Minerals in Thin Sections [Spiral-bound]

Dexter Perkins (Author), Kevin R. Henke (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130109975 | ISBN-13: 978-0130109972 | Publication Date: June 21, 1999 | Edition: Spi

From the author of Mineralogy comes a concise, straightforward, and balanced presentation of the theory and techniques of optical mineralogy for mineral identification. Designed for students to have on hand in the laboratory, Minerals in Thin Section is the perfect supplement for mineralogy, optical mineralogy, and petrography courses. Includes: Part I: Theoretical Considerations--discussing the interaction of minerals and light, the properties of minerals in thin section, and the most practical aspects of optical mineralogy Part II: Identifying Minerals in Thin Sections--describing in detail the most common and significant or special minerals (a complete list can be found inside the back cover), including: name, formula, occurrence, distinguishing features, similar minerals, properties and interference figures, color, form, cleavage, relief, interference colors, extinction and orientation, ant twinning. Box 2 (inside front endpaper) provides a straightforward process users can follow in order to determine a mineral's properties. Contains 32 pages of color photographs, including at least one for each of the 58 minerals described in detail, to illustrate the minerals in thin sections and to help students with mineral identification Appendices--containing additional information on: Common Opaque Minerals; Isotropic Minerals Ordered by Refractive Index; Uniaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index; Biaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index; Minerals Ordered by Interference Colors and Sorted by Optic System and Optic Sign; and a Alphabetical List of Minerals and Mineral Properties

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Preface

Several good optical mineralogy and optical crystallography books are presently available. Over the years, however, we have found the need for a shorter book appropriate for students in mineralogy or petrology classes, and for routine petrographic work. They need a good, short, and straightforward reference book to use when they look at thin sections in the laboratory. We hope this book fills that need.

We have included a limited discussion of the theoretical aspects of optical crystallography and have emphasized the practical aspects. So this book may be appropriate for instructors who teach abbreviated optical mineralogy courses. We have included detailed discussions of about 60 of the most important rockforming minerals, and we include appendices that list properties of a larger number of minerals. We have also included 32 pages of color photos (including at least one for most of the minerals we describe in detail) to illustrate minerals in thin sections and to help students with mineral identification. For those who want more in-depth information, we have listed some excellent references at the end of Part 1.

Many people contributed to this book. In particular we are indebted to Mickey E. Gunter (University of Idaho), Jennifer A. Thomson (Eastern Washington University), and Edward F Stoddard (North Carolina State University) for helpful reviews. Although we didn't make all the changes they suggested, we made many of them and the manuscript was much improved.

If you have any comments about this book, feel free to e-mail me at [e-mail].

From the Back Cover

Includes:

• Part I: Theoretical Considerations—discussing the interaction of minerals and light, the properties of minerals in thin section, and the most practical aspects of optical mineralogy
• Part II: Identifying Minerals in Thin Sections—describing in detail the most common and significant or special minerals (a complete list can be found inside the back cover), including: name, formula, occurrence, distinguishing features, similar minerals, properties and interference figures, color, form, cleavage, relief, interference colors, extinction and orientation, ant twinning. Box 2 (inside front endpaper) provides a straightforward process users can follow in order to determine a mineral's properties. Contains 32 pages of color photographs, including at least one for each of the 58 minerals described in detail, to illustrate the minerals in thin sections and to help students with mineral identification
• Appendices—containing additional information on: Common Opaque Minerals; Isotropic Minerals Ordered by Refractive Index; Uniaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index; Biaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index; Minerals Ordered by Interference Colors and Sorted by Optic System and Optic Sign; and a Alphabetical List of Minerals and Mineral Properties

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 125 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; Spi edition (June 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130109975
• ISBN-13: 978-0130109972
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,638,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars an ok guide for introductory petrology, August 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Minerals in Thin Sections (Spiral-bound)

This spiral bound manual serves as a nice companion to Petrology lab work. The color photographs of thin sections are the strong point of the manual. The organization, however, is the weak point. I find myself having to look up each mineral in the index in order to find it in the book --there does not seem to be any logical organization to the entries. Like I said, the photos are very helpful, but be prepared to spend time hunting for what you're looking for.

3.0 out of 5 stars Minerals In Thin Section, October 28, 2010

By 

Derek Jarrels - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minerals in Thin Sections (Spiral-bound)

My colleagues have the newer version to this and upon comparison I have found that this version is complete, but poorly organized. Definitely useful, but anyone that needs it as a speedy reference will need to tab or label the pages because the book does not even contain page numbers. Overall....I would stick to this version due to the massive savings. I spent 7.00 whereas my colleagues spent nearly 50.00 on the newer version that contains the same exact images, but is just better put together.