Double-Chain Silicates

Double-Chain Silicates is a scientific volume that examines the structure, chemistry and occurrence of silicate minerals containing double-chain arrangements. The book catalogs the key mineral groups including amphiboles, pyroxenoids, and other related materials. The text presents detailed crystallographic data, chemical analyses, and optical properties for each mineral species covered. R A Howie provides extensive documentation of localities, mineral associations, and formation conditions based on research findings and field observations. Original x-ray studies and structure determinations are included alongside historical perspectives on the discovery and classification of these minerals. The reference contains numerous tables, diagrams and photomicrographs to illustrate the technical content. This work stands as a core reference text in mineralogy, contributing to the fundamental understanding of an important class of rock-forming minerals that are crucial to interpreting Earth's crustal processes.

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."

Crystal Chemistry of Silicates by F. Liebau The text presents structural classifications and detailed analysis of silicate mineral groups with focus on atomic arrangements and bonding patterns.

Rock-Forming Minerals by William Alexander Deer, R. A. Howie, and Jack Zussman This comprehensive reference covers mineralogy, chemistry, and occurrence of major mineral groups found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

An Introduction to the Rock Forming Minerals by William Alexander Deer The text examines physical properties, chemical composition, and structural characteristics of minerals essential to petrological studies.

Mineralogy: Concepts and Principles by Tibor Zoltai and James H. Stout The work provides crystallographic fundamentals and systematic examination of mineral structures with emphasis on silicate classifications.

Structure and Crystal Chemistry of Silicates by Friedrich Liebau The book details the arrangement principles and chemical bonds in silicate structures through crystallographic analysis and structural hierarchy models.

🔹 Double-chain silicates, also known as inosilicates, include important rock-forming minerals like amphiboles, which make up much of Earth's crust and upper mantle. 🔹 R.A. (Robert Andrew) Howie was a distinguished British mineralogist who taught at King's College, Cambridge and made significant contributions to the understanding of rock-forming minerals. 🔹 This volume is part of the prestigious "Rock-Forming Minerals" series, which has been a fundamental reference for geologists and mineralogists since its first publication in the 1960s. 🔹 The double-chain structure discussed in the book creates unique physical properties in these minerals, including perfect cleavage angles of 56° and 124°, which are diagnostic features for their identification. 🔹 The minerals covered in this book are crucial components in metamorphic rocks and can provide valuable information about the temperature and pressure conditions under which rocks were formed.