Rock and mineral identification

We will observe and investigate the properties of rocks using a polarizing microscope!

"Rock and Mineral Identification" is one of the businesses of Geochronology Japan, which conducts geological surveys. The identification of rocks involves creating thin sections of the rock (preparations) and examining the minerals that compose them using a polarizing microscope. Thin sections of rock are made by fixing a polished rock to a slide glass and further grinding the opposite side to make it thinner. The most suitable condition for observation is when the polished rock allows light to pass through (with a thickness of 20-30μm). The polarizing microscope is equipped with two polarizing plates arranged orthogonally, and when a thin section is placed between them, various shapes and colors can be observed depending on the minerals within. Additionally, the polarizing microscope is equipped with several devices to investigate the optical properties of minerals, and by utilizing these tools for observation, the properties of the rock can be understood. *For more details, please feel free to contact us.*

Geological Survey