Iceland spar

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | 400 words | Copyright

Iceland spar colorless variety of crystallized calcite , characterized by its properties of transparency and double refraction. It is used chiefly in the manufacture of Nicol prisms , 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.

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