what factors can influence the properties of glass, which include its ability to transmit, reflect, or absorb light, or to be transparent?
The amount depends on the type of mineral. A large group of minerals  the opaque minerals  do not transmit significant light, even in thin section. These minerals do, however , reflect light back that can tell us a great deal about their identity and origin. These minerals typically have significant metallic bonding (e.g., native elements, sulfides, oxides).