Minerals in thin section
Plane- and cross-polarized light properties for 34 common minerals, with tips for telling look-alikes apart and links to real photomicrographs.
Framework silicate
Feldspar
K-feldspar
Mica
Phyllosilicate
Amphibole
Clinopyroxene
Orthopyroxene
Nesosilicate
Carbonate
Sorosilicate
Aluminosilicate
Cyclosilicate
Accessory
Feldspathoid
Glass
Oxides / sulfides
Sources
OpticMin, ATHENA, Univ. of Geneva (P. Perroud) · Alex Strekeisen thin-section collection · Distinguishing features of minerals (UT Arlington) · MIT OCW 12.109 amphibole lab · SEPM Strata: carbonate staining · Wikipedia mineral pages (infobox optical data) · Athabasca University rocks and minerals · Smith College petrography: perthite