Orthosilicates

Orthosilicates serves as a technical reference work covering an important class of silicate minerals. The book examines the crystal structures, chemical variations, and physical properties of these common rock-forming minerals. The text contains detailed information about olivines, garnets, zircon, and other minerals in the orthosilicate group. Comprehensive crystallographic data, phase diagrams, and optical properties are presented alongside discussions of mineral occurrences and paragenesis. This volume is part of a broader series focused on rock-forming minerals and incorporates extensive research findings from mineralogical studies. References and data tables support the scientific content throughout. The work stands as a fundamental resource that connects microscopic mineral structures to larger geological processes and environments of formation. Its systematic treatment of the subject matter reflects core principles in mineralogy and crystallography.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of R A Howie's overall work: Readers consistently reference R A Howie's works, particularly "An Introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals," as key reference materials in mineralogy and petrology. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex mineralogical concepts - Systematic organization of mineral data - High-quality optical property descriptions - Comprehensive reference tables - Detailed crystallographic information What readers disliked: - Dense technical language for beginners - Limited diagrams in older editions - High cost of new editions - Physical weight of complete volumes On Goodreads, "An Introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals" averages 4.5/5 stars from 89 reviews. Academic book reviews emphasize its value as a reference text, with one reviewer noting it as "the first place to look for detailed mineral information." Amazon reviews (4.7/5 from 42 reviews) highlight its usefulness for advanced students and professionals, though several mention it may overwhelm undergraduate students. A geology student on Reddit wrote: "DHZ (Deer, Howie, Zussman) saved me during my thesis work - the optical data is unmatched."

Introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals by W A Deer, R A Howie, J Zussman Provides comprehensive mineralogical data and classification of silicate minerals with structural details and chemical compositions.

Atlas of Rock-Forming Minerals in Thin Section by W.S. MacKenzie and C. Guilford Shows microscopic identification characteristics of minerals through detailed photomicrographs and optical properties.

Mineralogy: Concepts and Principles by Cornelis Klein and Cornelius S. Hurlbut Jr. Covers crystal chemistry, physical properties, and formation conditions of silicate minerals with emphasis on structural classifications.

The Systematic Identification of Minerals by Richard E. Phillips and William R. Griffin Presents determinative tables and analytical methods for mineral identification with focus on silicate mineral groups.

Crystal Chemistry of Silicates by Felix Liebau Examines the structural relationships and crystal chemistry principles governing silicate mineral formations and classifications.

🔹 Orthosilicates are among the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust, making up approximately 90% of the planet's mantle. 🔹 R.A. Howie was a distinguished mineralogist at King's College, University of London, who made significant contributions to the understanding of rock-forming minerals. 🔹 The study of orthosilicates has been crucial in understanding metamorphic processes and the formation of precious gemstones like garnets and zircons. 🔹 The crystal structure of orthosilicates consists of isolated [SiO4]4- tetrahedra, which gives these minerals their unique physical and chemical properties. 🔹 The book is part of the prestigious series "Rock-Forming Minerals," which has been a fundamental reference for geologists and mineralogists since its first publication in the 1960s.