Birefringence Table for Identification of Minerals in Petrographic Section

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.