Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, 13 May 2004
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

A Sound Investment, 24 Nov 2002
This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive books you can buy on the subject of rocks and minerals. It covers over 500 specimens in every detail including their composition, hardness, SG, cleavage and fracture and each description is accompaned by a faithful and sometimes beautiful photograph of the specimen. The example of blue Smithsonite which looks uncannily like a leaping Dolphin is particularly nice.

The whole book is well set out as you would expect from a Dorling Kindersley publication and it is suitable for beginners and experts alike as it is an extremely good reference book.

100% PERFECT, 22 Nov 2002
This book could not be better. I am studying geology AS/A2 level at sixth form and was struggling to get to grips with alot of the rocks and minerals, i then bought this book from amazon, (great delivery) and it has helped me massively, for anyone doing geology at AS/A2 this book is a simple MUST HAVE. Buy this book now, you will regret it if you dont.

a very usefull book for students of every age!, 12 Feb 2002
I am a university student, studying geology in detail for the first time,as part of a geography degree, so this book is very useful, with all the information i required. This would also be interesting for someone needing a less advanced knowledge, or just an general interest. Definately worth its money.

Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, 13 May 2004
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

A Sound Investment, 24 Nov 2002
This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive books you can buy on the subject of rocks and minerals. It covers over 500 specimens in every detail including their composition, hardness, SG, cleavage and fracture and each description is accompaned by a faithful and sometimes beautiful photograph of the specimen. The example of blue Smithsonite which looks uncannily like a leaping Dolphin is particularly nice.

The whole book is well set out as you would expect from a Dorling Kindersley publication and it is suitable for beginners and experts alike as it is an extremely good reference book.

100% PERFECT, 22 Nov 2002
This book could not be better. I am studying geology AS/A2 level at sixth form and was struggling to get to grips with alot of the rocks and minerals, i then bought this book from amazon, (great delivery) and it has helped me massively, for anyone doing geology at AS/A2 this book is a simple MUST HAVE. Buy this book now, you will regret it if you dont.

a very usefull book for students of every age!, 12 Feb 2002
I am a university student, studying geology in detail for the first time,as part of a geography degree, so this book is very useful, with all the information i required. This would also be interesting for someone needing a less advanced knowledge, or just an general interest. Definately worth its money.

interesting little guide book to jewelry gems, 04 Apr 2007
Although the cover shows a raw gem, this book is oriented towards jewelry gems, and most photos show faceted and polished gems. Most entries are brief (generally one per page, but some more), but each one I've looked at is interesting, with information about where the stone comes from, and technical information about chemical composition and crystal form. There are technical charts and tables at the end. The book is small but gives the impression of being a reduced-size version of a larger book, because the print is small and each entry is fairly contentful. Definitely an interesting & informative browse in a fairly small package.

Clear and informative, as expected from Nat.Hist.Museum, 09 Dec 2001
Gives information on the most common gemsones in an easy to read format. The photographs are excellent.A very good introduction to the subject, suitable for all age ranges.

Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, 13 May 2004
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

A Sound Investment, 24 Nov 2002
This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive books you can buy on the subject of rocks and minerals. It covers over 500 specimens in every detail including their composition, hardness, SG, cleavage and fracture and each description is accompaned by a faithful and sometimes beautiful photograph of the specimen. The example of blue Smithsonite which looks uncannily like a leaping Dolphin is particularly nice.

The whole book is well set out as you would expect from a Dorling Kindersley publication and it is suitable for beginners and experts alike as it is an extremely good reference book.

100% PERFECT, 22 Nov 2002
This book could not be better. I am studying geology AS/A2 level at sixth form and was struggling to get to grips with alot of the rocks and minerals, i then bought this book from amazon, (great delivery) and it has helped me massively, for anyone doing geology at AS/A2 this book is a simple MUST HAVE. Buy this book now, you will regret it if you dont.

a very usefull book for students of every age!, 12 Feb 2002
I am a university student, studying geology in detail for the first time,as part of a geography degree, so this book is very useful, with all the information i required. This would also be interesting for someone needing a less advanced knowledge, or just an general interest. Definately worth its money.

interesting little guide book to jewelry gems, 04 Apr 2007
Although the cover shows a raw gem, this book is oriented towards jewelry gems, and most photos show faceted and polished gems. Most entries are brief (generally one per page, but some more), but each one I've looked at is interesting, with information about where the stone comes from, and technical information about chemical composition and crystal form. There are technical charts and tables at the end. The book is small but gives the impression of being a reduced-size version of a larger book, because the print is small and each entry is fairly contentful. Definitely an interesting & informative browse in a fairly small package.

Clear and informative, as expected from Nat.Hist.Museum, 09 Dec 2001
Gives information on the most common gemsones in an easy to read format. The photographs are excellent.A very good introduction to the subject, suitable for all age ranges.

Crystal clear, 08 Sep 2007
A wonderful book. I am a professional chemist with an interest in geology but not working in this field. I learned much more about crystal structures and crystal habits that from my inorganic and structure chemistry studies. Very well written, very clear figures and diagrams. I congratulate the author to a very good job. Too bad the world isn't yet ready for it to become a top ten best seller.

Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, 13 May 2004
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

A Sound Investment, 24 Nov 2002
This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive books you can buy on the subject of rocks and minerals. It covers over 500 specimens in every detail including their composition, hardness, SG, cleavage and fracture and each description is accompaned by a faithful and sometimes beautiful photograph of the specimen. The example of blue Smithsonite which looks uncannily like a leaping Dolphin is particularly nice.

The whole book is well set out as you would expect from a Dorling Kindersley publication and it is suitable for beginners and experts alike as it is an extremely good reference book.

100% PERFECT, 22 Nov 2002
This book could not be better. I am studying geology AS/A2 level at sixth form and was struggling to get to grips with alot of the rocks and minerals, i then bought this book from amazon, (great delivery) and it has helped me massively, for anyone doing geology at AS/A2 this book is a simple MUST HAVE. Buy this book now, you will regret it if you dont.

a very usefull book for students of every age!, 12 Feb 2002
I am a university student, studying geology in detail for the first time,as part of a geography degree, so this book is very useful, with all the information i required. This would also be interesting for someone needing a less advanced knowledge, or just an general interest. Definately worth its money.

interesting little guide book to jewelry gems, 04 Apr 2007
Although the cover shows a raw gem, this book is oriented towards jewelry gems, and most photos show faceted and polished gems. Most entries are brief (generally one per page, but some more), but each one I've looked at is interesting, with information about where the stone comes from, and technical information about chemical composition and crystal form. There are technical charts and tables at the end. The book is small but gives the impression of being a reduced-size version of a larger book, because the print is small and each entry is fairly contentful. Definitely an interesting & informative browse in a fairly small package.

Clear and informative, as expected from Nat.Hist.Museum, 09 Dec 2001
Gives information on the most common gemsones in an easy to read format. The photographs are excellent.A very good introduction to the subject, suitable for all age ranges.

Crystal clear, 08 Sep 2007
A wonderful book. I am a professional chemist with an interest in geology but not working in this field. I learned much more about crystal structures and crystal habits that from my inorganic and structure chemistry studies. Very well written, very clear figures and diagrams. I congratulate the author to a very good job. Too bad the world isn't yet ready for it to become a top ten best seller.

The most colourful and comprehensive book on Crystals, 10 May 2002
You will not find a book so packed with so many photographs of so many crystals and minerals as this one.The photography is beautiful and the obvious love that Melody has for crystals shines through in this book.Crystal lovers should not be without this book.

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, 13 May 2004
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

A Sound Investment, 24 Nov 2002
This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive books you can buy on the subject of rocks and minerals. It covers over 500 specimens in every detail including their composition, hardness, SG, cleavage and fracture and each description is accompaned by a faithful and sometimes beautiful photograph of the specimen. The example of blue Smithsonite which looks uncannily like a leaping Dolphin is particularly nice.

The whole book is well set out as you would expect from a Dorling Kindersley publication and it is suitable for beginners and experts alike as it is an extremely good reference book.

100% PERFECT, 22 Nov 2002
This book could not be better. I am studying geology AS/A2 level at sixth form and was struggling to get to grips with alot of the rocks and minerals, i then bought this book from amazon, (great delivery) and it has helped me massively, for anyone doing geology at AS/A2 this book is a simple MUST HAVE. Buy this book now, you will regret it if you dont.

a very usefull book for students of every age!, 12 Feb 2002
I am a university student, studying geology in detail for the first time,as part of a geography degree, so this book is very useful, with all the information i required. This would also be interesting for someone needing a less advanced knowledge, or just an general interest. Definately worth its money.

interesting little guide book to jewelry gems, 04 Apr 2007
Although the cover shows a raw gem, this book is oriented towards jewelry gems, and most photos show faceted and polished gems. Most entries are brief (generally one per page, but some more), but each one I've looked at is interesting, with information about where the stone comes from, and technical information about chemical composition and crystal form. There are technical charts and tables at the end. The book is small but gives the impression of being a reduced-size version of a larger book, because the print is small and each entry is fairly contentful. Definitely an interesting & informative browse in a fairly small package.

Clear and informative, as expected from Nat.Hist.Museum, 09 Dec 2001
Gives information on the most common gemsones in an easy to read format. The photographs are excellent.A very good introduction to the subject, suitable for all age ranges.

Crystal clear, 08 Sep 2007
A wonderful book. I am a professional chemist with an interest in geology but not working in this field. I learned much more about crystal structures and crystal habits that from my inorganic and structure chemistry studies. Very well written, very clear figures and diagrams. I congratulate the author to a very good job. Too bad the world isn't yet ready for it to become a top ten best seller.

The most colourful and comprehensive book on Crystals, 10 May 2002
You will not find a book so packed with so many photographs of so many crystals and minerals as this one.The photography is beautiful and the obvious love that Melody has for crystals shines through in this book.Crystal lovers should not be without this book.

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

Excellent, informative and very well written book, 09 Sep 1999
This book focus on Mineralogy with a perspective that is refreshing, bridging an important gap between all those people that, one way or the other, deal with minerals, and I mean geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, and of course mineralogists. The book presents very up-to-date material on subjects that normally are absent from traditional books on Mineralogy: spectroscopic methods, principles of electron microscopy, defects in minerals, thermodynamics and kinetics, phase transitions, just to mention the most relevant ones. The way these subjects are treated is really accessible, even for the less mathematical and physical inclined reader and a number of features are explained in an extraordinary intuitive way. This book tries to get people look to minerals as dynamic things and not merely passive characters of a play where tectonic, metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous processes are what really count. In traditional courses on geology, mineralogy is, most of the times, a systematic and boring stuff, catching attention only when the beauty of crystals are shown. This book shows how this can be very different, although there is not many people who really care about it.

Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, 13 May 2004
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

A Sound Investment, 24 Nov 2002
This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive books you can buy on the subject of rocks and minerals. It covers over 500 specimens in every detail including their composition, hardness, SG, cleavage and fracture and each description is accompaned by a faithful and sometimes beautiful photograph of the specimen. The example of blue Smithsonite which looks uncannily like a leaping Dolphin is particularly nice.

The whole book is well set out as you would expect from a Dorling Kindersley publication and it is suitable for beginners and experts alike as it is an extremely good reference book.

100% PERFECT, 22 Nov 2002
This book could not be better. I am studying geology AS/A2 level at sixth form and was struggling to get to grips with alot of the rocks and minerals, i then bought this book from amazon, (great delivery) and it has helped me massively, for anyone doing geology at AS/A2 this book is a simple MUST HAVE. Buy this book now, you will regret it if you dont.

a very usefull book for students of every age!, 12 Feb 2002
I am a university student, studying geology in detail for the first time,as part of a geography degree, so this book is very useful, with all the information i required. This would also be interesting for someone needing a less advanced knowledge, or just an general interest. Definately worth its money.

interesting little guide book to jewelry gems, 04 Apr 2007
Although the cover shows a raw gem, this book is oriented towards jewelry gems, and most photos show faceted and polished gems. Most entries are brief (generally one per page, but some more), but each one I've looked at is interesting, with information about where the stone comes from, and technical information about chemical composition and crystal form. There are technical charts and tables at the end. The book is small but gives the impression of being a reduced-size version of a larger book, because the print is small and each entry is fairly contentful. Definitely an interesting & informative browse in a fairly small package.

Clear and informative, as expected from Nat.Hist.Museum, 09 Dec 2001
Gives information on the most common gemsones in an easy to read format. The photographs are excellent.A very good introduction to the subject, suitable for all age ranges.

Crystal clear, 08 Sep 2007
A wonderful book. I am a professional chemist with an interest in geology but not working in this field. I learned much more about crystal structures and crystal habits that from my inorganic and structure chemistry studies. Very well written, very clear figures and diagrams. I congratulate the author to a very good job. Too bad the world isn't yet ready for it to become a top ten best seller.

The most colourful and comprehensive book on Crystals, 10 May 2002
You will not find a book so packed with so many photographs of so many crystals and minerals as this one.The photography is beautiful and the obvious love that Melody has for crystals shines through in this book.Crystal lovers should not be without this book.

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

Excellent, informative and very well written book, 09 Sep 1999
This book focus on Mineralogy with a perspective that is refreshing, bridging an important gap between all those people that, one way or the other, deal with minerals, and I mean geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, and of course mineralogists. The book presents very up-to-date material on subjects that normally are absent from traditional books on Mineralogy: spectroscopic methods, principles of electron microscopy, defects in minerals, thermodynamics and kinetics, phase transitions, just to mention the most relevant ones. The way these subjects are treated is really accessible, even for the less mathematical and physical inclined reader and a number of features are explained in an extraordinary intuitive way. This book tries to get people look to minerals as dynamic things and not merely passive characters of a play where tectonic, metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous processes are what really count. In traditional courses on geology, mineralogy is, most of the times, a systematic and boring stuff, catching attention only when the beauty of crystals are shown. This book shows how this can be very different, although there is not many people who really care about it.

It's a keeper!, 12 Aug 1999
I've had this book for well over 20 years, and every couple of years I get it back out, re-read it and try a few new experiments. This book would be good for a child (with supervision) who is interested in cause-and-effects relations of science. Some simple crystal experiments may be carried out in hours, some take longer.

Even an old engineer still enjoys this book!

Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, 13 May 2004
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

A Sound Investment, 24 Nov 2002
This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive books you can buy on the subject of rocks and minerals. It covers over 500 specimens in every detail including their composition, hardness, SG, cleavage and fracture and each description is accompaned by a faithful and sometimes beautiful photograph of the specimen. The example of blue Smithsonite which looks uncannily like a leaping Dolphin is particularly nice.

The whole book is well set out as you would expect from a Dorling Kindersley publication and it is suitable for beginners and experts alike as it is an extremely good reference book.

100% PERFECT, 22 Nov 2002
This book could not be better. I am studying geology AS/A2 level at sixth form and was struggling to get to grips with alot of the rocks and minerals, i then bought this book from amazon, (great delivery) and it has helped me massively, for anyone doing geology at AS/A2 this book is a simple MUST HAVE. Buy this book now, you will regret it if you dont.

a very usefull book for students of every age!, 12 Feb 2002
I am a university student, studying geology in detail for the first time,as part of a geography degree, so this book is very useful, with all the information i required. This would also be interesting for someone needing a less advanced knowledge, or just an general interest. Definately worth its money.

interesting little guide book to jewelry gems, 04 Apr 2007
Although the cover shows a raw gem, this book is oriented towards jewelry gems, and most photos show faceted and polished gems. Most entries are brief (generally one per page, but some more), but each one I've looked at is interesting, with information about where the stone comes from, and technical information about chemical composition and crystal form. There are technical charts and tables at the end. The book is small but gives the impression of being a reduced-size version of a larger book, because the print is small and each entry is fairly contentful. Definitely an interesting & informative browse in a fairly small package.

Clear and informative, as expected from Nat.Hist.Museum, 09 Dec 2001
Gives information on the most common gemsones in an easy to read format. The photographs are excellent.A very good introduction to the subject, suitable for all age ranges.

Crystal clear, 08 Sep 2007
A wonderful book. I am a professional chemist with an interest in geology but not working in this field. I learned much more about crystal structures and crystal habits that from my inorganic and structure chemistry studies. Very well written, very clear figures and diagrams. I congratulate the author to a very good job. Too bad the world isn't yet ready for it to become a top ten best seller.

The most colourful and comprehensive book on Crystals, 10 May 2002
You will not find a book so packed with so many photographs of so many crystals and minerals as this one.The photography is beautiful and the obvious love that Melody has for crystals shines through in this book.Crystal lovers should not be without this book.

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

Excellent, informative and very well written book, 09 Sep 1999
This book focus on Mineralogy with a perspective that is refreshing, bridging an important gap between all those people that, one way or the other, deal with minerals, and I mean geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, and of course mineralogists. The book presents very up-to-date material on subjects that normally are absent from traditional books on Mineralogy: spectroscopic methods, principles of electron microscopy, defects in minerals, thermodynamics and kinetics, phase transitions, just to mention the most relevant ones. The way these subjects are treated is really accessible, even for the less mathematical and physical inclined reader and a number of features are explained in an extraordinary intuitive way. This book tries to get people look to minerals as dynamic things and not merely passive characters of a play where tectonic, metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous processes are what really count. In traditional courses on geology, mineralogy is, most of the times, a systematic and boring stuff, catching attention only when the beauty of crystals are shown. This book shows how this can be very different, although there is not many people who really care about it.

It's a keeper!, 12 Aug 1999
I've had this book for well over 20 years, and every couple of years I get it back out, re-read it and try a few new experiments. This book would be good for a child (with supervision) who is interested in cause-and-effects relations of science. Some simple crystal experiments may be carried out in hours, some take longer.

Even an old engineer still enjoys this book!

An extension of crystal groups generalised in tensor form, 14 Jul 2001
Although crystallographers have been used to formulation of crystal structures and morphology in terms of group theory, very few have considered the logical extension of group methods as generalised tensor forms. Tensor theory is an unfamiliar subject for chemists and mineralogists, although physicists necessarily meet it as an extension of vector algebra in such topics as general relativity and the elasticity of solids. This book provides a consistent and comprehensive formulation of the tensor approach to the definition of crystal morphology, symmetry and properties. It is not a book to be dipped into. Anyone wishing to master this approach must start at the first page and conscientiously work his or her way through the book.

Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, 13 May 2004
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

A Sound Investment, 24 Nov 2002
This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive books you can buy on the subject of rocks and minerals. It covers over 500 specimens in every detail including their composition, hardness, SG, cleavage and fracture and each description is accompaned by a faithful and sometimes beautiful photograph of the specimen. The example of blue Smithsonite which looks uncannily like a leaping Dolphin is particularly nice.

The whole book is well set out as you would expect from a Dorling Kindersley publication and it is suitable for beginners and experts alike as it is an extremely good reference book.

100% PERFECT, 22 Nov 2002
This book could not be better. I am studying geology AS/A2 level at sixth form and was struggling to get to grips with alot of the rocks and minerals, i then bought this book from amazon, (great delivery) and it has helped me massively, for anyone doing geology at AS/A2 this book is a simple MUST HAVE. Buy this book now, you will regret it if you dont.

a very usefull book for students of every age!, 12 Feb 2002
I am a university student, studying geology in detail for the first time,as part of a geography degree, so this book is very useful, with all the information i required. This would also be interesting for someone needing a less advanced knowledge, or just an general interest. Definately worth its money.

interesting little guide book to jewelry gems, 04 Apr 2007
Although the cover shows a raw gem, this book is oriented towards jewelry gems, and most photos show faceted and polished gems. Most entries are brief (generally one per page, but some more), but each one I've looked at is interesting, with information about where the stone comes from, and technical information about chemical composition and crystal form. There are technical charts and tables at the end. The book is small but gives the impression of being a reduced-size version of a larger book, because the print is small and each entry is fairly contentful. Definitely an interesting & informative browse in a fairly small package.

Clear and informative, as expected from Nat.Hist.Museum, 09 Dec 2001
Gives information on the most common gemsones in an easy to read format. The photographs are excellent.A very good introduction to the subject, suitable for all age ranges.

Crystal clear, 08 Sep 2007
A wonderful book. I am a professional chemist with an interest in geology but not working in this field. I learned much more about crystal structures and crystal habits that from my inorganic and structure chemistry studies. Very well written, very clear figures and diagrams. I congratulate the author to a very good job. Too bad the world isn't yet ready for it to become a top ten best seller.

The most colourful and comprehensive book on Crystals, 10 May 2002
You will not find a book so packed with so many photographs of so many crystals and minerals as this one.The photography is beautiful and the obvious love that Melody has for crystals shines through in this book.Crystal lovers should not be without this book.

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, 28 Mar 2001
This is the most comprehensive guide to minerals to date, each with a colour photograph and excellent description. A must for people seriously interested in therapeutic use of minerals. A wellcome addition to 'Love is in the Earth'

Excellent, informative and very well written book, 09 Sep 1999
This book focus on Mineralogy with a perspective that is refreshing, bridging an important gap between all those people that, one way or the other, deal with minerals, and I mean geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, and of course mineralogists. The book presents very up-to-date material on subjects that normally are absent from traditional books on Mineralogy: spectroscopic methods, principles of electron microscopy, defects in minerals, thermodynamics and kinetics, phase transitions, just to mention the most relevant ones. The way these subjects are treated is really accessible, even for the less mathematical and physical inclined reader and a number of features are explained in an extraordinary intuitive way. This book tries to get people look to minerals as dynamic things and not merely passive characters of a play where tectonic, metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous processes are what really count. In traditional courses on geology, mineralogy is, most of the times, a systematic and boring stuff, catching attention only when the beauty of crystals are shown. This book shows how this can be very different, although there is not many people who really care about it.

It's a keeper!, 12 Aug 1999
I've had this book for well over 20 years, and every couple of years I get it back out, re-read it and try a few new experiments. This book would be good for a child (with supervision) who is interested in cause-and-effects relations of science. Some simple crystal experiments may be carried out in hours, some take longer.

Even an old engineer still enjoys this book!

An extension of crystal groups generalised in tensor form, 14 Jul 2001
Although crystallographers have been used to formulation of crystal structures and morphology in terms of group theory, very few have considered the logical extension of group methods as generalised tensor forms. Tensor theory is an unfamiliar subject for chemists and mineralogists, although physicists necessarily meet it as an extension of vector algebra in such topics as general relativity and the elasticity of solids. This book provides a consistent and comprehensive formulation of the tensor approach to the definition of crystal morphology, symmetry and properties. It is not a book to be dipped into. Anyone wishing to master this approach must start at the first page and conscientiously work his or her way through the book.

practical to ore deposits, 31 May 2003
this text is an excellent purchase!! i'm at university and one of my modules were ore deposits. this is an excellent, with well presented graphics and text. this is a must to buy!!!