Mineralogy

568 Pages·91.757 MB·English

by  Perkins, Dexter

Pearson New International Edition

Mineralogy
Dexter Perkins
Third Edition
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P E A R S O N C U S T O M L I B R AR Y
Table of Contents
Glossary
Dexter Perkins 1
1. Elements and Minerals
Dexter Perkins 23
2. Crystallization and Classification of Minerals
Dexter Perkins 47
Crystallization and Classification of Minerals Color Plates
Dexter Perkins 67
3. Mineral Properties: Hand Specimen Mineralogy
Dexter Perkins 69
Mineral Properties: Hand Specimen Mineralogy Color Plates
Dexter Perkins 95
4. Optical Mineralogy
Dexter Perkins 101
Optical Mineralogy Color Plates
Dexter Perkins 129
5. Igneous Rocks and Silicate Minerals
Dexter Perkins 133
Igneous Rocks and Silicate Minerals Color Plates
Dexter Perkins 167
6. Sedimentary Minerals and Sedimentary Rocks
Dexter Perkins 171
Sedimentary Minerals and Sedimentary Rocks Color Plates
Dexter Perkins 189
7. Metamorphic Minerals and Metamorphic Rocks
Dexter Perkins 191
I
222223333444555555511337014678922334455779359379735937133
Metamorphic Minerals and Metamorphic Rocks Color Plates
Dexter Perkins 215
8. Ore Deposits and Economic Minerals
Dexter Perkins 217
Ore Deposits and Economic Minerals Color Plates
Dexter Perkins 237
9. Crystal Morphology and Symmetry
Dexter Perkins 239
10. Crystallography
Dexter Perkins 273
11. Unit Cells, Points, Lines, and Planes
Dexter Perkins 305
12. X-ray Diffraction and Mineral Analysis
Dexter Perkins 319
13. Atomic Structure
Dexter Perkins 343
Descriptions of Minerals
Dexter Perkins 367
Descriptions of Minerals Color Plates
Dexter Perkins 479
Appendix: Classified List of Minerals
Dexter Perkins 487
Appendix: Mineral Identification Tables
Dexter Perkins 493
Appendix: Minerals Separated by Optic System and Sign, and Ordered by Index of Refraction
Dexter Perkins 525
Appendix: Minerals Ordered by Birefringence and Interference Colors in Thin Section
Dexter Perkins 529
Appendix: Minerals Ordered by Hardness
Dexter Perkins 533
Appendix: Minerals Ordered by Specific Gravity
Dexter Perkins 537
Coordination Numbers and Effective Ionic Radii
Dexter Perkins 541
List of Mineral Properties
Dexter Perkins 543
Periodic Table of the Elements
Dexter Perkins 553
II
555
Index 555
III
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GLOSSARY
Absolute hardness. A numerical measure of a mineral’s Andesite. An extrusive igneous rock of intermediate com-
hardness; typically determined by indentation measurements position containing plagioclase as the only major feldspar;
(c.f.relative hardness). minor K-feldspar or quartz, pyroxene, biotite, and horn-
blende may be present.
Accessory mineral. A mineral present in small amounts in
a rock, unimportant for rock naming or classification. Angle of incidence. The angle that an impinging ray
makes with a normal to an interface.
Accessory plate. A plate that may be inserted in the tube
of a polarizing light microscope to produce interference Angle of refraction. The angle that a refracted ray makes
colors of known birefringence. Typically made of quartz, with a normal to an interface.
gypsum, or mica.
Anhedral. A crystal that lacks well-developed crystal faces
Acicular. Having a needle-like shape. or that has rounded or irregular form due to crowding by
adjacent crystals.
Actinide. Elements (such as Th, Pa, and U) with atomic
numbers 90 through 103 and valence electrons in 5f Anion. An ion having a negative charge.
orbitals.
Anionic complex. A tightly bonded, negatively charged
Acute bisectrix. A line bisecting the angle formed by the molecular group; in mineral formulas, often surrounded by
two optic axes in a biaxial mineral. parentheses.
Acute bisectrix figure (Bxa). The interference figure seen Anisodesmic. Describing an ionic compound in which the
when looking down an acute bisectrix. ionic bonds are not all of the same strength.
Adamantine. A type of luster that is bright, sparkly, and Anisotropic. Having different physical properties in differ-
shiny, similar to that of diamonds. ent directions.
Aggregate (of crystals). A mass of crystals, of the same or Anomalous interference colors. Interference colors that
different minerals, that may be physically separated, per- are not represented on the Michel Lévy Chart; typically as-
haps with some difficulty. sociated with minerals of extremely low birefringence,
such as chlorite.
Albite law. A common twin law in triclinic feldspars, often
resulting in polysynthetic twins. Aphanitic. Having no mineral grains that are visible to the
naked eye.
Alchemy. Chemistry of the Middle Ages that combined sci-
ence, magic, and philosophy. Aqueous solution. A water-rich solution, usually contain-
ing dissolved elements or complexes.
Alkali element. Any element (such as Li, Na, or K) of the
Arborescent. A term describing an aggregate of crystals
first group in the Periodic Table of the Elements; alkali ele-
having a tree-like appearance (see alsodendritic).
ments typically ionize to form monovalent cations.
Arenite. General term for detrital sedimentary rocks com-
Alkaline earth element. Any element (such as Be, Mg, or
posed of sand-sized grains and lithic fragments; includes sand-
Ca) of the second group in the Periodic Table of the
stone, graywacke, arkose, and others (see alsopsammite).
Elements; alkaline earth elements typically ionize to form
divalent cations. Arkose. A feldspar-rich sandstone.
Allochromatic. A term describing a mineral that gets its Asbestiform. A crystal habit characterized by fine thread-
color from minor or trace elements (see alsoidiochromatic). like, fibrous, or acicular crystals; more specifically, some-
times defined as a crystal habit with a length:diameter ratio
Alloy. A noncrystalline mixture of two or more metals.
of more than 3:1.
Alluvium. Unconsolidated sediment deposited by a stream.
Asbestos. A general term referring to minerals that have an
Amorphous. Having a random atomic structure (see also asbestiform habit; chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite are
noncrystalline). typical asbestos minerals.
Amphibolite (facies). One of the principal metamorphic Association (mineral). A group of minerals found to-
facies introduced by Eskola, corresponding to high-grade gether in a rock.
conditions of about 450 to 650 °C and 3 to 8 kbar.
Asterism. The play of colors seen in some minerals that
Amphibolite (rock). A metamorphic rock containing pri- produces a rayed or star-shaped figure when viewed in di-
marily hornblende and plagioclase. rect light; a star sapphire is one example.
Analyzer. A polarizing filter that can be inserted in the Atmophile. An element that tends to concentrate in the
upper column of a polarizing light microscope to view Earth’s atmosphere.
minerals under crossed-polarized light (see also upper
Atomic absorption spectrophotometer. An analytical
polarizer).
instrument in which composition is determined by measur-
Anatexis. Partial melting of preexisting rock, generally as- ing the absorption of characteristic wavelengths of light by
sociated with high-grade metamorphism. an atomized and flamed sample.
From the Glossary of Mineralogy, Third Edition, Dexter Perkins. Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. Published by
Pearson Prentice Hall. All rights reserved.
1
Glossary
Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). A technique for Bauxite. Name given to a rock or a mineral-like material
determining the concentration of a particular element in a sam- composed primarily of a mixture of aluminum oxides and
ple that is based on light absorption by an atomized sample. hydroxides such as boehmite and gibbsite; bauxite is the
most significant aluminum ore.
Atomic mass unit (amu). Unit for expressing atomic
mass, equal to approximately 1.6610 ×10-27kg. Baveno twin. An uncommon twin law in feldspar.
Atomic number (Z). The number of protons in the Becke line. A bright line, visible under a microscope, that
nucleus of an atom of an element. separates substances of different refractive indices.
Atomic weight. The weight of an atom or compound in Bentonite. A clay-rich, earthy material formed by devitri-
atomic mass units; generally close to the total number of fication and alteration of tuff or volcanic ash; sometimes
protons and neutrons. used more generally to refer to any clay deposit rich in
montmorillonite.
Aufbau principle. The principle that states that electrons
fill orbitals in a systematic way from the lowest energy Berman balance. A type of balance scale used to deter-
orbitals to the highest. mine specific gravity.
Augen. Large lenticular mineral grains or mineral aggre- Bertrand lens. A lens that can be inserted in the tube of
a polarizing light microscope to facilitate observation of in-
gates in a foliated metamorphic rock.
terference figures.
Augen gneiss. A gneiss containing augen.
Biaxial. Describing a crystal having two optic axes and
Aureole. A contact metamorphic zone surrounding an three principal indices of refraction (α, β, and γ). Such
igneous intrusion (see alsocontact aureole).
crystals belong to the orthorhombic, monoclinic, and tri-
Authigenic. Formed or generated in place; used to de- clinic crystal systems.
scribe minerals that form in a sediment or sedimentary Binary solution. A solid solution series that can be char-
rock after deposition of an original sediment. acterized by two end members.
Avogadro’s number. 6.022 * 1023, equivalent to the Biogenic. Produced by living organisms or biological
number of atoms or molecules in a mole. processes.
Axial ratio The ratio of unit cell lengths along each crys- Birefringence (property). The property of a crystal that
tallographic axis, a: b: c. causes double refraction.
Axis (crystallographic). One of three axes used to de- Birefringence (value). The difference between the great-
scribe the geometry of a crystal lattice and the locations of est and least indices of refraction of a crystalline substance.
points and planes in a unit cell.
Bladed. Having the appearance of blades.
Axis (rotational). A symmetry element that relates iden-
Blocky. A term used to describe crystals that have a
tical crystal faces or other things by rotation of 60°, 90°,
block-like appearance, generally with a nearly square
120°, 180°, or 360°about an axis.
cross section.
Backscatter electrons. High-energy electrons that are es-
Blueschist (facies). One of the principal metamorphic fa-
sentially reflected by the surface of a sample.
cies introduced by Eskola, corresponding to high pressure–
Banded iron formation (BIF). A layered rock contain- low temperature conditions.
ing chert, silicate, carbonate, or oxide layers, giving a Blueschist facies series. A facies series characterized by
banded appearance. high pressures at relatively low temperatures; typical of
Barrovian facies series. The “normal” metamorphic facies subduction zone environments.
:
series described by George Barrow; the most common se- Blueschist (rock). A vague term used to describe fine- y y
r g
quence of metamorphic rocks that forms at mid-crustal depths. grained, bluish colored rocks diagnostic of the blueschist sa alo
Basal cleavage. A term used to describe the cleavage in facies. Key minerals include blue amphiboles (glauco- s er
minerals such as micas that allows the mineral to break phane and riebeckite), lawsonite, jadeite, and aragonite. Glo Min
into plates or sheets. Body centered. Said of a unit cell that has an extra lattice
Basalt. An extrusive igneous rock of mafic composition point at its center.
containing plagioclase as the only major feldspar; clinopy- Body diagonal. A line passing through the center of a
roxene ; orthopyroxene ; olivine are typically present cube or other three-dimensional geometric shape and con-
(see alsogabbro). necting opposite corners.
Basement rock. Metamorphic and igneous rocks that Bohr model of the atom. A fundamental model of an
underlie sediments and sedimentary rocks observed at Earth’s atom that describes electrons orbiting atomic nuclei in or-
surface; often, though not exclusively, of Precambrian age. bits associated with specific energy levels.
Basis. A sufficient set of symmetry operators for describ- Bomb. A laboratory reactor vessel used to conduct exper-
ing the symmetry of crystals (point symmetry) or of atomic iments and synthesize gems and minerals at high pressure
structures (space symmetry). and temperature.
Batholith. A large mass of intrusive igneous rock that so- Bort. Diamond of low quality that is unsuitable as a gem
lidified within the earth. but useful in industrial applications.
2
Glossary
Botryoidal. A term used to describe a mineral habit that Cathode ray tube. Vacuum tube in which beams of high-
appears like a bunch of grapes. energy electrons pass through magnetic fields and hit a
fluorescent screen.
Boule. A oblong-shaped synthetic mineral crystal that is
produced from the Verneuil technique. Cation. An ion having a positive charge.
Bowen’s reaction series. A hypothetical series that de- Cementation. Lithification of clastic sediments resulting
scribes the order of crystallization of minerals from a from the deposition or precipitation of minerals in the
magma. spaces between individual clastic grains; it may occur at
the time of deposition or during diagenesis.
Bragg law. A mathematical law that describes the rela-
tionship between the angle of diffraction (θ), X-ray wave- Centered. Said of a unit cell that has (an) extra lattice
length (λ), and atomic plane spacing (d); nλ=2dsinθ. point(s) at its center, in the center of its faces, or in the
center of two opposing faces.
Bravais lattices. The fourteen possible three-dimensional
lattices that can describe mineral structures. Chain silicates. Silicate minerals characterized by SiO
4
tetrahedra joining to form chains either one tetrahedron or
Brazil law. A common type of twinning in quartz.
two tetrahedra wide (see alsoinosilicates).
Breccia. A clastic sedimentary rock composed of large
Chalcophile. An element that tends to concentrate in sul-
(> 2mm diameter) angular broken rock fragments in a
fide minerals and ores.
finer grained matrix.
Characteristic radiation. High-intensity radiation of one
Bridging oxygen. An oxygen atom in a crystal structure
or a few wavelengths emitted by the target of an X-ray
that is shared by two or more equivalent coordinating
tube; the wavelength(s) of characteristic radiation depend
polyhedra.
on the elements in the target.
Brittle. A term used to describe minerals that shatter or
Chatoyancy. The play of colors seen in some minerals in
break easily when struck.
which a silky sheen is seen to form a narrow band that
Buchan facies series. A facies series characterized by changes position as the mineral is turned; for example,
similar temperatures but lower pressures than the cat’s-eye chrysoberyl.
Barrovian facies series, characterized by the presence of
Chemical precipitate. A solid that precipitates from an
andalusite and sometimes cordierite.
aqueous solution, typically due to supersaturation.
Brucite layer. A sheet of Mg(OH) octahedra in a layered
6 Chemical sedimentary rock. A sedimentary rock
crystal structure.
composed primarily of material formed by precipitation
Burial metamorphism. Metamorphism affecting a large from solution; for example, most limestones and all
region; caused by pressure related to depth in Earth and evaporites.
temperature related to geothermal gradient (see also re-
Chemical sediments. Sediments produced by dissolu-
gional metamorphism).
tion and precipitation resulting from chemical weathering;
Cabochon. A gemstone that has been ground and pol- they may precipitate where weathering occurs or at a dif-
ished into a domed shape. ferent place.
Calcine. To heat material, such as limestone, to high tem- Chemical weathering. Type of weathering involving
perature, breaking down minerals and driving off carbon chemical reactions that transform or decompose minerals
dioxide or other volatiles. and rock.
Capillary. Having a hair-like or thread-like appearance Chert. A hard sedimentary rock composed primarily of
(see alsofiliform). cryptocrystalline silica, generally in the form of fibrous
chalcedony with lesser amounts of quartz and opal.
Carbonate (mineral). A group of minerals with formulas
characterized by (CO )2- radicals. Chromophores. Elements that give minerals their color.
3
Carbonate (radical). The (CO )2- anionic group. Class. Seecrystal class.
3
Carbonate (rock). A chemical sedimentary rock domi- Clast. A mineral grain, lithic fragment, or organic remnant
nated by carbonate minerals; limestone or dolostone. that is produced by mechanical weathering and becomes
part of a clastic sediment or rock.
Carbonation reaction. Reaction of a mineral or minerals
with CO to produce a product carbonate mineral. Clastic. Being composed of fragments (clasts) derived
2
from preexisting rocks.
Carlsbad twin. A common twin law in orthoclase, less com-
mon in other feldspars, often resulting in penetration twins. Clastic rock. Sedimentary rock formed by the lithification
of clastic sediments; for example, sandstone, shale, and
Cartesian coordinate system. An X-Y-Z coordinate sys-
siltstone.
tem in which all axes are at 90° and the unit distances
along all axes are equal. Clausius-Clapeyron equation. An equation relating the
slope of a reaction on a pressure-temperature diagram to the
Cataclastic metamorphism. Metamorphism caused by a
entropy and volume change of the reaction: dP/dT =Δ S/Δ V.
transient high-pressure condition such as a meteorite
impact (see also shock metamorphism and dynamic meta- Clay (grain size). A clastic fragment of any composition
morphism). smaller than silt, having a diameter less than 1 mm.
>256
3