Optical Mineralogy Paul F Kerr.pdf Verified May 2026
Review: Optical Mineralogy — Paul F. Kerr
The old man slowly closed the book. On the cover, the author’s name was stamped in faded gold: PAUL F. KERR. He placed his trembling hand on it.
- Identifying Quartz vs. Feldspars to distinguish between granites and diorites.
- Distinguishing between Clinopyroxene and Orthopyroxene using extinction angles to classify gabbros and basalts.
- Identifying Calcite vs. Dolomite using staining or twin laws in carbonates.
- Mineralogy Database (webmineral.com): Complete optical data.
- Atlas of Minerals in Thin Section (by Mackenzie & Adams): Often available as a free university-hosted PDF.
- Geology Department Notes: Many top universities (MIT, Stanford, Columbia) have uploaded their optical mineralogy lab manuals for free.
The answer lies in Kerr’s unique ability to blend rigorous theory, practical laboratory methods, and high-quality visual guides. This article provides a comprehensive review of Kerr’s masterpiece, discusses its table of contents, explains why the PDF version circulates so widely, and explores how it compares to modern optical mineralogy references. Optical Mineralogy Paul F Kerr.pdf