Perfect for mountain climbers and hikers, this valuable reference covers more rocks and minerals in North America than any other available guide.
794 full-color photographs depict all the important rocks, gems, and minerals -- in many variations of color and crystal form -- and the natural environments in which they occur; written descriptions provide information on field marks, similar rocks and minerals, environment, areas of occurrence, and derivation of names.
Includes a guide to mineral collecting and a list of rock-forming minerals.
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 A Rockhounds Handy Pocket Tool |
| Review Date: April 15, 1998 |
| Reviewer: Jean North(north@sprintmail.com), San Antonio, Texas United States |
| This book is an amateur rockhounds must have. Having been through at least ten other titles, This one offers the most in depth, yet easy to understand information. It contains a 230 page section of photographs which are categorized by color, then by formation. Ending out this section they have included several pages containing before and after photographs of select minerals shown in the rough,then as a gem. Below each photograph is a corresponding page number to the mineral description. The mineral description section includes information on the native elements that make up each mineral, Color and Luster description, Hardness, Cleavage, Specific gravity, Crystal formation, Best field marks, Similar species, Environment in which it may be found,and where in North America they occur. For beginners who may not understand what these identifying features mean or how to go about using them, they should refer to Part 1 in the guide, A Guide To Mineral Identification. Here the authors thoroughly cover each physical property, and the way each can be used in the process of identification. Once familiar with each identifying feature, the Descriptive Key To Minerals section located directly after the photograph section will be your next stop. Using your new found knowledge about the rock or minerals physical properties is made simple in this section. This key is categorized by color. Under each color section the minerals are arranged by increasing hardness which is then broken down by quality and cleavages. Each description also includes other identifying features and a reference to the page that contains the full classification information. For the pro-amateur to expert rockhound, I would recommend The Descriptive Key to Minerals section to be their first stop. Though what I have described up to this point would be quite thorough in its own right, I should mention the section located in the back of the book which is dedicated solely to Rocks. This area contains approximately 30 pages of photographs, including their corresponding page number to its classification information page. Part III and IV, contain information on tools and techniques, mineral environments, a rock and mineral glossary, and a listing of rock forming minerals. For the curious, it also includes a list indicating each illustrated specimens place of origin. I would recommend this book to not just the rock, mineral enthusiest but to anyone. Each mineral is referenced by and to all pages containing corresponding information, making it a simple process to learn as much as the book has to offer. In my opinion, the photographs alone make this book one of the most enjoyable rock, mineral guide I have used. At this low price, it is one of a kind. |
Rockhound's bible
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| Review Date: August 31, 2002 |
| Reviewer: Cory D. Slipman, Rockville Centre, N.Y. |
| This book is a must have for any experienced rockhound. The field guide sorts mineral specimens by color and then further subdivides them by crystal habit. The color plates are nicely photographed and direct the reader to the corresponding pages which contain all the mineralogic characteristics of the specimens. All the information a rockhound could possibly desire, including North American collecting locales is contained within. This would not be a suitable book for a beginner in the field as the retrieval of information would not be easily done by a novice. As a long time serious collector, despite the approximately 800 pages, many popular minerals have been omitted. |
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