Big 10

You’re likely to see at least one of the Big 10 Rock-Forming Minerals in nearly every thin section you look at. Here they are, in alphabetical order for your convenience.

Amphiboles (actinolite, glaucophane, hornblende, tremolite)

Biotite

Calcite

Ca-rich plagioclase feldspar (anorthite)

Muscovite

Na-rich plagioclase feldspar: (albite)

Olivine

Potassium feldspar, also known as K-spar (microcline, orthoclase)

Pyroxenes, which come in two flavors:  clinopyroxene (augite, diopside ) and orthopyroxene (enstatite)

Quartz

An honorable mention must go to the chlorite group minerals. While not one of the Big 10, the chlorite group minerals—often lumped under the catch-all name chlorite—are extremely common alteration products and thus turn up in all kinds of places. It is well to learn to identify chlorite early on; it’ll save you trouble down the line.