This site features a lecture by Dr. Stephen Nelson from Tulane University that explores a systematic way to define crystallographic angles. The lecture discusses crystallographic angles and gives an introduction to the use of stereographic projections for depicting the angular relationships between crystal faces. Scientific illustrations clarify the text. Full description.

This site is a lecture by Dr. Stephen Nelson from Tulane University that discusses crystallographic calculations. Topics include a review of Miller indices, axial ratios, angles corresponding to a Miller Index, and angles between crystallographic axes in monoclinic or triclinic systems. Step by step examples of the calculations are provided, including associated illustrations and diagrams. Full description.

This site, maintained by the University of Bristol, contains a short explanation of X-ray crystallography. Topics covered include a definition of X-ray crystallography, an example of its applications, and the stages of crystal structure determination. A student interested in a concise account of the manner in which this technology is used to identify minerals would benefit from this site. Full description.

This site, maintained by the Environmental and Soil Geochemistry group at Dartmouth, is an overview of three types of spectroscopy, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction. A brief description of each process and its applications is included. Full description.

This site, maintained by the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming, contains four QuickTime videos of actual crystal growth. To access the videos, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on any of the downloads that are available. These videos enhance understanding of the processes involved in crystallization. Full description.

This online version of a classic out-of-print sedimentary petrology textbook by Robert L. Folk is hosted by the Walter Geology Library at the University of Texas at Austin. The user can choose between high (PDF) and low resolution downloads of the textbook. Full description.

This resource provides study directions and materials for a unit on deformation and creep as part of a lecture from a structural geology course taught by Dr. David McConnell at the University of Akron. The notes briefly cover microscopic deformation mechanisms, including microfracturing, cataclasis, frictional sliding, mechanical twinning, and kinking, as well as diffusion, dissolution, and dislocation ... Full description.

This site from the "On the Cutting Edge" workshop series features a collection of resources for teaching mineralogy at the undergraduate level. These digital teaching materials are designed for faculty to use while designing new courses, enhancing existing courses, or simply looking for new ideas in teaching mineralogy. Students will also find this collection helpful for finding supplemental study ... Full description.

This collection, from the "On the Cutting Edge" workshop series, features educational resources useful for teaching undergraduate igneous and metamorphic petrology courses. The collection includes lab exercises, classroom activities, problem sets and more. Full description.

This is the homepage of a Gem and Minerals class at the University of Texas. The course objectives are to explore the following topics: what are gems and minerals, methods of identification, physical and optical propoerties, crystallography and optics, lapidary arts, the geology of major gem localities, and the value of gems. The site offers access to the course syllabus, handouts, exams with interactive ... Full description.