Review of Handbook of Mineralogy. III. Halides, Hydroxides, Oxides.

From the Mineralogical Magazine (1998) 62, 432.

by R.A. Howie, Book Reviews Editor

This book follows the now familiar style of the earlier volumes (e.g. Mineral. Mag., 55, 146; 59, 771), and deals principally with halides, hydroxides and oxides, but also includes antimonates, antimonites, arsenites, carbides, nitrides, phosphides, silicides and Voxysalts. Thus we are presented with single-page entries for each mineral species in this grouping, ranging from abhurite to zirklerite, with data up to 1996.

The species are presented in a strictly alphabetical arrangement, which leads to the juxtaposition of hematite with heliophyllite and of ice with ilmenite. The description of each species includes an idealized chemical formula, crystal system, habit, twinning, cleavage, hardness and density. The optical properties cover colour, lustre, optic sign, refractive indices, pleochroism, etc. and data for the unit cell include the space group, cell dimensions, cell contents and the seven strongest lines of the XRD powder pattern. In general terms, the criterion for a mineral to be included is that it is accepted by the I.M.A. Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names, and one has no quarrel with that, though it does mean that a name such as titanomagnetite, much used by petrologists, gets no mention, nor does the recent upstart ferritchromit find a place. It does seem a pity, however, that the more common synonyms and variety names are omitted, e.g. there is no mention of sapphire under corundum nor of specularite under hematite.

Despite any such minor criticisms, we nevertheless have a very comprehensive data source, continuing this important series of volumes. As before, the production is first rate and remarkably free of errors (although I think it unlikely that fernandinite really has a refractive index as low as 1.205). The authors are to be congratulated on getting Volume III out so soon after their earlier massive compilation of the silicates, and are keeping to their promise of keeping all earlier volumes in the series available in print. The price is very reasonable and no earth sciences library can afford to be without this and its companion volumes. Yes, the new eighth edition of Dana is now out (see above), but the approach differs considerably and good libraries will need both works.