Introduction to Optical Mineralogy [Hardcover]

William D. Nesse (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195060245 | ISBN-13: 978-0195060249 | Publication Date: February 21, 1991 | Edition: 2

This is an ideal textbook for both advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It contains valuable coverage of the optical properties of minerals, as well as up-to-date descriptions of common rock-forming minerals. The chapters on optical theory include discussions of the nature and properties of light, the petrographic microscope, and the behavior of light in isotropic materials and in uniaxial and biaxial anisotropic materials. Thoroughly revised to include recent developments in the field, the book includes step-by-step procedures to guide students through the determination of all optical properties by which minerals are routinely identified with a petrographic microscope. Readers will find descriptive information on over 125 common rock forming minerals, and many photomicrographs and illustrations. The book also includes a flow sheet to guide students through the process of identifying an unknown mineral.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From reviews of the first edition: "Well written; the text makes the concepts readily understandable. Abundant well-labeled line diagrams, which closely complement the text, are present in all chapters . . . .Step-by-step procedures for the measurement of optical properties of minerals in thin section as well as grain mounts are outlined in detail . . . . To those teaching an introductory course in optical mineralogy or a petrology course involving thin-section work, I strongly recommend this book." --Geology

"It is clearly an attractive proposition to the undergraduate, who can obtain one textbook for two courses . . . .Nesse's book is profusely illustrated with well-designed and clearly-drawn diagrams, from which a student working on his own could learn a great deal." Times Higher Education Supplement

"Nesse has combined a generally non-technical style of prose with a profuse use of well conceived illustrations to provide highly readable explanations of most aspects of light transmission through minerals." --Journal of Geological Education

"This book represents an attempt to combine crystallography and optical mineralogy into one handy volume . . . . The author should be complemented for his success in achieving a good balance between two subjects while keeping the volume down to a reasonable and affordable size . . . . This practical book will serve very well as an introductory-level textbook." --American Mineralogist

"Fills a long-felt need for a brief text on microscopial optics containing adequate descriptions of a reasonable selections of actual minerals." --American Journal of Science

"A first class textbook aimed at a specific audience, and I recommend it for introductory optical mineralogy." --Geological Sciences

"An excellent book with many clear diagrams to aid the text . . . . Certainly teachers will find it a useful tool." --Applied Optics

"This book makes a very welcome addition to the current list of optical mierology texts. The organization of the book follows a clear logical path. The introductory sections are very clear, and excellent use has been made of diagrams and photographs. The pace is about right for most students and the course is well graded in terms of increasing complexity. Particularly attractive are the 'cut-away' diagrams illustrating extinction in various sections through different minerals in chapters 6 and 7. I find this one of the best available textbooks on introductory optical minerology - it is easy to read, beautifully illustrated and factually satisfying." --Geological Magazine

"Nesse's book has a central role for the undergraduate curriculum in most geology departments in the United States. [It] is already excellent. It should be considered strongly for adoption as a required text for mineralogic and petrologic optics by al undergraduate geology departments." --American Minerologist

"This book makes a very welcome addition to the current list of optical mineralogy texts. The organization of the book follows a clear logical path. The introductory sections are very clear, and excellent use has been made of diagrams and photographs. The pace is about right for most students and the course is well graded in terms of increasing complexity. Particularly attractive are the 'cut-away' diagrams illustrating extinction in various sections through different minerals in chapters 6 and 7. I find this one of the best available textbooks on introductory optical mineralogy - it is easy to read, beautifully illustrated and factually satisfying." --Geological Magazine

About the Author

William D. Nesse, Professor of Geology, University of Northern Colorado.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (February 21, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195060245
• ISBN-13: 978-0195060249
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #458,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Geochemistry
  • #89 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Mineralogy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good undergrad college textbook for optical mineralogy., November 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Introduction to Optical Mineralogy (Hardcover)

Remarkably lucid yet accurate presentation of a subject often found difficult by students.

The first third of the text deals with the properties of light, the use and care of the petrographic microscope, and the optical properties of minerals and how to use these to identify mineral grains in thin sections.

Much of the text contains detailed descriptions of the commoner rock-forming minerals from the standpoint of the petrographer. Descriptive diagrams and photographs, and capitalized section headings, separated paragraphs, and all typeface (font) easy to read. Paper is quality glossy and easy to use.

Appendices include Identification Tables based upon various optical properties, tables which have proved their use to students taking the course. Also includes the standard fold-up Interference Color Chart, on quality glossy paper, and on its reverse a table of birefringence versus relief (difference in refractive index).

The author retains consideration for students, including photos of such non-minerals as may confuse the tyro, such as textile fibers, bubbles, and grinding compound, all of which get into thin sections (petrographic slides).

Excellently laid out and organized, it also contains a good Index. This text was written for college students taking petrography and optical mineralogy, and has been kept, rather than sold, even by some students who never expect to use a petrographic microscope again. College instructors take notice, as for a junior to senior level petrography course this text probably rates a 9 or a 10. [DMM]

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A student's view, February 5, 2000

By 

Duncan (Sudbury, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Optical Mineralogy (Hardcover)

As a student of Geology, I have used Nesse as my bible for all petrology courses. It is complete, comprehensive and easy to use. A must for all geologists, student or not.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good standard reference material, November 14, 2007

By 

B. Seubert (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Optical Mineralogy (Hardcover)

A well written and illustrated textbook on the subject matter. It is exactly what it wants to be: An introduction. And it is a good one. Wide and detailed enough to give the beginner a good handle of "what optical mineralogy is all about" without going into too much detail of purely academic issues. Good balance of theory and examples.
The illustrations are plenty, rich and very instructive. However, minor improvements may be possible by replacing some of the black&white illustrations with updated colour graphics, in particular the microphotographs.