The Minerals Encyclopedia: 700 Minerals, Gems and Rocks

My interest in the subject of rocks and minerals is both scientific and spiritual. For me, the best book that introduced me to the subject with easy to understand scientific and spiritual use descriptions as well as the requisite gorgeous color photography is "Crystals" by Jennie Harding. I would highly recommend this book as a beginners book for both its scientific and spiritual perspectives. But as you get hungry for more, then's the time to purchase the National Audubon Society "Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals" book. From a solely scientific perspective, besides so many helpful photos, descriptions, glossary of terminology, etc., there are detailed sections on minerals/crystals and stone (granites, horneblends, etc.) Filled with technical but very helpful details on identification and collection, if you want to investigate the subject from strictly an academic or collector's pov, make this your initial purchase. As you go deeper, you may find your scientific interest as well as the continued visual appeal of the subject may continue stimulating you into finding out even more about crystals and other minerals and rocks. That's the time to purchase this beauty of a book. Written from an academic perspective for other mineralogists, the descriptors are extremely helpful with the accompanying photo examples. Often the same mineral will appear in different colors and thus is represented in various sections; this is very helpful for identification purposes when crosschecking for species ID. A cool feature: there is even a small section on meteorites. A Master's level book and must have for mineralogy enthusiasts. Buy all three of these books and you'll never need another reference on the subject and hobby.

One of the best books for describing rocks and minerals. Good size for in the field. Very good pictures. Always with me on a rock hunt.

Great explanations, very precise and to the point, gorgeous photos and examples - has everything you need as a geology student. I am a first year Earth& Environmental student and I really need this for my 1st semester and 3rd semester, even has some crystallography! Only disappointed it came beat up but its nothing a bit of tape cant fix. Sucks though, but oh well.

This book is perhaps the largest collection of gemstones, rocks, and minerals you'll find on Amazon. I have looked through the table of contents for many books related to this topic and this book probably has the most content. Each item in the book is described by its geometric class, color, luster, hardness, chemical composition, brittleness, origins, and similarities with other items. It's truly a fascinating book with all of the really clear pictures. I purchased this as a gift for someone who really enjoys knowing all of this and I am thinking about getting it for myself.

Loads of information, beautiful pictures. Streak test information and the gemstones are categorized by streak color. Crystal form identification, Morphology, origin, hardness, accessory minerals, simular minerals they can be confuses with and so much more. If you want to learn about the mineral itself, and not looking metaphysical properties like most books, then this book is for you.

This book has decent pictures but most specimens are limited to only one picture. The information, while interesting, is mostly about chemical makeup and how to discern one mineral from another. No information on where to locate minerals or anything really for rockhounding. It's an interesting read though.

Recently inherited a rock collection from a family member who passed away. I wanted to have the names of the stones to display them, as well as just know more about them. The guide is easy to use and so far has help me identify a few of the minerals already. Looking forward to using it more.

Good quality and quick shipment

Lovely book full of loads of rocks and minerals. Well set out and easy to look up. Colour coded although vast majority seem to be white :-)

Great reference material for my young grandson who has an interest in geology -brilliant colour photography!

Mooi boek maar gewoon in een verzend envelop gepropt zonder enig verpakking of bescherming.

Great book, nice size print and good information. The best rock hound book I have purchased so far.

This is a very much needed up to date book about minerals. A handy encyclopaedia that covers minerals, rocks and gems, also meteorites for completeness. With some 700 different kinds of minerals and 800 colour images, this book covers all the common mineral species, plus an extensive range of the rarer attractive minerals that will delight. A wide range of images is included with common species having several images each covering the different varieties encountered. Overall, this is a superb guide for all collectors, both beginners and the more advanced. Treat yourselves folks!