Links

Crystallography

    Introduction to Crystallography and Mineral Crystal Systems - a very useful primer on crystallography.

Crystallography links - web page which contains links to various sites that describe/discuss crystallography.

Optical microscopy

    Olympus - Introduction to optical microscopy

    Nikon - Introduction to optical microscopy

Web sites maintained by microscope vendors that have tutorials on the optical microscope. Comprehensive discussions, many with active animations and illustrations.    

Mineral Identification

Physical properties - Describes the various physical properties that can be observed in hand specimen. Also has mineral descriptions.

Mineralogy Database – Contains 4,281 individual mineral species descriptions with links. Information on physical properties, x-ray data, chemistry, pictures and links to other web sites. This is an excellent source for all sorts of information about minerals and a good place to start any search for mineral information.

MinDat Organization - Another data base rich with information on minerals.

Webmineral - A superb site that provides all sorts of information about minerals and crystallography. Lots of animations for the student play.

Descriptions of minerals in thin section

XRD and Crystal Structure Data - A truly outstanding site courtesy of our Russian friends. Gives XRD data for over 6000 crystalline solids and shows three-dimensional rotatable crystal structures. A really cool site. Provides hours of entertainment.

Minerals in Thin Section

Index of Minerals in Thin Section - Shows thin section images for various minerals. In some cases the image can be viewed in both plane polarized light and crossed polarizer light.

Catalog of Minerals in Thin Section – Gives optical properties and thin section images for a number of common rock-forming minerals.

Optical Mineralogy - Lots of information and numerous thin section photographs showing minerals in both plane polarized light and crossed polarized light. I found the site a bit slow to load.

Miscellaneous

    Periodic table - Tells all you ever wanted to know.

     3D Models - a really cool site that allows you to look at geological specimens in three dimenstions

UMass Lowell Home Page
http://www.uml.edu

The UMass Lowell web site provides links to the web sites for  administrative and academic  colleges and departments throughout the University.

UMass Lowell Electronic Libraries
http://library.uml.edu

The UMass Lowell Electronic Libraries provide access to a wealth of periodicals, the card catalog and on-line resources.  Please note the some on-line databases can only be accessed via a UMass Lowell Internet address (I.P. Address).