The chemical formula of mineral Zuenerite is indicated by the formula Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 – 10-16H2O or Hydrated Copper Uranyl Arsenate. Zuenerite is actually a Phosphate mineral. It is considered as a minor ore of Uranium and it is also considered as mineral specimen. Zuenerite was named after G.A. Zuener, a German physicist. The pseudocubic crystals of […]

The chemical formula of mineral Zincite is indicated by ZnO or Zinc Oxide. Zincite is actually classified under the Oxide and Hydroxide mineral class. Zincite is actually considered as an ore of zinc and it is also most commonly used as mineral specimen. Zincite can be fund in several localities around the world. It is […]

Take for example a thin section of quartz cut at right angles to its c-axis. Then the sample is placed in convergent polarized light of petrographic polarizing microscope used in optical mineralogy. The rays of light pass through the section at oblique angles and are polarized into two rays. The ordinary rays must vibrate in […]

In the field of optical mineralogy, a small chip of rock or mineral is sampled, or a thin slice that is a few millimeters thick is cut from the specimen using a diamond saw. The chip or slice is ground flat and smooth on one surface using progressively finer abrasive, e.g. carborundum powder, starting with […]

A standard thin section is highly irregular in detail. The boundaries between adjacent grains are not generally vertical and may be stepped or curved. The top and bottom surfaces of the section are not polished but pitted and grooved to some degree. If there is a difference in the refractive index between mineral and cement, […]

BECKE LINE TEST
 
            Evaluating the mineral sample under plane-polarized light of petrographic polarizing microscope used in optical mineralogy as used in observing relief, the low- or moderate-relief minerals concentrate light as a thin bright white line along their margins. This line, as described in the field of optical mineralogy is called the Becke line, will […]

In optical mineralogy, if sediments are easily disaggregated, it is customary to spread the grains on a glass slide. This is often after the grains have been mechanically sorted according to grain size and density as measured. They are soon immersed in Canada balsam, or less permanently in some liquid. The mount is usually covered […]

The chemical symbol for the elemental zinc is indicated by Zn. Native Zinc is actually classified under the Native Elements mineral class. There are so many applications for the metal zinc. Native Zinc is actually a rare mineral. Although Native Zinc is found in several locations, it is never found in great abundance. The Native […]

In the field of optical mineralogy, it is customary to first examine the rock and mineral samples under the petrographic polarizing microscope either as very thin section or as very fine grains. This is for the reason that many minerals are not transparent except as very small grains. Optical mineralogy further made some standard procedures […]

The chemical formula of mineral Menaccanite is indicated by (FeTi)2O2 or Iron Titanium Oxide. Menacannite is usually found as irregular masses. It has no crystallographic outline but sometimes can be found forming rhombohedral crystals or skeleton-like growths that appears very interesting when viewed under polarizing microscope used in optical mineralogy. it is most commonly found […]