Polarizing Microscopes Educational Resources

Caysichite-(Y)

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:37:59 +0000

The chemical composition of mineral Caysichite-(Y) is indicated by the formula Y2(Ca,Gd)2Si4O10(CO3)3(H2O,O,OH)•3H20. Caysichite-(Y) commonly occurs in granite pegmatite lining cavities. Caysichite-(Y) is most commonly found at Evans-Lou feldspar mine, Portland West Township, Quebec, Canada. Caysichite-(Y) was named for the composition (Ca, Y, Si, CO3). Caysichite-(Y) is known to crystallize in the orthorhombic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this orthorhombic crystal system comprises crystals having three mutually perpendicular axes, of which all are of different lengths. Caysichite-(Y) has an indistinct cleavage found when evaluated using petrographic polarizing microscopes. Mineral Caysichite-(Y) is also commonly found colorless, green, greenish yellow, white, or light yellow in hand sample. The density measure of mineral Caysichite-(Y) is usually found 3.03 grams per cubic centimeters. Caysichite-(Y) is usually found with transparent crystals. The crystal habit of mineral Caysichite-(Y) as described in the field of optical mineralogy usuallyy includes pulverulent crystals forming a loose, poorly-coherent powdery mass. Sometimes it can be also found reniform or “Kidney like” in shape similar to hematite. It can be also found stalactitic or shaped like pendant columns as stalactites or stalagmites similar to calcite. The hardness measure of mineral Caysichite-(Y) is usually found 4.5 when evaluated using Mohs scale method. Caysichite-(Y) is exhibiting Cathodoluminescence. Caysichite-(Y) is also exhibiting vitreous to glassy luster in reflected light of polarized microscopes used in the field of optical mineralogy. It is also commonly found leaving a white streak when rubbed on white porcelain streak plate. Caysichite-(Y) is commonly showing biaxial negative figure when evaluated between crossed nicols of polarizing microscopes. Caysichite-(Y) is also showing 0.0350 to 0.0370 birefringence. Caysichite-(Y) is also found with mild radioactivity.

Catamarcaite

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:36:27 +0000

The chemical formula of mineral Catamarcaite is inidcated by Cu6GeWS8. This mineral Catamarcaite commonly occurs as a thin rim lining cavities and fractures in chalcocite-bornite ore. Mineral Catamarcaite is most commonly found at the old dumps near the La Rosario vein, Capillitas epithermal deposit, Catamarca Province, Argentina. Catamarcaite was named after the locality. Catamarcaite is known to crystallize in the hexagonal system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, the hexagonal system of crystallization comprises crystals having four axes. Three of which are positioned in a single plane with equal length and are symmetrically spaced. The fourth axis is found to be perpendicular to the other three axes. Catamarcaite has no cleavage display even whenn evaluated closely with the aid of polarizing microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. Catamarcaite is most commonly found colored gray in hand sample. Most crystals of mineral Catamarcaite are found opaque in appearance. Catamarcaite is also usually found with brittle to irregular fracture which is a very brittle fracture producing irregular fragments. Catamarcaite is also found as aggregates that are made of numerous individual crystals or clusters. Sometimes Catamarcaite is also found in granular from. This is generally occurs as anhedral to subhedral crystals in matrix. The hardness measure of mineral Catamarcaite is usually found 3.5 when evaluated using the Mohs scale method. Catamarcaite is also found showing metallic luster. Mineral Catamarcaite is also commonly found leaving a black streak when rubbed on white porcelain streak plate. Catamarcaite is also showing weak anisotrophism in shades of gray. It also has very weak bireflectance in oil, absent in air. The interference color displayed by mineral Catamarcaite is usually of grayish white with a distinct brownish tine with red internal reflections. Catamarcaite is found to be not pleochroic. Catamarcaite is also not radioactive.

Cascandite

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:34:47 +0000

The chemical formula of mineral Cascandite is indicated by Ca(Sc,Fe++)Si3O8(OH). Cascandite is usually found forming in miarolitic cavities in granite. Mineral Cascandite is usually found from its type of locality from the Diverio quarry, Mt. Mottarone, near Baveno, Piedmont, Italy. Cascandite was named for CAlcium and SCANDium in the composition. Mineral Cascandite is known to crystallize in the triclinic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this triclinic crystal system commonly comprises crystals having three axes, of which all are unequal in length and are positioned oblique to one another. Cascandite is commonly found with good cleavage in two directions. Cascandite is commonly found light pink in hand sample. The density measure of mineral Cascandite is usually found 3.01 grams per cubic centimeters. Most crystals of mineral Cascandite are found transparent in appearance. The hardness measure of mineral Cascandite is usually found ranging from 4.5 to 5.5. Mineral Cascandite is usually found showing vitreous to glassy luster when viewed in reflected light of petrographic polarizing microscopes. Mineral Cascandite is most commonly found leaving white streak when rubbed on white porrcelain streak plate. Cascandite is usually found showing biaxial figure when evaluated between crossed nicols of polarizing microscopes and 0.0210 birefringence. Cascandite is also found to be not radioactive.

Carrollite

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:26:19 +0000

The chemical formula of mineral Carrollite is indicated by the formula Cu(Co,Ni)2S4. It is also found in hydrothermal vein deposits. This mineral is most commonly found in the USA, in the Patapsco mine, Finksburg, and the Mineral Hill mine, Sykesville, Carroll Co., Maryland. Carrollite was named for its occurrence in Carroll Co., Maryland, USA. Mineral Carrollite is known to crystallize in the isometric system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this isometric crystal system comprises crystals having three axes, all of which are perpendicular to one another and all are found equal in lengths. Carrollite is usually found showing indistinct clevage when evaluated with the aid of petrographic polarizing microscopes used in the field of optical mineralogy. Carrollite is most commonly found colored gray, copper red, light gray, or steel in hand sample. Carrollite is most commonly found showing density measure ranging from 4.5 to 4.8 grams per cubic centimeters, with an average of 4.65. Most crystals of mineral Carrollite are found opaque in appearance. Carrollite is also found showing conchoidal fractures developed in brittle materials characterized by smoothly curving surfaces, similar to quartz. The hardness measure of mineral Carrollite is usually found ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 when evaluated using the Mohs scale method. Carrollite is also found exhibiting metallic luster in reflected light of polarizing microscopes. Carrollite is found to be not radioactive.

Carobbiite

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:25:01 +0000

The chemical formula of mineral Carobbiite is indicated by KF. This mineral Carobbiite is considered as stalactites in cavities in lava. Carobbiite is usually found at its type of locality at Vesuvius, Campania, Italy. Mineral Carobbiite was named for Guido Carobbi (1900-1983), Italian geologist, Institute of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, who collected the first specimens. Carobbiite is known to crystallize in the isometric system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this isometric crystal system comprises crystals having three axes, all of which are perpendicular to one another and all are found equal in lengths. Mineral Carobbiite is usually found showing good cleavage in one direction which can be noticed more clearly visible under polarizing microscopes used in the field of optical mineralogy. Carobbiite is usually found colorless in hand sample. This mineral Carobbiite is commonly found showing 2.524 grams per cubic centimeters as its density measure. Most crystals of mineral Carobbiite are found transparent in appearance. The hardness measure of mineral Carobbiite is usually found ranging from 2 to 2.5 when evaluated using the Mohs scale method. Carobbiite is usually found showing vitreous or glassy luster when evaluated in reflected light of polarizing microscopes. Carobbiite is usually found leaving white streak when rubbed on whie porcelain streak plate. Carobbiite is usually found isotropic in appearance. Mineral Carobbiite is also found with mild radioactivity.

Cattiite

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:23:23 +0000

The chemical formula of mineral Cattiite is indicated by Mg3(PO4)2•22(H2O). This mineral commonly occurs in cavities in a dolomite carbonatite vein that cuts forsterite-magnetite ore. Cattiite is usually found at its type of locality at Zhelezny Mine Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia. Cattiite was named for Michele Catti, Professor of Physical Chemistry, University of Milano Bicocca, Italy. Mineral Cattiite is known to crystallize in the triclinic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this triclinic crystal system commonly comprises crystals having three axes, of which all are unequal in length and are positioned oblique to one another. Cattiite is usually found showing perfect cleavage in one direction when viewed with the aid of polarized microscopes. Cattiite is usually found colorless in hand sample. The density measure of mineral Cattiite is usually found 1.65 grams per cubic centimeters. Most crystals of mineral Cattiite are found transparent in appearance. Cattiite is commonly found showing uneven fracture. These are flat surfaces (not cleavage) fractured in an uneven pattern. Mineral Cattiite is also usually found massive to granular in form. This is a common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock. The hardness measure of mineral Cattiite is usually found 2 when evaluated using the Mohs scale method. Mineral Cattiite is usually found showing vitreous or glassy luster when evaluated in reflected light of polarizing microscopes. Mineral Cattiite is commonly found showing white streak when rubbed on white poprcelain streak plate. Cattiite is also found showing biaxial negative figure when evaluated between crossed nicols of polarizing microscopes. Cattiite is also found showing 0.0110 birefringence. Cattiite is found to be not radioactive.

Cassagnaite

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:21:53 +0000

The chemical composition of mineral Cassagnaite is indicated by the formula (Ca,Mn++)4(Fe+++,Mn+++,Al)4(OH)4(V+++,Mg,Al)2(O,OH)4(Si3O10)(SiO4)2. Cassagnaite is usually found in fractures in braunite plus quartz layered mineralization, together with piemontite. Cassagnaite is commonly found from its type of locality at Cassagna mine, Val Graveglia, eastern Liguria, northern Apennines, Italy. Cassagnaite was named after the locality. Mineral Cassagnaite is also known to crystallize in the orthorhombic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this orthorhombic crystal system comprises crystals having three mutually perpendicular axes, of which all are of different lengths. Cassagnaite is usually found with distinct cleavage in one direction when viewed with the aid of polarized microscopes. Mineral Cassagnaite is also found showing golden brown color in hand sample. Most crystals of mineral Cassagnaite are found transparent appearance. Cassagnaite is also found showing brittle fracture which is generally displayed by glasses and most non-metallic minerals. Sometimes mineral Cassagnaite is also found prismatic in form with crystals shaped like slender prisms similar to tourmaline. Cassagnaite can be also found tabular in form with dimensions that are thin in one direction. Cassagnaite is also found showing vitreous or glassy luster in reflected light of polarizing microscopes. Cassagnaite is commonly found leaving nearly white streak when rubbed on white porcelain streak plate. Cassagnaite is also commonly found showing biaxial figure when evaluated between crossed nicols of petrographic polarizing microscopes. Mineral Cassagnaite is also showing 0.0100 birefringence. Cassagnaite is found to be not radioactive.

Cechite

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:19:30 +0000

The chemical formula of mineral Cechite is indicated by Pb(Fe++,Mn)(VO4)(OH). Cechite is usually found on specimens form old mine dumps from a polymetallic ore deposit. Cechite is usually found at its type of locality at Vrancice, Pribram, Stredocsky Kraj, Cechy, Bohemia, Czech Republic. Cechite was named for Frantisek Cech (1944-), mineralogist, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. Cechite is known to crystallize in the orthorhombic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this orthorhombic crystal system comprises crystals having three mutually perpendicular axes, of which all are of different lengths. Cechite has no cleavage display even when evaluated closely under polarized microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. Mineral Cechite is commonly found colored black in hand sample. The density measure of mineral Cechite is usually found 5.88 grams per cubic centimeters. Mineral Cechite is commonly found showing opaque crystals. Cechite is also found forming brittle to uneven fracture. This is a very brittle fracture producing uneven fragments. Cechite crystals are usually found massive to granular form which is a common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock. The hardness measure of mineral Cechite is usually found ranging from 4.5 to 5 when evaluated using the Mohs scale methhod. Cechite is also exhibiting submetallic luster in reflected light of petrographic polsrizing microscope. Cechite is a magnetic mineral. Cechite is also commonly found leaving a black streak when rubbed on white porcelain streak plate. Cechite is also commonly found showing biaxial figure when viewed between crossed nicols of polarizing microscopes. Cechite is an anisotrophic mineral and is perceptible to strong, light gray to dark gray with brownish tint. Cechite is also showing bireflectance that is usually weak to imperceptible. The interference color of mineral Cechite is usually gray white with a yellowish tint, whitish, yellowish or rosy internal reflections. Cechite is found to be not radioactive.

Cavoite

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:16:08 +0000

The chemical formula of mineral Cavoite is indiccaed by CaV3O7. Mineral Cavoite is usually found at microcavites in massive caryopilite and rhodocrosite in braunite Mn ore. It is also found at Gambatesa mine, northern Appennines, Liguria, Italy. Cavoite was named for the composition, Ca, V, O. Mineral Cavoite is known to crystallize in the orthorhombic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this orthorhombic crystal system comprises crystals having three mutually perpendicular axes, of which all are of different lengths. Cavoite has no cleavage display even when evaluated using the petrographic polarizing microscope. Mineral Cavoite is usually found colorless in hand sample. Most crystals of mineral Cavoite are found transparent in appearance. Cavoite crystals are also found brittle. This is generally displayed by glasses and most non-metallic minerals. The crystal habit of mineral Cavoite are found acicular and this commonly occurs as needle-like crystals. It can be also found in aggregates and is usually made up of numerous individual crystals or clusters. Mineral Cavoite is also found radial where crystals radiate from a center without producing stellar forms like that of stibnite. Mineral Cavoite is usually found showing vitreous or glassy luster when viewed in reflected light of polarizing microscopes. Mineral Cavoite is commonly found leaving white streak when rubbed on white porcelain streak plate. Cavoite is also commonly showing biaxial figure when evaluated between crossed nicols of polarizing microscopes. Cavoite has a barely detectable radioactivity.

Caswellsilverite

polarizingmicroscopes — Sun, 29 May 2011 08:14:47 +0000

The chemical formula of mineral Caswellsilverite is indicated by NaCrS2. Caswellsilverite is usually formed as inclusions in enstatite crystals and in the brecciated matrix of a meteorite. Caswellsilverite is usually found at its type of locality in the Norton County enstatite achondrite and the Qingzhen enstatite chondrite meteorites. Caswellsilverite was named to honor Dr. Caswell Silver, geologist associated with the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Caswellsilverite is known o crystallize in the trigonal system of crystal formation. Caswellsilverite is usually found coored yellow gray in hand sample. The density measure of mineral Caswellsilverite is usually found 3.21 grams per cubic centimeters. Most crystals of mineral Caswellsilverite are found opaque in appearance. The hardness measure of mineral Caswellsilverite is usually found ranging from 1 to 2 when evaluated using the Mohs scale method. Caswellsilverite is also exhibiting metallic luster in reflected light of polarizing microscope. Caswellsilverite is also found to be not radioactive.