Optical mineralogy: new colour in a dying art

摘要

The words 'optical mineralogy' are capable of conjuring fear even in trained geologists. Every one of us will have spent hour after hour staring down the microscope until we are no longer able to focus on the clock on the wall to see if it is time to go home yet. Every geologist will remember the sheer confusion and terrifying uncertainty involved in trying to recognize all but the most obvious minerals. Still to this day many of us will experience a momentary wave of panic if a petrological microscope is pushed in our direction.