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Iceland spar |
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Iceland spar, colorless variety of crystallized calcite calcite (kăl`sīt), very widely distributed mineral, commonly white or colorless, but appearing in a great variety of colors owing to ..... Click the link for more information. , characterized by its properties of transparency and double refraction. It is used chiefly in the manufacture of Nicol prisms Nicol prism (nĭk`əl), optical device invented (1828) by William Nicol of Edinburgh. ..... Click the link for more information. , which are essential parts of polarizing microscopes and other optical instruments. The principal deposit is in Iceland, but small quantities are found in other countries, including the United States and Mexico. Iceland spar [′īs·lənd ′spär] (mineralogy) A pure, transparent form of calcite found particularly in Iceland; easily cleaved to form rhombohedral crystals that are doubly refracting. Also known as Iceland crystal. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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