Cronstedt in 1760 introduced a mineral analysis method using the blowpipe.
Works in the field of physical chemistry made by Lomonosov lead, later, some people to consider him as the founder of experimental mineralogy and experimental petrology (1763).
Carangeot invented in 1780 the "hand goniometer".
In 1798 Hall and then Gay Lussac and Berthier carried out the artificial synthesis of marble.
Herschel spread circa 1820 the use of the tourmaline nippers for the optical identification of minerals.
Navier circa 1820 studied the elasticity of isotropic minerals.
Nicol invented circa 1820 the prism of Nicol; polariser cut in transparent Iceland spar and realised in 1828 thin blades of rocks.
Talbot, in 1834, used the prism of Nicol to carry out mineral identifications in polarised light.