Despite its age, lack of color, and copyright ambiguities, Optical Mineralogy by Paul F. Kerr remains a masterpiece of technical writing.
Applied petrography
Concise evaluation (one line)
The second edition (1942) is often the one most likely to be found as a scanned PDF. This edition is in the public domain in some jurisdictions due to its age. A PDF of this version (co-authored by Rogers and Kerr) can be found on various academic ebook-on-demand platforms, such as the Czech National Technical Library system, where it is available for a fee for printing or digital access. Some university library catalogs also allow digital scans of out-of-copyright material to be accessed by authorized students and faculty.
The search for is more than a quest for a digital file. It is a ritual for geologists. It signals that you are about to enter the dark room, turn off the overhead lights, and descend into the crystalline universe accessible only through crossed polars. Optical Mineralogy Paul F Kerr.pdf
The book by Paul F. Kerr covers the fundamental principles of optical mineralogy, including:
The book's enduring value is evident in its content and user-friendly design:
Who should use it
Paul F. Kerr's "Optical Mineralogy" is a seminal geology textbook covering optical theory and mineral identification via petrographic microscopes, spanning multiple editions from the 1950s through 1977. It offers detailed, illustrated guides to interpreting rock-forming minerals using plane-polarized and cross-polarized light. Access the 4th edition PDF at or borrow various editions from the Internet Archive Internet Archive Optical mineralogy : Kerr, Paul F. (Paul Francis), 1897 Despite its age, lack of color, and copyright
When you open that PDF, go straight to page 87 (in the 3rd edition) and read the section on "The Becke Line Method" three times. Master that, and you will identify 90% of unknown minerals before your classmates even find their Bertrand lens.
Elara felt a jolt, colder than the lunar night. “How do you know?”
Paul F. Kerr was a prominent geologist who made significant contributions to the field of optical mineralogy. He was a professor of geology at Columbia University and a renowned expert in the field. Kerr's work focused on the optical properties of minerals, and he developed new techniques for identifying and analyzing them. His book, "Optical Mineralogy," published in 1959, is still widely used today as a reference for geologists.
Kerr's book emphasizes the importance of proper techniques and instrumentation in optical mineralogy. He discusses: This edition is in the public domain in
Paul F. Kerr's legacy in optical mineralogy continues to inspire new generations of mineralogists and geologists. His contributions to the field have been recognized through various awards and honors, including the prestigious Mineralogical Society of America (MSA) Award.
In the pantheon of essential geological literature, few texts have bridged the gap between rigorous academic theory and practical laboratory application as effectively as Optical Mineralogy by Paul F. Kerr. For over half a century, this seminal work has served as the indispensable companion for university students, professional petrographers, and exploration geologists. If you have searched for the keyword , you are likely part of this specific technical community—one that values the precision of refractive indices, the nuance of interference figures, and the art of identifying minerals under polarized light.
The first edition of "Optical Mineralogy" was initially authored by Austin Flint Rogers and Paul F. Kerr and was published under the title Thin-section Mineralogy . Paul F. Kerr continued the work through subsequent revisions. The third edition was published solely by Kerr in 1959, while the definitive and most widely used fourth edition was released in 1977.