The answer to that is complicated. It's cross polar view, which means it's viewed through a pair of polarized lenses set at right angles to one anlther, which normally would let zero light through, since a polarized lens only lets light of one alignment through. However, the thin section itself distorts the light, allowing some to get through. This is what produces the vibrant colors, which are quite useful in figuring out what minerals are present.
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Well that answer was cooler than I thought it would be. Thanks!
Of course!