What is the purpose of this website?
This site aims to provide information on the characteristics of the minerals under the microscope, both of transparent minerals under the Transmitted Light microscope and of opaque minerals under the Reflected Light microscope, as far as possible and necessary. The site is a translation of the corresponding site in portuguese, using (and revising!) Google Translator. It is in construction; new minerals are added almost every day.

For whom?
For students and professionals in Geology, Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering and others who need to identify minerals and ores under a microscope.

Why?
Because the bibliography on this particular topic is sparse, often outdated, in a foreign language, with none or few microphotographs and most of them in black and white. In addition, bibliography brings many information unnecessary for the work with the microscope. Especially for Reflected Light the available bibliography leaves much to be desired. It makes it difficult to access quickly and directly the characteristics of the minerals under the microscope in order to recognize them.

What bibliography was used?
In addition to the sites mentioned below, the following bibliographies were mainly used, in addition to many of my own observations:
Deer, W.A., Howie, R.A., Zussman, J. 2013. An Introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals.
Marshall, D., Anglin, C.D., Mumin, H. 2004. Ore Mineral Atlas.
Nesse, W.D. 1991. Introduction to Optical Mineralogy.
Pichler, H., Schmitt-Riegraf, C. 1997. Rock-forming Minerals in Thin Section.
Pracejus, B. (ed) The Ore Minerals under the Microscope - An Optical Guide.
Ramdohr, P. 1969. The Ore Minerals and their Intergrowths.
Schneiderhöhn, H. 1952. Erzmikroskopisches Praktikum.
Spry, P.G., Gedlinske, B.L. 1987. Tables for the Determination of Common Opaque Minerals.
Uytenbogaardt, W., Burke, E.A.J. 1971 Tables for the Microscopic Identification of Ore Minerals.


What minerals are addressed?
The most common and the minerals associated with them, both rock-forming minerals and ore minerals.

What does the website NOT tell?
The site does not address (1) detailed classification of minerals, (2) mineral structures, (3) chemical composition details and variations, (4) X-ray diffractograms, (5) crystalline forms that minerals can present, (6) rare and very rare minerals, (7) synonyms, (8) discarded mineral names, (9) mineral variety names, (10) origin of the name of the mineral, (11) type localities of the minerals, (12) places where the minerals occur in the world and (13) macroscopic images. This type of information should be sought from other sources.

Where to find this?
www.handbookofmineralogy.org,
www.mindat.org,
www.webmineral.com
www.ruff.info, etc.

Important!
Transmitted Light microphotographs were obtained on thin sections with coverslip cover or on thin sections, polished or not, covered with mineral oil.
All Reflected Light microphotos were taken from polished blocks rather than polished thin sections. In addition, in Reflected Light, we always work with observations in the air and not with oil immersion.
The sheets are not final and will be replaced with better ones over time, especially with regard to images, all of them taken by us.

TIPS:
Watch the mineral videos on the "Heinrich Frank" channel on You Tube.
Download the sheets of interest to you, print and assemble a personalized Minerals Guide.

The site is commercial?
No, absolutely. The initiative is non-profit, nothing is bought or sold and access is free.

Why is the site not responsive?
Well, I tried. But after a series of annoyances, frustrations and setbacks with nearly two dozen "website builders" I gave up and requested a domain from the University. The site is being assembled in html. If a viable opportunity arises, it will be turned into responsive.

About bugs and their fixes.
Everybody make mistakes in Mineralogy! Despite all efforts, mistakes must be there. Just indicate them and they will be corrected.

Responsible for this initiative:
Heinrich Theodor Frank is a geologist, Professor of Mineralogy in the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology at the Geosciences Institute of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

CONTACT:
geoprof.frank@gmail.com


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