The Practical Encyclopedia of Rocks and Minerals: How to Find, Identify, Collect and Preserve the World's Best Specimens, with Over 1000 Photographs and Artworks - Hardcover

John Farndon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1844776700 ISBN 13: 9781844776702

Publisher: Hermes House, 2015

Synopsis

This is the ultimate photographic guide to the world of rocks and minerals, and how to build your own collection. A comprehensive introduction explains the formation and classification of the many types of rock and mineral, with inspirational photographs of some of the world's most bizarre and beautiful examples. Expertly written text describes the impact of factors such as time, weather and water erosion on the development of rocks and minerals in the landscape, and the part played by natural phenomena such as volcanoes and earthquakes. It clarifies how contact with heat and pressure can affect external characteristics, and prompt the metamorphosis of one rock into another. There is advice for the amateur geologist on using equipment, field work, maps, tools and home testing techniques, to identify and source geological specimens in the field. In the second part of the book a comprehensive photographic directory illustrates over 300 examples of minerals and rocks from all over the world. Specimens are grouped according to their chemical composition and characteristics, and all entries include quick-reference identification checklists to aid recognition. Featuring over 800 photographs and artworks, this is a one-stop reference, visual encyclopedia and field guide on a richly consuming and endlessly fascinating subject. The ultimate visual encyclopedia of rocks and minerals, with a directory of over 300 specimens and over 800 photographs and artworks A fascinating introduction looks at the origins of rocks and minerals and their impact on the landscape, including global examples of striking formations plus explanatory diagrams Instructs the amateur geologist on how to identify and extract samples safely, clean and store specimens, and build and present their own unique collection Provides step-by-step guidance on simple home testing techniques, to gauge shade, hardness, cleavage, lustre, tenacity, transparency and more A comprehensive photographic directory enables the reader to identify specimens by sight, and includes specially-commissioned artworks demonstrating shapes and structures Practical information on the wider relevance of precious rocks and minerals to industry and the environment

About this title

About the Author

John Farndon studied Earth Science at Cambridge University, UK, and has written a number of books and articles on the subject since, including Dorling Kindersley's Dictionary of the Earth, and the Rocks and Minerals section of their multimedia Earth science project. He has also written The Rock and Crystal Collection (Sterling), Collecting Minerals (Sterling) and Rocks and Minerals (Benchmark Books).

Edition details

• Publisher: Hermes House
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1844776700
• ISBN 13: 9781844776702
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256