Birefringence Table for Identification of Minerals in Petrographic Section

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11137/1982-3908_2024_47_64136

Keywords:

Colors, Millimicron, Optical character

Abstract

The minerals have great importance through deposits, being widely used in the more traditional fields of geology (economic geology, prospecting, sedimentology, petrology / petrography). The aim of this research was the elaboration of a birefringence table, using only the optical properties, for a faster, safer, and more succinct identification of some important minerals in a petrographic section (0.03 mm), focusing on the most efficient characteristics and using the addition and subtraction colors related to birefringence, in which most of those analyzed are heavy minerals, as well as other very common minerals. The table prepared for this paper has two differential characteristics, which make it efficient. Updated values from birefringence in several minerals; plus, each combination color that could be visualized trough the accessory of 530 millimicron. Due to its ease and precision of use, it can be used by researchers, professionals and undergraduates. The table containing 42 common minerals, with the information on each of their character of optical signal, colors with quartz accessories, pleochroism, and the most relevant characteristic was chosen to facilitate the identification of such minerals.

Author Biographies

Isaac Gomes de Oliveira, Universidade Federal do Ceará

He has a degree in Geology from the Federal University of Ceará (2018), a master's degree in Geosciences (Gemology, Mineralogy) from the Federal University of Ceará (2020), Inventor (2022) and a PhD student in Geology at the same institution. He is interested in the areas of gemology and microscopic mineralogy. He has participated since August 2015 as a member of the gemology laboratory, working as a collaborator in research, extension and also as a volunteer monitor in the introduction to gemology course, he was a volunteer monitor in optical mineralogy (2015-2018). He works in the following areas: gemology (with an emphasis on tourmalines, aquamarines, garnets, amethysts, rubies and emeralds), optical mineralogy, mineralogy, geochemistry, crystallochemistry and magnetism.

Marcelo Menezes Diniz Madruga, Universidade Federal do Ceará

Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências, Departamento de Geologia, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil

Isabelly Maria Maia Ferro, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências, Departamento de Geologia

Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências, Departamento de Geologia, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil

Lucilene dos Santos, Universidade Federal do Ceará

She has a degree in Geology (2011), a Master's degree in Geosciences in the area of concentration Petrology and Geochemistry (2013), a PhD (2017) in Petrology and Crustal Evolution with a thesis on magma-forming processes (Analysis and Modeling of Geochemical, Isotopic and Geochronological. An application for typology of magmatism, restriction of the geodynamic environment and evolution of the mantle-crust system) by the Federal University of Pernambuco. Internship at the Isotopic Geochemistry Laboratory - Laser Ablation-ICP-MS (U-Pb, Trace Elements in Zircon and Titanite) at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (11/2015 and 4/2016). She was Professor of Mineralogy and Crystallography for the Materials Engineering and Geology Courses, and Mineralogy Applied to Mining for Mining Engineering (UFPE-2014 to 2016). Working in the area of Geosciences: Geological Mapping, Mineral Chemistry, Whole Rock Geochemistry, Isotopic Geochemistry and Geochronology; Crystallochemical and Crystallophysical Characterization of Minerals - Industrial application and multifunctional materials (multiferroics). Research in development with graphite, high purity quartz and tantalates from the Borborema Province, NE Brazil. Adjunct Professor, Deputy Coordinator of the Geology Course / UFC, Coordinator of the Microscopy and Gemology Laboratories of the Geology Department, she represents the UFC in the Mining Sector Chamber with the Government of the State of Ceará. Head Advisor of the Specialized Chamber of Chemical Engineering, Geology, Mines and Occupational Safety/CREA-CE, Coordinator of the Education and Professional Attribution Committee (CEAP) of CREA-CE.

Tereza Falcão de Oliveira Neri, Universidade Federal do Ceará

She has a degree in Geology from the Federal University of Ceará and a master's degree in Agronomy (Soils and Plant Nutrition) from the Federal University of Ceará. PhD in Geology from the Federal University of Ceará. She was assistant professor I at the Federal University of Ceará until 2017, and is currently a collaborating professor. She has experience in the area of Geosciences, with an emphasis on Mineralogy, working mainly on the following topics: mineralogy, heavy minerals, mapping, pegmatite genesis, gemology, petrology and petrography. Over 40 years as a teacher, she has received awards and honors, including the awards: Vanguarda Excelência em Ensino (2018) and Mulher na Geologia no Ceará (2021)

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Published

2024-12-30