Book Description

Environmental Interactions of Clays is the companion volume of Bruce Velde's book on Origin and Mineralogy of Clays. In dealing with the role of clays in specific environmental issues, it is unique in its subject matter. Individual chapters are written by recognized international experts in their field. Subjects covered are radioactive waste disposal, trace metals, soil quality and productivity, pesticides, landfill, fibrous minerals and health. The approach is one of combining review with current research, thus it is an invaluable resource for students, researchers and practitioners alike. ... Read more

Book Description

The fascinating six-hundred-year history of one of the world’s most coveted gems and the royal feuds, intrigues, and betrayals it engendered

The Sancy Diamond first came to Europe from India in the fourteenth century, and until 1661 it was the largest white diamond–and the most concentrated and secure form of wealth–in all of Christendom. Alternately believed to impart invincibility to its wearer and to bring ruin to any who owned it, the Sancy cast a seemingly mystical spell over everyone from the king of Portugal to Henry III of France to England’s Elizabeth I to Napoleon Bonaparte and Queen Maria Luisa of Spain.

The riveting account of one of the most hotly pursued gems in history, The Sancy Blood Diamond follows its six-century journey from the diamond mines of Golconda to where it now modestly resides at the Louvre, among the remnants of the French crown jewels. In a colorful, fast-paced narrative, historian Susan Ronald describes the often violent passions the Sancy engendered among many of the giants of European history. She also describes the pivotal roles it played on the chessboard of European geopolitics, and how it was used to raise armies, settle national debts, and enhance its owners’ power and prestige.

Working from primary sources, Ronald solves, once and for all, the mystery of the Sancy’s disappearances in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and she explores the legend of the Sancy curse, which arose after the violent deaths of Burgundy’s Charles the Bold, England’s Charles I, France’s Louis XVI, and other ill-fated owners. ... Read more

Book Description

Fascinating compendium of information about ever-present but lesser known realm of nature: minerals, crystals, rocks, precious metals, radioactive minerals, gems, fossil fuels, mining and milling, water resources, mineral collecting as a hobby and more. Easy-to-follow question-and-answer format. Over 30 illustrations. Bibliography. Index.
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Book Description

This is an ideal textbook for both advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It contains valuable coverage of the optical properties of minerals, as well as up-to-date descriptions of common rock-forming minerals. The chapters on optical theory include discussions of the nature and properties of light, the petrographic microscope, and the behavior of light in isotropic materials and in uniaxial and biaxial anisotropic materials. Thoroughly revised to include recent developments in the field, the book includes step-by-step procedures to guide students through the determination of all optical properties by which minerals are routinely identified with a petrographic microscope. Readers will find descriptive information on over 125 common rock forming minerals, and many photomicrographs and illustrations. The book also includes a flow sheet to guide students through the process of identifying an unknown mineral. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Handy Dandy Guide
This is a definate must have for all you Geologists out there. No matter what year of school you are in or even if you are no longer in school, but need a bit of reference now and again, this is the book to have. Nesse does an excellent job of clearly explaining and illustrating the optical properties of minerals. He includes all of the essential bits of information that any geologist will need. I highly recommend this book as a great reference tool that any geologist or aspiring geologist should add to their collection of references.

A student's view
As a student of Geology, I have used Nesse as my bible for all petrology courses. It is complete, comprehensive and easy to use. A must for all geologists, student or not.

Great book
Finally we have a mineralogy text book that will compete with Klein and Hurlbuts's Manual of Mineralogy. The line drawings are outstanding. I am using this text book the next time I teach mineralogy.

Good undergrad college textbook for optical mineralogy.
Remarkably lucid yet accurate presentation of a subject often found difficult by students.

The first third of the text deals with the properties of light, the use and care of the petrographic microscope, and the optical properties of minerals and how to use these to identify mineral grains in thin sections.

Much of the text contains detailed descriptions of the commoner rock-forming minerals from the standpoint of the petrographer. Descriptive diagrams and photographs, and capitalized section headings, separated paragraphs, and all typeface (font) easy to read. Paper is quality glossy and easy to use.

Appendices include Identification Tables based upon various optical properties, tables which have proved their use to students taking the course. Also includes the standard fold-up Interference Color Chart, on quality glossy paper, and on its reverse a table of birefringence versus relief (difference in refractive index).

The author retains consideration for students, including photos of such non-minerals as may confuse the tyro, such as textile fibers, bubbles, and grinding compound, all of which get into thin sections (petrographic slides).

Excellently laid out and organized, it also contains a good Index. This text was written for college students taking petrography and optical mineralogy, and has been kept, rather than sold, even by some students who never expect to use a petrographic microscope again. College instructors take notice, as for a junior to senior level petrography course this text probably rates a 9 or a 10. [DMM] ... Read more

Book Description

Gems have been prized for thousands of years, not only for their beauty and rarity, but also for their supposed mystic and magical qualities. This book, in the tradition of ancient lapidaries, traces the use of gems in religion, medicine, magic, and astrology.

Amethyst comes from the anointed body of a Greek maiden.

Ruby, whether male or female, can boil water and heal wounds.

Turquois protects the rider against a fall from a horse.

Amber contains trapped fairies, angels, and the souls of ancestors.These and thousands of other beliefs regarding gems have been collected and chronicled by the author. Myths, legends, and lore gathered from numerous cultures are included for each stone. This reference also includes the gemological characteristics of each stone, a new translation ofJean de Mandevilles fourteenth centuryLe Lapidaire, and hundreds of quotations regarding precious stones from classic pieces of literature. Gems in Myth Legend and Lore is the most comprehensive lapidary available. A work that continuesa tradition of gem literature spanning over two thousand years. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore
Fantastic book. Full of gemstone lore that will dazzle, and impress. Great selling tool for anyone in the jewelry or gem trade. ... Read more

Book Description

Comprehensive presentation of TMC mechanical behaviorTheory, mechanisms, analysis, testing, modeling and predictionChapters by leading specialists in metal matrix composites Because of their unique mix of properties and behavior in high-performance applications, Titanium Matrix Composites are presently the focus of special research and development activity. This new book presents a review of current technology on the mechanical behavior of these materials. Each chapter was prepared specifically for this new book by one or more specialists in this subject.

From the Editors' Preface The propulsion and airframe components in advanced aerospace systems, and several other engineering systems will rely heavily upon high-temperature materials with improved specific properties. One class of materials that has received significant attention in this regard is the silicon carbide reinforced titanium alloy matrix composites, commonly referred to as Titanium Matrix Composites (TMCs).

In the 1990's, an intense effort was directed towards the development, understanding, characterization and life prediction of TMCs. The primary interest arose from the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) Program in the U.S. where TMC was considered a prime candidate as a structural material for aircraft. . . . [This] and several other programs devoted a considerable amount of time and money towards TMCs, which resulted in major advancements in the state of the art of their performance, characterization and modeling. Also, several applications of TMCs were successfully fabricated to demonstrate clearly that this class of materials is technically feasible, ready to deliver projected benefits, and well past the stage of "one shot" applications. In fact, TMCs are consistently identified as one of the enabling material technologies for the twenty-first century.

It is, therefore, appropriate to assemble and document in one source a state-of-the-art review and summary of advancements related to mechanical behavior and related mechanical issues of TMCs under various thermo-mechanical loadings. . . .

This new book will be useful to all those involved in the research, development, engineering, evaluation and applications of high-performance engineering materials ... Read more

Book Description

The second edition of Applied Hydrodynamics in Petroleum Exploration is a concise guide to the properties of fluids and their practical applications in petroleum and gas exploration. This book is a complete, self-contained discussion of hydrodynamics for geologists and geophysicists actively searching for accumulations of oil and gas.Review from the First Edition: "...this book is a good primer and should be read and digested by every exploration geologist." J. Sedimentary Petrology ... Read more

Book Description

Metamorphic rocks make up the largest volume of the Earth. They systematically change their mineralogical composition as a result of tecto-thermal events. The outstanding feature of the 7th edition of this book is the large number of phase diagrams showing the stability relations among minerals and groups of minerals found in metamorphic rocks. The diagrams help to determine the pressure and temperature conditions under which a given collected set of metamorphic rocks may have formed. More than half of the chapters have been completely rewritten or revised. All figures have been edited and improved and recent advances in the field such as multiequilibria thermobarometry and pseudosections were incorporated in the text. The bibliography has been revised and extended, new research publications have also been included. Graduate students will find in depth information on the origin, significance and genesis of metamorphic rocks. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

one of the best textbooks available
Petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks is probable the best textbook available for students of metamorphic petrology. In a short, concise form it introduces the reader to the principles of metamorphic petrology as well as to the evolution of different rock types under changing metamorphic conditions.

Excellent source for anyone studying metamorphic rocks.
This book is divided into two sections. The first section deals with the basic princiles of metamorphism, including composition of source rocks, types, processes and condidtions of metamorphism. A very detailed description on the construction of metamorphic projections is also included. Part two covers the metamorphism of different rock compositions including ultramafic, mafic, carbonate, pelitic, and granitoid rocks. This section is very detailed, without bogging down with specific examples of metamorphism. ... Read more

Book Description

Radioactive waste is generated from commercial power stations, medical and research reactors and the decommissioning of nuclear weapons. Long-term solutions to waste storage usually involve planned deposition or isolation in a geologic repository. Geologists and mineralogists play an essential role in the siting and planning of rock-hosted repositories, providing scientific insight into the long-term performance and safety of repositories. This book brings together international experts and presents an overview of the geology and mineralogy of proposed high-level geologic repositories and related issues. The exposure of this knowledge is vital for modern earth scientists concerned with waste disposal now and in the future. ... Read more

Book Description

Features new chapters on crystal chemistry and mineral stability diagrams, more logical treatments of morphology and internal crystal structure along with extensively revised chapters on mineral chemistry and physical properties. Includes outstanding illustrations, hand specimen photographs and transmission electron microscope structure projects. ... Read more

Book Description

Many materials used in industry are crystals. These crystals often show anomalies, such as sudden softening or embrittlement at certain temperatures.If controlled, such behavior can be extremely useful, for manufacturing and high-technology applications. This is one of the first books to describe the recently determined physical origins of such behavior, and provides an insight into the important thermodynamic principles and microstructural properties involved. It starts with the fundamental principles of structural phase transitions in materials. Ferroelasticity, twinning and related microstructures are then described.Landau-type theories of phase transitions are introduced, together with details of elastic and specific heat anomalies, the formation of spontaneous strain, and the generation of solitary waves at temperatures close to the transition point. ... Read more

Book Description

Meteorites and Their Parent Planets provides an engrossing overview of a highly interdisciplinary field--the study of extraterrestrial materials. The second edition of this successful book has been thoroughly revised, and describes the nature of meteorites, where they come from, and how they get to Earth. Meteorites offer important insights into processes in stars and in interstellar regions, the birth of our solar system, the formation and evolution of planets and smaller bodies, and the origin of life. The first edition was immensely popular with meteorite collectors, scientists and science students in many fields, as well as amateur astronomers. In this second edition all of the illustrations have been updated and improved, many sections have been expanded and modified based on discoveries in the past decade, and a new final chapter on the importance of meteorites has been added. Everyone with an interest in meteorites will want a copy of this book. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

One of the best books on the subject
Really a MUST-have for the serious meteorite collector. Lots of scientifical informations, but very readable.

Fascinating - I was amazed at the power of geochemistry
I'm a geologist who loves to find good summaries of geology / planetary science topics, and "Meteorites and their Parent Planets" is one of the best I've found. While I've always been more interested in "geometric" topics like structural geology, McSween's book made geochemistry and cosmochemistry come alive like I'd never imagined. He weaves a fascinating tale of the amazing deductions that have been made from analyses of meteorites. "Compositional" sciences like petrology and geochemistry used to make my eyes glaze over, but now I think that if I had it to do over again, I might go into geochemistry or meteoritics! I look forward to reading McSween's other books.

A great book which I highly recommend!!!
Informative reading and great photos. This book makes a great addition to your meteorite book library.

Great book for beginners and experienced collectors
I think that this book is very well written and easy for the beginner to understand. Lots of great information.

Great Book for beginners and experienced alike
As a meteorite dealer, I highly recommend this book for collectors to expand their knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

Invaluable reference for geologists, mineralogists lists and describes about 500 ore minerals according to criteria of "hardness" and "reflectance." Indispensable identification aid. Bibliography.
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Book Description

Pages of full-color photos identify mineral formations as common asiron and sulfur and as precious as diamonds and rubies. Minerals are shown asthey occur both in natural deposits and in their cut-and-polished states.Readers get an overview of mineral sources, gem cutting, imitation gems, metalsand metal working, and much more. Also described and shown are meteorites thathave fallen to earth from outer space. Perhaps most fascinating of all are themany color photos of fossils, including insects, shell fish, vegetable forms,and animal skeletons, preserved in fossilized formations for millions of years. ... Read more

Book Description

Volume 2 of a classic, thorough study of precious and semi-precious stones: diamond, topaz, opal, turquoise, ruby, emerald, garnet, more. Fullest, most exhaustive survey ever prepared gives detailed information on each gem’s physical character, occurrence, properties, use, and related topics. "The most detailed work on gems"—Encyclopedia Britannica. Translated by L. C. Spencer. Total in set: 20 plates, 8 in color. 94 figures.
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