase-mictoperthite is appropriate. A nearly centred acute bisectrix interference figure is abtained from this section with an optic axial angle of ubout 45°, a value appropriate For oriboclase-micropesthite ‘The middle photograph is.a course perthite cut nearly parallel to (010). The white ares are sodium-leldspar and the dark areas are of potassium-feldspar. Within the dark res are fine lighi-coloured lamellite of microperthitic albite which lie at an angle of approximately 75° to the trace of the (001) eleavaye which is parallel to the long, cdge of the photograph, Although no twinning can be scen in either the sedium-reeh or potassium-rich phase bite winning were present it would not he wen in a section cut nearly parallel to (010), In addition perictine winning will not he seen in a section cut exactly at right angles to the bwin axis, the 1 erystallographie axis. and will be difficult to detect in & section vlose to this nrientation, From this section alone itis not possible to ‘ay whether the polassium-rich phase is orthoclase or icrocline. The lower photograph is also of a mieroperthitie ekispar in the sume orientation as the middle photograph, uit here nny microperthitic albite is visible, oriented at bout 75° to the trace of the (O01) cleavave.. 283) ipper specimen from warnet granulite. West of Ame jaasarv. Mudagascar, muguification « 21. Middle spect nen from unknown locality, magnification 27. Laser pecimen from pegmatite, Kodarma, Bibur. India, maynifi- ation x 38. 65