Optical Mineralogy: Mineral Descriptions v. 2

The second volume of this two volume work begins with a summary chapter on optical techniques which is intended as a quick reference, and a summary for those who have not purchased the first volume. A short second chapter discusses the use of the various charts, tables, graphs and mineral descriptions contained in the book, and the mineral descriptions given are detailed and up to date, and are intended for use with either grain mounts or thin sections, an innovative feature. Each mineral description is accompanied by a block diagram showing the relationship between optical and crystallographic directions, and almost every mineral is shown in a coloured or black and white photograph, or in some cases, both. The mineral groups are arranged alphabetically with names in upper page corners, and the optical features associated with cleavage surfaces are given for each mineral.