This is the second edition of a concise, straightforward, and balanced presentation of the theory and techniques of optical mineralogy. Designed for students to have on hand in the laboratory, this manual includes data and photos for all major igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary minerals. Minerals in Thin Section is the perfect supplement for mineralogy, optical mineralogy, and petrography courses. Includes: *Part I: Theoretical Considerations--discussing the interaction of minerals and light, the properties of minerals in thin section, and the most practical aspects of optical mineralogy. *Part II: Identifying Minerals in Thin Section--describing in detail the most common and significant or special minerals (see mineral index), including: name, formula, occurrence, distinguishing features, similar minerals, properties and interference figures, color, form, cleavage, relief, interference colors, extinction and orientation, and twinning. Box 2 (inside back cover) provides a straightforward process users can follow in order to determine a mineral's properties.Contains 34 pages of color photographs, including at least one for each of the 60 minerals described in detail, to illustrate the minerals in thin sections and to help students with mineral identification.*Appendices--containing additional information on: Common Opaque Minerals; Isotropic Minerals Ordered by Refractive Index; Uniaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index; Biaxial Minerals Sorted by Optic Sign and Ordered by Refractive Index; Minerals Ordered by Interference Colors and Sorted by Optic System and Optic Sign; and an Alphabetical List of Minerals and Mineral Properties.