Mineralographies

Mineralographies is a field within mineralogy and petrology devoted to the imaging, visualization, and documentation of minerals and their textures in rocks and engineered materials. It emphasizes spatially resolved information about mineral identity, distribution, zoning, and relationships, often obtained from thin sections, polished mounts, or three-dimensional imaging.

A core set of methods relies on imaging and spectroscopy. Optical microscopy in transmitted and reflected light, including cross-polarized light, reveals mineral optical properties, birefringence, and extinction textures. Scanning electron microscopy provides high-resolution images of textures and phases, often combined with backscattered and secondary electron signals. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron probe microanalysis yield qualitative or quantitative elemental compositions. Cathodoluminescence highlights growth zoning and defect structures in minerals. Additional techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction support phase identification and mineral chemistry, while X-ray computed tomography enables three-dimensional visualization of internal structures without dissection.

Applications span petrography, mineral exploration, and materials science. Mineralographies aid in identifying mineral assemblages, textural relations, exsolution features, and alteration halos, contributing to interpretations of crystallization sequences, metamorphic histories, weathering processes, and deformation. The approach supports provenance studies, ore mineral characterization, and quality control in industrial minerals.

The field intersects with optical mineralogy, digital mineralogy, and geoinformatics. Advances in imaging technologies and data integration have enhanced the creation of mineral maps and databases, though progress depends on sample preparation, instrument access, and specialized interpretation skills.