Mallika Sherawat in 'Murder' [Part 3]
Paul F. Kerr’s "Optical Mineralogy" is a seminal text in geology, offering foundational knowledge on mineral identification through clear descriptions and detailed optical properties. The text remains highly regarded for its systematic approach to microscopy, featuring essential information on birefringence and the optic indicatrix for identifying mineral samples. The 1959 edition is available for viewing on the Internet Archive IUCr Journals Optical mineralogy by P. F. Kerr - IUCr Journals
Kerr's book covers various techniques and methods used in optical mineralogy, including: Optical Mineralogy Paul F Kerr.pdf
The book's enduring popularity is a testament to Kerr's meticulous scholarship and his ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner. While the field of mineralogy has evolved significantly since the book's initial publication, "Optical Mineralogy" remains a fundamental reference that continues to inspire and educate new generations of geologists, mineralogists, and materials scientists. Paul F
“Paul F. Kerr,” she whispered, her breath fogging the eyepiece. Optical Mineralogy . Fourth edition. The one with the worn, dark green cover and the spine held together by library tape and sheer stubbornness. It was the only book that contained the complete table of “Uncommon Extinction Angles and Anomalous Interference Figures.” The 1959 edition is available for viewing on
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Kerr’s genius lay in his pedagogical approach. While other texts of the mid-20th century were dense with untested theory, Kerr wrote Optical Mineralogy from the bench. He understood that the student sitting at a petrographic microscope needs a workflow: how to center the stage, how to find cleavage, how to estimate birefringence, and how to differentiate plagioclase from orthoclase under strain.