Identification Tables for Common Minerals in Thin Section

These tables provide a concise summary of the properties of a range of common minerals. Within the tables, minerals are arranged by colour so as to help with identification. If a mineral commonly has a range of colours, it will appear once for each colour. To identify an unknown mineral, start by answering the following uestions! "#$ What colour is the mineral? "%$ What is the relief of the mineral? "&$ Do you think you are looking at an igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rock? 'o to the chart, and scan the properties. Within each colour group, minerals are arranged in order of increasing refractive inde( "which more or less corresponds to relief$. This should at once limit you to only a few minerals. )y looking at the chart, see which properties might help you distinguish between the possibilities. Then, look at the mineral again, and check these further details.
Notes: "i$ Name! names listed here may be strict mineral names "eg andalusite$ , or group names "eg chlorite$, or distinctive variety names "eg titanian augite$. These tables contain a personal selection of some of the more common minerals. *emember that there are nearly +,,, minerals, although -./ of these are rare or very rare. The minerals in here probably make up -./ of medium and coarse0grained rocks in the crust. "ii$ IMS! this gives a simple assessment of whether the mineral is common in igneous "I$, metamorphic "M$ or sedimentary "S$ rocks. These are not infallible guides 0 in particular many igneous and metamorphic minerals can occur occasionally in sediments. )ear this in mind, even if minerals are not marked as being common in sediments. "iii$ Colour in TS etc: the range of colours for each mineral is given, together with a description of any pleochroism. 1ote that these are colours seen in thin0section, not hand0 specimen. The latter will always be much darker and more intense than thin section colours. "iv$ I: the total range of refractive inde( shown by the mineral with this coulour is shown! This covers any range due to compositional variation by solid solution, as well as the two or three refractive indices of anisotropic minerals. "v$ elief ! is described verbally, followed by a sign indicating whether the relief is positive or negative "ie greater or less than the mounting medium of the thin0section 0 #..+$. Minerals with refreactive indices close to #..+ have low relief, those with much higher or lower refractive inde(es will have high relief. "vi$ !"tinction: angles are only given where minerals usually show a linear feature such as a cleavage and2or long crystal faces. 3or plagioclase feldspars "stippled$ the e(tinction angles given are those determined by the Michel04evy method "see a te(tbook for details$. "vi$ Int# $igure! this gives details of the interference figure. 5ny numbers given refer to the value of %6 "normally a range is given$, followed by the optic sign. 3or unia(ial minerals the word 78ni7 is given, followed by the sign.9our course may or may not have covered interference figures. If not, ignore this section: "vii$ %irefr! )irefringence is described verbally, In some cases the ma(imum is given as a colour, in other cases you will need to cross0refer to an interference colour chart. "viii$ T&inning etc#!, a few notes about twinning, or other internal features of crystals may be given. If no twinning is mentioned, then the phenomenon is not common in thin section, but this does not mean that it 1;6;* occurs. "i($ Notes! general tips on appearance, occurrence and distinguishing features. May include indication of whether the mineral is length fast or slow 0 again a feature not covered in all courses 0 but a useful and easily0determined property. Are these tables any good? Do you like them? Do they work? I would welcome any comments which might improve their usefulness. In particular, I would be grateful if you could let me know of any errors you find. Other views on layout or content also welcome. John aithfull manager!museum.gla.ac.uk.

John aithfull "##$

Mineral

IMS Colour in TS etc. COLOURLESS

RI

Relief

Extinction

Int. Figure

Birefr.

Twinning etc.

Notes

fluorite !#!lci"e +orthocl!se+ "icrocli#e !lbite 2pl!giocl!se3 oligocl!se 2pl!giocl!se3 #epheli#e cor$ierite

IS I

colourless, blueish or purple 1.43 colourless 1.4( 1.-.-1.-3 1.-.-1.-3 1.-.-1.-4 1.-3-1.--

v. high "o$ v.lo) v.lo) v.lo) 6- -.0 to -1. 2,ichel-Lev' 3 v.lo) 6- -1. to 1. 2,ichel-Lev' 3 /0, -ve 50, -ve /0-50, 6ve

ISOTRO IC vv )e!* lo)1 up to gre' C!rlsb!$ 2. h!lves3 lo)1 up to gre' cross-h!tch lo) 1 up to cre!" %lbite t)i#s !lo#g le#gth, !lso C!rlsb!$ 6 others %lbite t)i#s !lo#g le#gth, !lso C!rlsb!$ 6 others

I,S colourless I,S colourless I, I, colourless colourless

L!te "i#er!l i# gr!#ites - ofte# purple $ue to r!$i!tio# $!"!ge. %lso ! ce"e#t i# s!#$sto#es. &igh -ve relief, colour !#$ isotrop' $isti#ctive. Usu!ll' i# grou#$"!ss of $olerites !#$ b!s!lts filli#g sp!ces bet)ee# pl!giocl!se cr'st!ls. Colourless !#$ #e!rl' isotropic $isti#ctive. Ofte# turbi$. ,!' sho) p!tch' or thre!$' perthitic te4ture. T)i##i#g ver' $isti#ctive. Co""o# i# lo)-gr!$e "et!. roc*s )ith chlorite-"uscovite-!cti#olite etc3, !#$ ofte# cle!r !#$ u#t)i##e$ - c!# be ver' h!r$ to i$e#tif'. I# ig#eous roc*s usu!ll' t)i##e$, !s ri"s o# "ore c!lcic pl!giocl!se, or o# perthite, or !s ! l!te repl!ce"e#t of other fel$sp!rs.

I ,

colourless colourless.

!#$esi#e 2pl!giocl!se3 9u!rt8 l!br!$orite 2pl!giocl!se3 c!lcite b'to)o#ite 2pl!giocl!se3 "uscovite !#orthite 2pl!giocl!se3 tre"olite 2!"phibole3 !#thoph'llite
2ortho!"phibole3

I,

colourless

I,S colourless I, colourless

I# ig#eous roc*s ofte# )ith biotite !#$ 7-fel$sp!r. %lso i# lo)-"e$ gr!$e "et! roc*s. Cr'st!ls i# ig#eous roc*s ofte# rect!#gul!r l!ths. Ofte# 8o#e$1 usu!ll' %#-rich cores !#$ %b-rich ri"s. %#-rich cores "!' !lter "ore e!sil' to sericite - ! fi#e-gr!i#e$ turbi$ "ic!. T)i##i#g $isti#ctive - other)ise process of eli"i#!tio#. Euhe$r!l 4ls bloc*'1 he4!go#s or rect!#gles, but o#l' see# i# l!v!s. Else)here !#he$r!l. 1.-3-1.-- v.lo) 6- 0 U#i -ve lo)1 up to $* Ofte# clou$'. ,!' h!ve highl' briefr. !lter!tio#. ,ostl' i# ige#ous roc*s - v. sc!rce gre' else)here. 1.-3-1.-/ v.lo) 40-50, lo) 1 up to so"eti"es r!$i!ti#g ,ostl' fou#$ i# lo)-pressure "et!pelites 2eg hor#fels3. O#e of the h!r$est "i#er!ls to lo) 6"ostl' -ve )hite he4!go#!l, stripe$, i$e#tif' - ofte# loo*s li*e 9u!rt8 or pl!giocl!se. T)i##i#g "!' loo* li*e pl!g t)i##i#g i# co!rse gr!i#e$ roc*s. Ofte# h!s +blebb'+ i#clusio#s. ,!' h!ve 'ello) pleochroic h!loes or u#t)i##e$. !rou#$ 8irco#s etc. Te#$s to !lter to $!r*er coloure$ cru$ th!# pl!giocl!se. I# ig#eous roc*s, ofte# )ith hor#ble#$e, !lso i# "e$-high gr!$e "et! roc*s. Cr'st!ls i# 1.-4 -1.-: v.lo) 6 1.-.5 /0-(0, -ve lo) 1 up to p!le %lbite t)i#s !lo#g 2,ichel-Lev' or 6ve gre' le#gth, !lso C!rlsb!$ ig#eous roc*s ofte# rect!#gul!r l!ths. Ofte# 8o#e$1 usu!ll' %#-rich cores !#$ %b-rich ri"s. %#-rich cores "!' !lter "ore e!sil' to sericite - ! fi#e-gr!i#e$ turbi$ "ic!. T)i##i#g 3 6 others $isti#ctive - other)ise process of eli"i#!tio#. Usu!ll' irregul!r gr!i#s. Cle!r !#$ u#!ltere$. ,!' sho) str!i#e$ e4ti#ctio#. 1.-4-.1-- v.lo) 6 U#i 6ve lo) 1 up to r!re

/0-(0, -ve lo)1 up to or 6ve )hite

1.---1.-/

lo) 6

cre!" .5-3( /0-(0, -ve lo) 1 up to 2,ichel-Lev' or 6ve )hite 3 e4tre"e. i#*'-buff 40--. 50-(0 -ve lo) 1 up to 2,ichel-Lev' cre!" 3 0 U#i -ve

I# ig#eous roc*s ofte# )ith cli#op'ro4e#e !#$ or olivi#e. %lso i# high-gr!$e "et! roc*s. %lbite t)i#s !lo#g le#gth, !lso C!rlsb!$ Cr'st!ls i# ig#eous roc*s ofte# rect!#gul!r l!ths. Ofte# 8o#e$1 usu!ll' %#-rich cores !#$ %b-rich ri"s. %#-rich cores "!' !lter "ore e!sil' to sericite - ! fi#e-gr!i#e$ turbi$ "ic!. 6 others

I,S colourless I, colourless

1.---1.:1.-:-1.-5

lo) to "o$ 6 lo) 6

I,S colourless. , , , colourless colourless colourless

1.-:-1.:1 1.-/-1.-( 1.:0-1.:4 1.:0-1.:/

lo) 6 lo) 6 "e$ 6 "e$ 6

30-40, -ve high1 up to up. II or$er -.6 50-(0 -ve lo) 1 up to 2,ichel-Lev' cre!";'ello) 3 6 others c!..0 50-55, -ve "o$ to high1 up to "i$ II or$er. 0 /0-(0, "o$1 up to lo) 6ve II or$er

T)i##i#g $isti#ctive - other)ise process of eli"i#!tio#. Relief usu!ll' ch!#ges !s st!ge rot!te$. &!r$ to tell !p!rt fro" other c!rbo#!tes i# thi# sectio# u#less st!i#e$. I# ig#eous roc*s ofte# )ith cli#op'ro4e#e !#$ or olivi#e. %lso i# high gr!$e "et! roc*s. %lbite t)i#s !lo#g le#gth, !lso C!rlsb!$ Cr'st!ls i# ig#eous roc*s ofte# rect!#gul!r l!ths. Ofte# 8o#e$1 usu!ll' %#-rich cores !#$ %b-rich ri"s. %#-rich cores "!' !lter "ore e!sil' to sericite - ! fi#e-gr!i#e$ turbi$ "ic!. 6 others T)i##i#g $isti#ctive - other)ise process of eli"i#!tio#. fl!*es )ith 1 perfect cle!v!ge. &!bit !#$ birefri#ge#ce $isti#ctive. I# !lu"i#ous gr!#ites 6 "!#' "et!"orphic roc*s. %#orthite co""o#er i# ver' high gr!$e "et!"orphic roc*s th!# i# ig#eous roc*s. Ofte# %lbite t)i#s !lo#g le#gth, !lso C!rlsb!$ 8o#e$. T)i##i#g $isti#ctive.

rho"bic l!"ell!e

Cr'st!ls usu!ll' elo#g!te. O#l' fou#$ i# c!rbo#!te-rich "et!"orphic roc*s 2eg "!rbles3. E#$ sectio#s sho) . cle!v!ges !t 1.0 $egrees, Lo#g sectio#s sho) 1 cle!v!ge !lo#g le#gth, Le#gth slo). I# ,g-rich "et! roc*s, esp. lo)-gr!$e "et!b!sites - ofte# )ith t!lc. Li*e !cti#olite, but p!r!llel e4ti#ctio#. Le#gth slo). %"phibole cle!v!ges o# e#$ sectio#s1 1.0 $eg.

John aithfull "##$

Mineral

IMS Colour in TS etc COLOURLESS 2co#t$3

RI

Relief

Extinction

Int. Figure

Birefr.

Twinning etc.

Notes

!cti#olite 2!"phibole3 !p!tite !#$!lusite olivi#e

, I, , I

colourless to p!le gree# colourless. colourless or v. p!le pi#* 2pleochroic3 colourless

1.:0-1./0 1.:3-1.:1.:3-1.:: 1.:3-1.5/ 2=e rich higher3

"e$. 6 "o$ 6 "o$high 6 "o$high6

10-.0 0 0 0

/--50, -ve "o$-high1 up to "i$ II or$er U#i -ve lo) - gre'

/0-(0, -ve lo)1 up to )hite. ,g rich1 50-(0 6ve, =e rich -0(0 -ve .0-30, 6ve -0-(0 -ve 2ver' ,grich o#es 6ve3 -0-/0, 6ve high1 up to up. II or$er, or III i# =e-rich o#es. "o$1 up to "i$ II or$er. lo)-"o$1 up to I or$er re$. ,o$ -high1 up ?ot u#co""o#. to up. II or$er %lso sector 8o#i#g. ISOTRO IC lo)1 up to I or$er 'ello) ?ot u#co""o#.

Cr'st!ls usu!ll' elo#g!te. Lo-gr!$e "et!. roc*s - esp. b!sic ig#eous roc*s, or se$i"e#ts co#t!i#i#g b!s!ltic $etritus. E#$ sectio#s sho) . cle!v!ges !t 1.0 $egrees, Lo#g sectio#s sho) 1 cle!v!ge !lo#g le#gth. Le#gth slo). Usu!ll' !s ti#' elo#g!te cr'st!ls )ith rou#$ or he4!go#!l outli#e. Sh!pe, !#$ birefri#ge#ce $isti#ctive. Le#gth f!st usu!ll'. Restricte$ to lo)- "et!pelites. Cr'st!ls usu!ll' elo#g!te, )ith #e!rl' s9u!re <-sectio#. +chi!stolite+ v!riet' h!s cross-li*e i#lcusio#s i# e#$ sectio#s. &!bit, lo) birefri#ge#ce !#$ str!ight e4ti#ctio# $isti#ctive. Le#gth f!st. Cr'st!ls ofte# e9u!#t or rou#$e$;gr!#ul!r )ith curvi#g cr!c*s !#$ !lter!tio# to colourless serpe#ti#e, or 'ello) or gree# cl!'s. Co""o#est i# b!sic !#$ ultr!b!sic ig#eous roc*s> !lso i# "et! "!rbles. =e olivi#es r!re, i# gr!#itic !#$ s'e#itic roc*s. %ssoci!tio#, sh!pe, l!c* of colour !#$ cle!v!ge, !#$ birefri#ge#ce $isti#ctive. Cr'st!ls usu!ll' fi#el' !cicul!r 2+fibrolite+3 - elo#g!te. Restricte$ to high-gr!$e "et!pelites. Le#gth slo). &igher briefri#ge#ce !#$ relief th!# !#$!lusite. +=ibrolite+ especi!ll' !ssoci!te$ )ith biotite. Co""o#est i# b!sic !#$ ultr!b!sic roc*s, plus high-gr!$e "et! roc*s 2esp "et!b!sites3. E#$ sectio#s sho) . cle!v!ges !t c!. (0, other)ise 1 !lo#g cr'st!ls. Le#gth f!st. 4 cle!v!ges, pleochrois", !#$ lo) birefri#ge#ce $i!g#ostic. ,uch soli$ sol# !#$ v!ri!tio# i# properties. %l"ost !l)!'s prese#t i# b!sic ig#eous roc*s. %lso i# "et! "!rbles, !#$ i# high gr!$e "et!b!sites. %ssoci!tio#, birefri#ge#ce !#$ p4 cle!v!ges 2(0 $eg.3 $isti#ctive. Tr!#sp!re#t spi#els "!i#l' i# "et! roc*s1 colourless o#es i# "!rbles, coloure$ o#es i# highgr!$e "et!pelites. @eep bro)# Cr-rich o#es i# b!sic !#$ ultr!b!sic roc*s. E9u!#t gr!i#s, isotropic. ,!' rese"ble g!r#et i# TS, but r!rer, !#$ oct!he$r!l h!bit ofte# see#. ,o$er!te to high gr!$e "et!pelites. Le#gth slo). . cle!v!ges !t 5- ofte# see# i# lo#g gr!i#s. ,!' sho) "!rgi#!l !lter!tio# to fi#e-gr!i#e$ "uscovite etc. &igh relief, lo)-birefri#ge#ce, !ssoci!tio# !#$ cle!v!ges $isti#ctive. I# lo) gr!$e "et!"orphic roc*s, esp. "et!b!s!lts, !#$ !s !ccessor' "i#er!l i# gr!#itic roc*s. Ofte# sho)s $isti#ctivel' bright birefri#ge#ce colours )ith p!tch' colour $istributio#. =re9ue#tl' sho)s f!i#t 'ello) ti#t 2$isti#ctive3 i# L.

silli"!#ite

colourless

1.:--1.:5

high 6 "o$high 6 high 6

0 0

orthop'ro4e#e I,

colourless or p!le gree#-re$ 1.:--1./3 pleochrois" colourless or p!le bro)#ish or gree#ish colourless, or bro)#, gree# or bl!c*. colourless. colourless to 'ello)-gree#> "!' be )e!*l' pleochroic 1.::-1./:

$iopsi$e-!ugite I, cli#op'ro4e#e spi#el *'!#ite epi$ote I, , I,

3---0

1./1- 1.56 high 6 1./1-1./3 1./1-1./( high 6 high 6 up to 30, but c!. 5-, ofte# #e!r 0 -ve usu!ll' 0

g!r#et

I,

colourless to pi#*ish

tit!#ite

I,

colourless or p!le bro)#.

1./4-1.51 v. high 6 for "ost colourless g!r#ets 1.5--..11 v. high 6

:0-(0, -ve high1 up to III or$er> so"eti"es !#o"!lous blue. ISOTRO IC

I# )i$e r!#ge of "et! roc*s i#lcu$i#g "!rbles. Cr'st!ls rou#$e$ or e9u!#t - if )ell-for"e$ "!' h!ve : or 5 si$es i# thi# sectio#. ,!' h!ve 8o#es or tr!ils rich i# i#lcusio#s of 9u!rt8, biotite etc, )hich "!' sho) S or A sh!pes. Sh!pe, isotrop', !#$ relief $isti#ctive. I# i#ter"e$i!te !#$ !ci$ ig#eous roc*s, !#$ i# "!#' "et!b!sites. Cr'st!ls co""o# - ofte# $i!"o#$-sh!pe$ rho"bic <-sectio#s see#. E4tre"e relief !#$ birefri#ge#ce $isti#ctive. Lo) birefri#ge#t gr!i#s ofte# $o#Bt e4ti#guish properl' !#$ i#ste!$ go fro" $ull !#o"!lous or!#ge to $ull blue. cr'st!ls usu!ll' ti#' or s"!ll. Ofte# i#clu$e$ i# biotite - "!' pro$uce pleochroic h!loes. Cirefr. Lo)er th!# tit!#ite. I# se$i"e#ts r!re $etrit!l gr!i#s i# 9u!rt8ites !#$ other v. "!ture se$i"e#ts.

1/-40, 6ve U#i 6ve

e4tre"e - pi#*' Occ!sio#!l. buff colours &igh1 up to III or$er

8irco#

I,

colourless 2usu!ll'3

1.(.-..01

v. high 6 0

John aithfull "##$

Name

IMS Colour in TS etc. DREE?

RI

Relief

Extinction

Int. Figure

Birefr.

Twinning etc.

Notes

biotite chlorite

I, I,

p!le to $eep gree#ish bro)#, 1.-4-1.:4 or bro)#. leochrois" "o$er!te to stro#g. usu!ll' p!le gree# !#$ 1.-/-1.:5 )e!*l' or #o#-pleochroic 2usu!ll' 1.-/-1.:03 p!le bluish gree# colourless. ,ore =e-rich o#es "ore gree#. ,!' be )e!*l' pleochroic. gree#ish to gree#ish bro)# or bluish gree#. ,!r*e$l' pleochroic. !le gree#-$eep gree# !#$ )e!*l' or #o#-pleochroic 1.:1-1.:-

"o$ 6

0 to cle!v!ge

0-.-

!cti#olite 2!"phibole3 +hor#ble#$e+ 2!"phibole3 cli#op'ro4e#e

lo)-"o$ 0-10 to 6. cle!v!ge R!rel' higher. "o$ 6 10-.0

&igh - p!rtl' "!s*e$ b' $eep colour Ofte# v.lo)-lo)1 up to h!r$ to gre'. Usu!ll' obt!i#. !#o"!lous blue, purple, or bro)#. 50-5-, -ve "o$1 up to "i$ II ?ot u#co""o#. or$er

erfect "ic! cle!v!ge i# "ost sectio#s.. @!r*est )he# cle!v!ge E-E. C!s!l sectio#s h!ve #o cle!v!ge, lo) birefri#ge#ce !#$ little or #o pleochrois". Fer' co""o# i# ig#eous !#$ "et! roc*s1 r!re i# se$s - e!sil' !ltere$ to chlorites G cl!'s. Fer' co""o# i# lo) gr!$e "et!"orphic roc*s, ofte# )ith "uscovite. %lso !s !lter!tio# pro$uct, esp. of biotite, i# "!#' roc*s. Loo*s li*e ! "ic!, but r!ther lo) relief, p!le gree# colour !#$ lo) or !#o"!lous birefri#ge#ce $isti#ctive. Fer' co""o# i# lo)-gr!$e "et!"orphic roc*s. Elo#g!te cr'st!ls, )e!* colour !#$ pleochrois" $isti#guishes fro" hor#ble#$e> epi$ote is "ore 'ello)ish !#$ h!s higher relief. Le#gth slo).

I,

1.:1-1./6

"o$high 6 "o$high 6

10-30

I,

1.::-1./:

v!ri!ble 0

-0-50, -ve "o$1 up to "i$ II ?ot u#co""o#. Colour !#$ pleochrois" usu!ll' 9uite i#te#se. Co""o# i# i#ter"e$i!te ig#eous roc*s, !#$ i# "e$. gr!$e "et! roc*s, esp. "et!b!sites. Colour of "et!. hor#ble#$es ofte# correl!te$ or$er. ,!' be )ith gr!$e1 fro" bluish gree# to gree# to bro)#ish )ith i#cre!si#g gr!$e. . cle!v!ges !t "!s*e$ b' 1.0 $eg o# e#$s of 4ls> 1 o# lo#ger si$e sectio#s. colour. "ostl' "o$-high1 up to ?ot u#co""o#. @eepl' coloure$ v!rieties 2usu!ll' ?!-rich3 i# !l*!li#e roc*s. E4ti#ctio# !#gles higher, !#$ birefri#ge#ce lo)er th!# !egiri#e. !ler gree# v!rieties i# ig#eous roc*s, !#$ i# .0--0. up. II or$er. (0-/0, lo)1 up to I or$er 6ve or -ve re$ ISOTRO IC :0-(0, -ve high1 up to III or$er> so"eti"es !#o"!lous blue. 50-(0, -ve &igh1 up to III or IF or$er.
"et!"orphic roc*s, "!' be =e-rich or Cr-rich. leochroic o#es usu!ll' -ve.

orthop'ro4e#e I, spi#el epi$ote I, I,

p!le gree# to pi#* 1.:/-1./3 "o$pleochrois" high 6 gree#, bro)# or bl!c*. ?ever 1./1- 1.56 high 6 pleochroic. gree#ish 'ello) - colourless !#$ )e!*l' pleochroic. gree#, )ith 'ello)ish or bro)#ish ti#ts. Ee!*l' to stro#gl' pleochroic. HELLOE 'ello) to bro)# or blue pleochroic 'ello)ish gree# - colourless !#$ )e!*l' pleochroic. p!le 'ello) or bro)#ish 'ello)> )e!*l' pleochroic $eep gol$e# 'ello)> to bro)# or bl!c*> "!' be op!9ue. 1./1-1./( 1./4-1.53 high 6 high-v. high

usu!ll' 0 0-:

Tr!#sp!re#t spi#els "!i#l' i# "et! roc*s1 colourless o#es i# "!rbles, coloure$ o#es i# highgr!$e "et!pelites. @eep bro)# Cr-rich o#es i# b!sic !#$ ultr!b!sic roc*s. E9u!#t gr!i#s, isotropic. ,!' rese"ble g!r#et i# TS, but oct!he$r!l h!bit ofte# see#. I# lo) gr!$e "et!"orphic roc*s, esp. "et!b!s!lts, !#$ !s !ccessor' "i#er!l i# gr!#itic roc*s. Ofte# sho)s $isti#ctivel' bright birefri#ge#ce colours )ith p!tch' colour $istributio# Ofte# !cicul!r cr'st!ls, or ri"s o# other gree# p'ro4e#es. &igh birefri#ge#ce !#$ lo) e4ti#ctio# !#gle $isti#ctive. Le#gth f!st 2cf !"phiboles3

!egiri#e I 2cli#op'ro4e#e3

tour"!li#e epi$ote st!urolite rutile

I, I, , I,

1.:1-1./0 1./1-1./( 1./4-1./: ..:0-..(0

"o$high 6 high 6 high 6

0 usu!ll' 0 0

U#i -ve

e4tre"e 0 6

"o$-high1 up to up II or$er. :0-(0, -ve high1 up to III or$er> so"eti"es !#o"!lous blue. 50-(0 6ve lo) 1 up to I Co""o#, but 'ello) r!rel' visible i# thi#-sectio#. U#i, 6 e4tre"e, but "!s*e$ b' colour

%ccessor' "i#er!l i# so"e C-rich "et! roc*s.. leochroic !#$ $!r*est )he# ?-S. <ls elo#g!te )ith curve$ tri!#gul!r 4-sectio#s. Ofte# colour 8o#e$. Le#gth f!st. I# lo) gr!$e "et!"orphic roc*s, esp. "et!b!s!lts, !#$ !s !ccessor' "i#er!l i# gr!#itic roc*s. Ofte# sho)s $isti#ctivel' bright birefri#ge#ce colours )ith p!tch' colour $istirbutio# Restricte$ to "et!pelites. Usu!ll' !s porph'robl!sts, ofte# )ith "!#' 9u!rt8 i#clusio#s. Colour, relief !#$ lo) birefri#ge#ce $isti#ctive. ,!i#l' see# i# co!rse-gr!i#e$ high-pressure "et!"orphic roc*s 2eg eclogites, or *'!#itebe!ri#g3. %lso i# other ig#eous !#$ "et!"orphic roc*s but ofte# !s ti#' gr!i#s, or op!9ue. E4tre"e relief, i#te#se colour !#$ p!r!llel e4ti#ctio# $isti#ctive.

John aithfull "##$

Name

IMS Colour in TS etc. CROE?

RI

Relief

Extinction

Int. Figure

Birefr.

Twinning etc.

Notes

biotite tour"!li#e bro)# !"phibole

I, I, I,

p!le to $eep bro)#, or 1.-4-1.:4 gree#ish bro)#. Stro#gl' pleochroic. bro)# !#$ blue or 'ello)> 1.:1-1./0 "!r*e$l' pleochroic. Usu!ll' $eep bro)# 1.:1-1./: gree#ish bro)# !#$ stro#gl' pleochroic p!le purplish bro)#> "!' be 1.:(-1./4 ver' )e!*l' pleochroic

"o$ 6 "o$high6 "o$high 6 high 6

0 0 0-30

0-.-

!ugite, tit!#i!# I 2cli#op'ro4e#e3 spi#el g!r#et 2"el!#ite3 tit!#ite I, I I,

40-4-

colourless - bro)#, gree# or 1./1- 1.56 high 6 bl!c*. ?ever pleochroic. p!le 'ello)ish-bro)# to $eep 1.5--1.5( bro)# 2ofte# colour 8o#e$3. ?ever pleochroic. p!le bro)# to colourless. 1.5(-..0R!rel' sho)s )e!* pleochrois". bro)# to bl!c*, or $eep gol$e# 'ello)> "!' be !l"ost op!9ue. UR LE, LIL%C or CLUE bluish to purple or colourless. ..:0-..(0 v. high 6 v. high 6

high1 p!rtl' "!s*e$ b' $eep colour. U#i -ve "o$-high1 up to up II or$er. -0-50, -ve "o$- high1 up to III or$er "!s*e$ b' $eep colour c!. :0, "o$1 II or$er> 6ve so"eti"es !#o"!lous colours. ISOTRO IC ISOTRO IC 1/-40, 6

erfect "ic! cle!v!ge i# "ost sectio#s.. C!s!l sectio#s h!ve #o cle!v!ge, lo) birefri#ge#ce !#$ little or #o pleochrois". Fer' co""o# i# ig#eous !#$ "et! roc*s1 r!re i# se$i"e#ts e!sil' !ltere$ to chlorites !#$ cl!'s. leochroic !#$ $!r*est )he# ?-S. <ls elo#g!te or r!$i!ti#g, )ith curve$ tri!#gul!r 4-sectio#s. Ofte# colour 8o#e$. Le#gth f!st. Ei$e r!#ge of co"positio#s1 Ti-rich o#es i# !l*!li#e ig#eous roc*s> =e36 -rich o#es i# !#$esites !#$ b!s!lts. &igh gr!$e "et!"orphic !"phiboles ofte# bro)#. Usu!ll' less pleochroic th!# biotite !#$ sho)s !"phibole cle!v!ges !#$ h!bit1 . cle!v!ges !t 1.0 $eg o# e#$s of 4ls> 1 o# lo#ger si$e sectio#s. % "!Ior "i#er!l i# !l*!li#e b!s!ltic roc*s. @eep coloure$ v!rieties ofte# f!il to e4ti#guish properl' !#$ sho) !#o"!lous bluish or re$$ish colours i#ste!$.

?ot u#co""o#.

?ot u#co""o#> sector 8o#i#g co""o#.

Tr!#sp!re#t spi#els "!i#l' i# "et! roc*s1 colourless o#es i# "!rbles, coloure$ o#es i# highgr!$e "et!pelites. @eep bro)# Cr-rich o#es i# b!sic !#$ ultr!b!sic roc*s. E9u!#t gr!i#s, isotropic. ,!' rese"ble g!r#et i# TS, but oct!he$r!l h!bit ofte# see#. Restricte$ to u#$ers!tur!te$ roc*s eg #epheli#e s'e#ites, c!rbo#!tites !#$ rel!te$ roc*s.

e4tre"e - pi#*' Occ!sio#!l. buff colours e4tre"e, but "!s*e$ b' colour

rutile

I,

e4tre"e 0 6

U#i, 6

I# i#ter"e$i!te !#$ !ci$ ig#eous roc*s, !#$ i# "!#' "et!b!sites. Cr'st!ls co""o# - ofte# $i!"o#$-sh!pe$ rho"bic <-sectio#s see#. E4tre"e relief !#$ birefri#ge#ce $isti#ctive. Lo) birefri#ge#t gr!i#s ofte# $o#Bt e4ti#guish properl' !#$ i#ste!$ go fro" $ull !#o"!lous or!#ge to $ull blue. ,!i#l' see# i# co!rse-gr!i#e$ high-pressure "et!"orphic roc*s 2eg eclogites, or *'!#itebe!ri#g3. %lso i# other ig#eous !#$ "et!"orphic roc*s but ofte# !s ti#' gr!i#s, or op!9ue. E4tre"e relief, colour !#$ p!r!llel e4ti#ctio# $isti#ctive.

fluorite gl!ucoph!#e2!"phibole3 tour"!li#e

IS , I,

1.43

v. high "o$ 6 "o$high6 0-: 0 0--0 -ve. U#i -ve

ISOTRO IC "o$1 up to lo) II or$er "o$-high1 up to up II or$er. ,!' be "!s*e$ b' colour. Lo)-"o$1 but "!s*e$ b' i#te#se colour.

blue to gre'-blue or 1.:0-1.:/ l!ve#$er> )e!*l' to stro#gl' pleochroic blue to bro)#ish-'ello), !#$ 1.:1-1./0 "!r*e$l' pleochroic

Ofte# sho)s purple p!tches or 8o#es $ue to r!$i!tio# $!"!ge. 3 goo$ cle!v!ges "!' be see# !t :0 $eg, or . !t /0 $eg. %s ! l!te "i#er!l i# gr!#ites> !lso ! ce"e#t i# s!#$sto#es, or i# voi$s i# li"esto#e. &igh -ve relief, colour !#$ isotrop' $isti#ctive. Restricte$ to high , lo)-T "et!"orphic roc*s. Ao#i#g co""o#. Colour co"pletel' $isti#ctive. Le#gth slo). !le colours "!' be best see# e4!"i#i#g TS b' h!#$. <ls "!' h!ve ri"s of "ore gree#ish !cti#olite or hor#ble#$e. leochroic !#$ $!r*est )he# ?-S. <ls elo#g!te or r!$i!ti#g, )ith curve$ tri!#gul!r 4-sectio#s. Ofte# colour 8o#e$. Le#gth f!st. I# gr!#ites !#$ "et!pelites.

?! !"phiboles I

i#*' blue-bl!c* to "u$$' bro)#> "!r*e$l' pleochroic

1.:1-1./1

"o$ high 6

usu!ll' J 30 v!ri!ble to lo#g -ve or cle!v!ge 6ve.

Usu!ll' i# ig#eous roc*s1 i#lcu$es riebec*ite !#$ !rfve$so#ite !"phiboles. Ofte# poi*ilitic pl!tes r!ther th!# euhe$r!l 4ls. I#te#se i#*' blue colours co"pletel' $isti#ctive.

John aithfull "##$

Name

IMS Colour in TS etc. RE@ or I?7

RI

Relief

Extinction

Int. Figure

Birefr.

Twinning etc.

Notes

g!r#et

I,

pi#*ish to colourless. ?ever pleochroic. p!le gree#-pi#* pleocrois" "!' be $eep bloo$-re$, or op!9ue. v. p!le pi#* to colourless 2pleochroic3 %LTER%TIO? RO@UCTS

orthop'ro4e#e I, he"!tite !#$!lusite I, ,

1./4-1.5. for re$ g!r#ets 1.:/-1./3 ..(-3.. 1.:3-1.::

v. high 6 "o$high 6 0

ISOTRO IC

i#* g!r#ets i# "et!b!sites !#$ "et!pelites. Cr'st!ls rou#$e$ or e9u!#t - if )ell-for"e$ "!' h!ve : or 5 si$es i# thi# sectio#. ,!' h!ve 8o#es or tr!ils rich i# i#lcusio#s of 9u!rt8, biotite etc, )hich "!' sho) S or A sh!pes. Sh!pe, isotrop', !#$ relief $isti#ctive. leochroic o#es usu!ll' bi!4i!l -ve. leochrois" i#visible to re$-gree# colour bli#$ perso#s. I# tholeiitic b!s!lts, !#$esites !#$ pluto#ic e9uiv!le#ts, !#$ i# high-gr!$e "et!b!sites, or r!rel' pelites. ?or"!ll' op!9ue i# TS - gr!i#s "!' be $eep re$ o# thi# e$ges. ,!i#l' i# schists, !#$ !s seco#$!r' "i#er!l i# "!#' other roc*s. Restricte$ to lo)- "et!pelites. Cr'st!ls usu!ll' elo#g!te, )ith #e!rl' s9u!re <-sectio#. +chi!stolite+ v!riet' h!s cross-li*e i#clusio#s i# e#$ sectio#s. &!bit, lo) birefri#ge#ce !#$ str!ight e4ti#ctio# $isti#ctive. Le#gth f!st.

(0-/0, lo)1 up to I 6ve or -ve or$er 'ello) or re$. v. high 6 h!r$ to see, h!r$ to h!r$ to see see "o$0 /0-(0, -ve lo)1 up to high 6 )hite.

+sericite+ +i$$i#gsite+ +serpe#ti#e+ +ur!lite+ +leuco4e#e+

I,S turbi$ p!le gre'ish or p!le bro)#ish I $eep 'ello) to 'ello)-bro)# I, I, I, colourless p!le gree# ver' i#te#se turbi$ gre' or gre'ish bro)# -

high1 II-III or$er high1 II-III or$er lo)1 up to gre' or )hite "o$1 up to "i$ II or$er e4tre"e, but h!r$ to see $ue to fi#e gr!i# si8e. -

=i#e gr!i#e$ "ic! repl!ci#g other !lu"i#osilic!tes, esp. fel$sp!rs. Ofte# i# p!rticul!r 8o#es i# pl!giocl!ses. Co!rse#s i#to "uscovite-li*e fl!*es )ith high birefri#ge#ce. @eep 'ello) -bro)# highl' birefri#ge#t repl!ce"e#t of olivi#e, esp. i# l!v!s. ,!' be overgro)# b' l!ter fresh olivi#e. Repl!ces olivi#e., ofte# !s #et)or* of vei#s or cr!c*s. %ssoci!tio#, ver' lo) relief !#$ fl!*', #et-li*e or fibrous gre' birefri#ge#ce $isti#ctive. #!"e give# to fibrous p!le gree# !"phibole usu!ll' repl!ci#g p'ro4e#e i# !ltere$ ig#eous roc*s. The over!ll sh!pe of the ig#eous gr!i#s is preserve$ $uri#g repl!ce"e#t. %l)!'s pseu$o"orphs =e-Ti o4i$es, especi!ll' il"e#ite. Occurs i# !ltere$ $olerites !#$ g!bbros.

+li"o#ite+

I,S $eep bro)#, #e!rl' op!9ue

Usu!ll' fi#e-gr!i#e$ ver' $!r* bro)# cru$ or st!i# !rou#$ other =e "i#er!ls, or filli#g cr!c*s.

John aithfull "##$

emem'er! the tables on previous pages give only a slection of the more common minerals. )rief properties of a few additional minerals are given below. 9ou may wish to cross reference these to fuller descriptions in your favourite te(tbook. Some additional colourless igneous minerals!
leucite! "feldspathoid$ moderate 0ve relief< very low dark grey birefringence shows comple( twinning, a bit like microcline. =henocrysts in ultra0potassic lavas. >nce seen never forgotten. sodalite! "feldspathoid$ low0mod 0ve relief. Isotropic. ;uhedral (ls or irreg. grains in 1a0rich syenites and trachytes. >ften blue in hand specimens. cancrinite! "feldspathoid$ low0mod 0ve relief. Irregular or slighly elongate grains with nepheline. Mod. )irefr! up to mid II order 0 bright for such an inconspicuous colourless mineral. Common minor phase in nepheline syenites. sanidine! "feldspar$ low 0ve relief. ?ls usually clear. )irefr. low! up to pale grey. ;(tinction parallel to cleavage, but not to long (l sides. %6 low! ,0#% 0ve. Carlsbad twins common. 8sually phenocrysts in trachytes and rhyolites. anorthoclase! "feldspar$ low 0ve relief. )irefr. 4ow! up to pale grey. %6 ., 0ve "only feldspar like this$< may show very fine grained cross0hatched twinning "like microcline$. =henocrysts in alkaline lavas etc. melilite! mod @ve relief. 4ath0like (ls "like plagioclase shape$, often with indented sides. 4ow birefr., often anomalous blue. =arallel e(tinction. 8nia(ial 0ve. In Si0deficient igneous rocks, with nepheline, augite, olivine, leucite, perovskite phlogopite! "mica$ moderate @ve relief< platy, perfect cleavage< colourless to pale brown, slightly pleochroic. III order birefringence. =arallel e(tinction. Mostly in meta limestones, plus A0 rich ultrabasic igneous rocks. &ollastonite! mod0high @ve relief. Columnar or fibrous aggregates. )irefr up to I order orange. ;(tinction parallel "cf tremolite$. *are in igneous rocks! in carbonatites and some iBolites. topa(! mod0high @ve relief. 8sually anhedral in TS. )irefr like uartC, but %6 .,. # perfect cleavage. 'ranites and rhyolites, with tourmaline, fluorite and muscovite. pigeonite! "clinopyro(ene$ mod0high @ve relief. Stout prismatic (ls in tholeiitic basalts and andesites, also irregular grains in gabbros and dolerites. May invert to op( host with cp( lamellae or blebs. )irefr. mod! up to II order. %6 low! ,0+, "distinctive$. >ften twinned. ;(tinction angle %,0+, to cleavage. mona(ite! high @ve relief. 8sually small or tiny stout prismatic (ls looking like titanite. )irefr. 8p to I6 order, but may be very low due to radiation damage. Dispersion r E v on isogyres "cf titanite r F v$. In granites and carbonatites.

Some additional colourless metamorphic minerals!

scapolite! low0mod @ve relief. Columnar (ls or poikilitic plates. )irefr. up to mid II order "high for an inconspicuous mineral$. ;(tinction parallel to (ls or cleavage. 8nia(ial 0ve. Metabasites and marbles. talc! low0mod @ve relief. 4ooks like mica 0 perfect cleavage. Gigh birefr. up to III order. Gard to tell from muscovite, but assocd with Mg rich minerals, and soapy in hand specimen. phlogopite! "mica$ moderate @ve relief< platy, perfect cleavage< colourless to pale brown, slightly pleochroic. III order birefringence. =arallel e(tinction. Mostly in meta limestones, plus A0 rich ultrabasic igneous rocks. )adeite! "clinopyro(ene$ mod0high @ve. 'ranular or fibrous aggregates, or rough grains. 'ood (ls very rare. )irefr, mod! up to mid II order. ;(tinction up to ++ to cleavage. %6 H, @ve. In high0pressure "blueschist2eclogite facies$ meta rocks. la&sonite! *elief mod @ ve. >ften as late euhedral rhomb0shaped or rectangular porphyroblasts, often inlcusion rich, in blueschists. May resemble colourless epidote, bit lower birefringence! up to mid II order. (oisite! "epidote group$ relief high @ve. ;longate grains or aggregates. # cleavage along length. =arallel e(tinction. 1ormally shows deep blue anomalous interference colour. In metabasites and metacalcareous rocks. clino(oisite! "epidote group$ relief high @ve. ;longate grains or aggregates. # cleavage along length. =arallel e(tinction. )irefringence anomalous! blue0grey and greenish yellow "hard to describe, but easy to remember once seen$. Mostly in metabasites and metacalcareous rocks. wollastonite! vesuvianite!
John aithfull "##$

siderite! prehnite! pumpellyite! pectolite! Ceolite! gypsum! barite! anhydrite! corundum! *elief high to v. high @ve. =rismatic, tabular or skeletal crystals common. May have faint blue, yellow or pink Cones. *hombohedral parting2cleavage common. )irefr. weak, but often up to low II order due to e(tra thickness of ultra0hard corundum (ls. =arallel e(tinction in long (ls. Twinning common. 8nia(ial 0ve. In hornfelses, high grade pelites and syenitic gneisses. green sediments! glauconite, chamosite green metamorphic! Badeite, pumpellyite, chloritoid 'ro&n igneous! perovskite, allanite 'ro&n metamorphic! stilpnomelane 'ro&n sediments! siderite, sphalerite yello&! monaCite, siderite,corundum, piemontite 'lue! corundum red*pink! piemontite, corundum opa ues general guide to pyro(enes general guide to amphiboles staining and carbonates "ferroan calcite, Mg0calcite, dolomite, aragonite etc..$.

John aithfull "##$