r/Geologymemes

Hey r/geology,

I'm a geology PhD student and got tired of flipping through Nesse during petrography labs, so I built a tool that ranks minerals based on observed optical properties.

How it works:

Input what you see under the microscope (birefringence, relief, cleavage, extinction angle, pleochroism, twinning) and it ranks the most likely matches from 77 rock-forming minerals. Algorithm weights properties petrographically birefringence and extinction angle count more than color.

Features:

• Precision birefringence chart (0-6000nm retardation)
• Works with incomplete data
• Database covers silicates, carbonates, oxides, halides, sulfates, hydroxides

Limitations:

• 85-90% accuracy for clear-cut cases
• Struggles with plagioclase varieties and amphibole subtypes
• Not a replacement for proper training

Tested by 12 petrographers. If anyone works with thin sections and wants to try it, I can share details. Looking for feedback on edge cases and any minerals I might have mischaracterized.

https://preview.redd.it/7o295k6jonzg1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d113baf722ed2b2618baa70e135d6a94545187e5