Reviews (2)

A classic and still the best
There isn't one single aspect of field collecting and processing minerals that Mr. Sinkankas has neglected in this classic manual. It has inspired generations of enthusiasts, myself included. My favorite feature remains the clear illustrations, including cross-sections of his favorite vug pockets, proper placement of gads, prospecting with ultraviolet light, and the copious photographs of geomorphological indicators. For the absolute beginner and experienced hand alike, this is heady stuff. It's practically a mini-geology course in a book. Mr. Sinkankas' style couldn't be easier to read. If you ever run across his classic Mineralogy, snag it. It'll have you hooked for life.

How to Field Collect Minerals
This is the third edition; the first in 1961 was titled Gemstones and Minerals: How and Where to Find Them, the second in 1970 was titled Prospecting for Gemstones and Minerals, and this third edition is perhaps the most appropriately titled; all editions are very similar with minor changes, and all are excellent.

This clearly written how-to book is written for the layman, with very descriptive text accompanied by diagrams and pictures. Not a guide to localities, nor a descriptive mineralogy (see the author's excellent mineralogy text for that); this tells HOW to collect minerals. Chapters cover field trips, tools and how to use them, rock classes and how to recognize them, how mineral deposits form, field features of mineral deposits (pegmatites, sulfide veins, basalt and diabase sills, alpine vugs, etc.), collecting practices, preparation of specimens (cleaning, trimming, and preservation), storage and exhibit (labelling, cataloging, assembling and arrangement), with useful appendices, bibliography, and index.

I bought an edition years ago and soon found it very useful, particularly the section on Tools and How to Use Them. For field collecting, this book shows you how. -DMM ... Read more

Book Description

This book has quadrangle information to help locate rocks and minerals throughout the state. Has an identification key, color photos, two-color locality maps, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Review by a professional geologist
Good luck on finding mineral sites using this guide. While the minerals may be in the areas indicated, the maps are so crude that the likelihood of your finding the sites is very poor. I have tried using the guide for several years with almost no success.

Rocks and Minerals of California
Well worth what I paid for it. This book has lots of information and would make a good reference for the Geology of California.

The maps though, don't say what the major highways/roads are, so you'll need another map. I have the book Roadside Geology of North/Central California, and this book goes really well with it.

In some ways, Rocks and Minerals of California I think is more useful, despite the missing road ID. The book has sections of counties (not all but most) and minerals found in those areas. Also, quadrangle information, township/range locations of minerals is listed. ... Read more

Book Description

This book will lead you past the bustling overlooks, and beyond the busy trails to the heart of spiritually-inspiring Grand Canyon. Standard hikes like Thunder River and Nankoweap are covered, as well as numerous lesser-known routes. Maps and photos accompany every route description in this easy to use guide. This is the book to have for the best hikes along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An indispensible tool for your Grand Canyon River Hikes
Author Tyler Williams has written an easy to use and beautifully crafted guide to hikes in Grand Canyon. The routes presented range from simple jaunts to more strenuous overnights and lead you to the must see and lesser known destinations from the river in the Grand Canyon.

Clear maps, concise route instructions and hike difficulty ratings help you to plan what to wear and what to carry on your hikes. I really liked the information on best time of year to undertake the hikes in different locales as temperature extremes in Grand Canyon coupled with remoteness, can turn a fun walk into a survival epic.

I have used this guide on my Grand Canyon river trip and it will be the first thing I pack in my ammo can for that next trip. The beautiful photos throughout the book are something I look at again and again and they stir the memories I have of sandals gripping on polished limestone, narrow passages leading to cool, green waterfalls, and hot trudges climbing across desert landscapes that give way to heartstopping views.

A must-have guide for those going down the Colorado River
Although you don't have to be going down the Grand Canyon on a raft to get the most out of this guide, this will greatly enhance your experience if you are.

This book is jam-packed with the information you want. If you've ever been on a raft and wondered "Hey, what's up that side canyon?", Williams tells you all you need to know, from what mile marker the hike starts at, to where to park your boat and camp, to how long and difficult the hike is and what you'll see.

The book includes maps and gorgeous photographs to augment the text, plus background information on the Grand Canyon--geology, history, politics, and folklore--that's just plain good reading.

If you're one of the lucky ones who gets to paddle down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon each year, DO NOT GO without this book to take that experience to a new level. And if you're one of the many folks who explores the Canyon by hiking in from the top, here's a book with a bunch of information you don't want to be without. ... Read more

Book Description

Millions of people are now wearing “power beads,” but few realize that the power comes from the color and type of stone. Chakra Power Beads shows readers how to improve their health, spirit, and fortune by harnessing this energy. Taking a hands-on approach to the ancient chakra system, it explains the importance of each of the seven chakras, then focuses on using the chakras to change one’s life. ... Read more

Book Description

More than one third of New Mexico is public land holding hugeamounts of mineralogical treasure.Find unusual mineral displays,fossils, jasper, agate, petrified wood, and more obsidian than onerockhound could collect in a lifetime.The array and quality ofmaterial found in New Mexico are almost mind boggling. The Rockhound'sGuide to New Mexico describes 75 of the state's best rockhoundingsites, covering the popular and commercial sites as well as numerouslittle-known areas. This handy guide describes where and how to collectspecimens, includes maps and directions to each site, and providesrecommendations for accommodations, camping, and other specialattractions.The Rockhound's Guide to New Mexico offers a completeintroduction to the many-faceted hobby and is an outstanding guide andsourcebook. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

2003 summer review
I enjoyed reading this book the author has put a good amount of time and effort in the collection of collecting sites. I like the format used including the best time of the year to collect. In the southwest it does get really really hot in the summer. The elevation is also important for people with mid winter cabin fever. I used that data to successfully collect petrified wood in Cuba in January. The forward introduction is important to read for people not used to living and hiking in New Mexico. I have given this book a three star rating based mainly on it's age. It's been around since 1995. that means that the site data is eight years old. I found that the sites near big cities like Albuquerque tended to be picked over or even worse closed to collecting. All of the west has had a population boom and New Mexico is no exception. the sites near smaller towns were fairly well intact. If you are going to use this book or any other guide I would check with local rock shops before traveling any distance to a new site. If the author or the published ever reads this review I would like to suggest that in the site location that they include the GPS data for main turn - offs and the initial starting points for collecting. In the case of this book eight years is a long time for forest service roads to stay intact or new ones created. I also use Mapping software on my PC to pull up topo and aerial maps of the area. I would also suggest a notation on every site listing the date when it was visited. ... Read more

Book Description

Part of the Fred Ward Gem Book Series. This lavishly-illustrated book in the all-color seriess includes History & Lore, Hunt for Treasure, Romancing the Stone, Jewels and Artifacts, Created Emeralds, Fakes, and Imitations, and Buying and Caring. This book provides the ideal introduction to one of the world's most famous gems. Follow author Fred Ward around the world in search for the most important examples of this and historic gemstone. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A great introduction to emeralds
This book is a fairly short book on Emeralds. Ward gives the reader a great introduction to the world of emeralds without losing the reader in a bunch of scientific jargon. Though the book is very short for its price,it is full of great color pictures and information. The photography in this book alone makes it a must have for emerald lovers. The only complaint that I have about the photograph is that many of the pictures are taken zoomed in so the reader has a tough time determining the actual size of the subjects. Ward touches on the ancient history of these beautiful gems and explores modern day sources of the world's emeralds. Ward also discusses treatments of emeralds before sale, care of emerald jewlery, and there is a particularly interesting section on the making of synthetic emeralds. I would recomend this book to anyone with an interest in emeralds, but I would not recomend it to those looking for a particularly scientific book or a buyer's guide. This little book is packed with information and photographs that won't let you down.

"Emeralds, filled with information"
I read Fred Ward's book "Emeralds", a part of his gem series, for an oral report I had to do for school. This book is packed with information on emeralds, from general info, to the cutting process; this book has it all! Not only is Fred Ward a talented author and researcher, but also he takes magnificent photographs. This book has lots of beautiful pictures of emeralds from all over the world. Fred Ward gives you a history of emeralds and their importance with the ancients. And shows and tells you about some of the beautiful jewelry that emeralds are in today, as well in the past. It even has a buying guide that shows what to look for when buying emeralds. I did tons of research for my report, and used a lot of books, but none of them even came close to "Emeralds". ... Read more

Book Description

A reference guide to gems, semi-precious stones and crystals.

Gemstones and crystals are used for jewelry, industry, lasers and precision technology. Firefly Guide to Gems is a practical, compact guide to the identification and use of precious and semi-precious stones, novelty stones, agates and crystals.

An introduction explains geology, chemistry and gemstone properties in clear and accessible terms. Key aspects of gemstones are explained such as crystal structures and optical and physical properties.

The first section of the book focuses on precious gems in their many forms, with illustrations of priceless jewelry. Practical information includes: - Fashioning and cutting - Types and shapes of cut - Collecting - Handling and storing gemstones - Weighing and measuring stones

The second and main section supplies complete descriptions of a wide range of gems, organized by chemical composition, for instance: - Carbon (diamond) - Aluminum oxide (saphire and ruby) - Phosphate (turquoise) - Silica (opal)

A fascinating profile of each gem is accompanied with color photographs of the raw crystal, common cuts, and finally polished for use in jewelry. At-a-glance charts provide technical details such as refractive index, crystal group, luster, hardness and cleavage for each gem.

Easy-to-read and abundantly illustrated, Firefly Guide to Gems is ideal for collectors and rockhounds. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A rich and thoroughly "user friendly" field guide
Cally Oldershaw's Guide To Gems is provides a rich and thoroughly "user friendly" field guide to the identification and use of gemstones provides even the most novice beginner with a fine introduction to not only identification, but the chemistry and geological properties of gems. Over a hundred varieties of gemstones accompany over 850 photos and 50 drawings, making for a colorful treasure trove in and of itself. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive laboratory manual teaches students taking their first course in petrography the techniques of describing and classifying rocks as well as how to apply those techniques to common igneous and metamorphic rocks. Essential features include: a listing of common minerals with their most important distinguishing optical properties; over two hundred illustrations detailing the relation between optics and crystal morphology; an accompanying CD-ROM with color slides illustrating rock-forming minerals and the textures of rocks, many with text and audio annotations by the author; descriptions of the textures and structures of igneous and metamorphic rocks; the most important properties of all the minerals compiled in an easy-to-access, full-color table; and a chart for determining the approximate modal (volume) percentage of minerals in rocks. The classification of igneous rocks used in the book is the one proposed by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) Subcommission of the Systematics of Igneous Rocks. A list of commonly used rock names--many not part of the IUGS classification--is keyed to this classification. Also, the widely used Irvine- Baragar classification of volcanic rocks is included. Dr. Philpotts has organized a large amount of information to be easily and rapidly accessible. He provides students with a concrete foundation, giving them experience and confidence as they encounter the field of petrography. ... Read more

Book Description

Geological Society of London Handbook Series Edited by Keith Cox Founded in 1807, the Geological Society of London has been publishing since 1845 and now distributes its journal to Fellows throughout the world. This handbook is published as part of a series of authoritative practical guides to field geology. The Field Description of Igneous Rocks Written to complement textbooks on igneous petrology, this handbook equips the student with all the information required to study igneous rocks in the field. It deals with observations from the scale of hand specimens and outcrops to regional mapping of field relationships. Igneous rocks range from volcanic rocks erupted at the Earth’s surface to plutonic rocks which crystallised at depth within the Earth,and the techniques to study these differ from those used for the field study in other volumes in this series. ‘…its genuine "handbook" size, flexible cover and realistic price should make it an affordable part of field equipment for all geology students.’ R. A. Howie, Mineralogical Magazine ... Read more

Book Description

This extensive new revision updates all the world's jade sources with 65 new color photographs as well as revised text on every page. The lavishly illustrated all-color book is part of the Fred Ward Gem Book Series. Chapters include: History & Lore; China and the Stone of Heaven; the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec; the Maori in New Zealand; Jade Today; and Buying & Caring for Jade. This book provides the ideal introduction to one of the world's oldest and most famous materials. Follow author Fred Ward around the world in search for the best, most significant, and beautiful examples of jadeite and nephrite, the two rocks known as jade. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Informative and nice pictures
There are not too many books on Jade, so I'm glad I found this one. It was pretty informative and had very nice photographs illustrating the author's points. It's worth it if you're in the jewelry business and want to know more about jade, and it's good for any jade collector. I found the information to be accurate.

Buy this book!!!
Like all of the Fred Ward Gem Books Series, this is an instant classic. It features National Geographic quality photos, no surprise since Ward has photographed/authored a number of articles for that magazine. My favorite section deals with the jade from Meso-America, used by the Olmec, Mayan and Aztec civilizations. But it also contains much on Burmese and Chinese jade. This is simply an outstanding book. Buy it. ... Read more

Book Description

Rockhounds from novice to expert seeking agate, opal, jasper,and malachite, or searching for petrified wood and fossils, are likelyto unearth these treasures in Nevada. Sparsely populated with millionsof acres of accessible public lands, Nevada holds geologic wonders. Thestate's 94 best rockhounding sites are featured in this well-researchedguidebook. Includes a list of museums of special geologic interest. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Nevada: Rockhounding
Excellent book! The directions are easy to follow and you find everything the author says you will. I visited 6 sites so far and am looking forward to visiting all of them.

You'll never go home home empty handed
This is a great guide . I have visited 10 of the sites so far . The directions are great - everything is right where they say it will be . I have found some really great rocks thanks to this guide. If you live in Nevada and like rockhounding don't pass this one up. ... Read more

Book Description

Part of the Fred Ward Gem Book Series. This lavishly illustrated book in the all-color series includes History and Lore, Hunt for Treasure, Romancing the Stone, Jewels and Artifacts, Synthetic and Industrial Diamonds, and Buying & Caring for Diamonds. This book provides the ideal introduction to the world's most famous gem. Follow author Fred Ward around the world in search for the most important examples of these beautiful and historic gemstones. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

amazingly good
I just finished reading the Fred Ward books "Diamonds" and "Rubies and Sapphires" in his gem series, and I was very pleasantly surprised. These books are entertaining as well as informative, and found myself telling obscure facts about the different gemstones to my friends and family. I was in the market for a ring with my fiance, and so found the books particularly insightful. Along with the writing, the color photography was absolutely sinful, with the most striking pictures of jewelry I have ever seen. Breathtaking. Definitely a must read, even if you think you aren't that interested in gems in the first place. I did think that the price of the books was exceedingly high, however, and I wish they would market them as an entire collection instead of just the separate books.

But all in all, wonderful read! ... Read more

Book Description

This book presents an up-to-date overview of cathodoluminescence microscopy and spectroscopy in the field of geosciences. For a decade, no books have been dedicated to this topic. This volume includes new important data on cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, physical parameters and systematic spectral analysis of doped minerals. Each chapter, written by a well-known specialist, covers classic and new fields of application such as carbonate diagenesis, silicates, brittle deformation in sandstones, gemstone recognition, biomineralization, economic geology or geochronology. It will be useful to all scientists, graduate students and professional engineers throughout the geosciences community. ... Read more

Book Description

Here at last, is the ultimate guidebook to actual locales that can be driven to for collecting rocks, minerals and fossils in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The four volumes, with over 1,200 maps, describe over 5,000 specific sites; this Volume 2 includes over 300 to-scale maps marked with over 1,000 collecting sites and detailed directions on getting there, the types of rocks, minerals and fossils to be found at each site, and how and where to search once you've arrived. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Can I quit my job and just go rockhounding, please?????
This book looks like it's going to be a GREAT asset in my mineral hunting! I like the way it's set up, by state and then by county within the state. It lists the various sites, tells what has been found at each site and (by a code explained in the front of the book) where in each site the minerals were (in a field, in a mine, in the water, etc.). I have to say, there are places here I had absolutely NO IDEA were so close to me, and in one site where I've been prospecting, it lists at least 12 other places nearby that I knew nothing about!

There are directions of varying degrees to each site. That's the one thing I'd quibble about -- some of the directions aren't that precise. But I understand that some of these sites are private lands, or not completely documented, and he can't come out and say, "Go fifty feet past the blue house, down a ravine, and to your left." In general, the directions seem good enough to get you close, and after that it's up to you.

He lists the rocks and minerals found at each site and gives some information about the quality at most places, including size of crystals found, color (and quality of color), and so on.

My only regret? I don't know if I'll have time to visit each site he has listed! So many rocks, so little time........ ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

This edition has been revised and expanded to reflect recent and varied developments in the highly specialized field of gemology. Among these are: gemstone synthesis; imitation gems; the alteration of gems to improve, add, remove or otherwise change their color, phenomena or clarity; the importance and widespread uses of the microscope to reflect the aforementioned developments; and a number of new gem minerals or new forms of previously described minerals recently discovered or actively marketed for the first time. The chapter on Descriptive Gemology has been divided into two groups: important gemstones (those gem materials most widely used in jewelry and ornamental objects) and less important gemstones (those less commonly encountered). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent reference source
This book is an excellent source of information for people interested in the field of gemmology. I have found that the contents covers a wide range of topics and presented in an easily understood format. It is a concise and well-illustrated book which makes it ideal as a reference book ... Read more

Book Description

With more than 130 color photographs and 170 drawings, this book shows how to read geological history: plate movements, earthquakes, glaciers, rivers, seas, and other forces that have shaped the earth over millions of years. Each geological region of eastern North America is described vividly and illustrated with detailed maps and cross sections. Highway tours tell where to go to find the best examples of each kind of formation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good book for amateur geologists...
This book is a good introduction to the overall principals of geology as well as to the specific geology of the eastern US. There's lots of diagrams, maps, photos and an easy to read text. Sections include background information about geology, the major geological features of an area and what you would see along the major highways of that area. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

What? You don't already have this book???

Buy this book, and when you can stop drooling at the pictures, call me and we will talk.

Gorgeous pictures, worth the cost of the book by themselves. A wide ranging course of study on the basics of the Amber trade and a comprehensive scientific primer on the nature of Amber, are a wonderful bonus.

The book also includes several methods for determining if what you have is real or synthetic Amber, as well as a solid discussion of the various types of fakes that are on the market, and how to spot them.

I sell Amber and Jet, both of which are fossil "gemstones" and I always recommend this book to my customers. A well informed customer is the best way to keep honest merchants in business, since they are unlikely to pass up quality work in favor of the "bargain" that is really a fake.

I recomend the book "Jet Jewelry and Ornaments" by Helen Muller for a similar overview on Jet. I can also recommend the Dorling and Kimberly (DK Books) Gemstone book for an overview of gemstones in general. ... Read more