Optical Mineralogy

Interference Figures
How to Obtain an Interference Figure:
1. Center grain of interest at medium power w/crossed nicols
2. Go to high power and focus
3. Insert condenser lens
4. Insert Bertrand lens
5. Viola! An interference figure

Uniaxial Interference Figures

Isogyres
Melatope

Quartz - Centered Optic Axis Figure

To determine optic sign

1. Obtain a uniaxial interference figure

2. Insert gypsum plate
3. Determine the regions of color rise (blue) and
color fall (yellow)
4. Connect the regions of color fall
5. If parallel to gypsum plate slow direction optic
sign is negative.
6. If perpendicular to gypsum plate slow direction
optic sign is positive.

Uniaxial Interference Figures

Color Fall
Color Rise

Connect regions of color fall

Gypsum plate
slow direction

Quartz with gypsum plate inserted

Uniaxial positive

Uniaxial Interference Figures

Isochromes
Isogyres

Melatope

Calcite - Centered Optic Axis Figure

Uniaxial Interference Figures

Centered Optic Axis Figure
Color Rise
Blue

Connect regions of
color fall

Color Fall
Yellow

Gypsum plate
slow direction

Calcite with gypsum plate inserted

Uniaxial negative

Biaxial Interference Figures

Acute Bisectrix Figure - BXA
Isogyres
Melatope

Biotite
Acute Bisectrix Figure with small 2V angle, < 5

Biaxial Interference Figures

Acute Bisectrix Figure - BXA
Color Rise
Color Fall

Biotite
Acute Bisectrix Figure with gypsum plate inserted
Biaxial negative

Biaxial Interference Figures

Acute Bisectrix Figure - BXA
Isogyres

Phlogopite
Acute Bisectrix Figure at 45 off extinction position
2V angle = 25

Biaxial Interference Figures

Acute Bisectrix Figure - BXA
Color Rise

Color Fall

Phlogopite
Acute Bisectrix Figure at 45 off extinction position
with gypsum plate inserted
Biaxial negative

Biaxial Interference Figures

Isogyre

Olivine
Centered Optic Axis Figure with large 2V angle = 90