Gems And Minerals: Earth Treasures From The Royal Ontario Museum Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
A profusely illustrated and remarkably comprehensive guide to nature's most stunning jewels. Under the right conditions, over millions of years, geological activity can form extremely striking and amazing minerals. Once they have formed, these rare giants can be destroyed by the very forces that created them. Few survive, and even fewer are discovered and collected undamaged. This book is a comprehensive illustrated guide to 260 outstanding examples of gems and minerals from the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum. When Theophrastus described 16 minerals in his textbook De lapidibus, around 300 BCE, he laid the foundation for the science of mineralogy. Advances in the 20th century, particularly the use of X-ray crystallography, now allow the crystal structure of most minerals to be described at the atomic level. The informative introduction of Gems and Minerals explains some of this science, providing definitions of many of the book's technical terms. The book then describes each mineral, accompanied by a photograph. The mineral's chemical and physical properties are identified, as well as how it was formed and where it can be found. Gems and Minerals contains more than 400 photographs and focuses on the beauty of the mineral kingdom. It contains many images of spectacular crystals and gems as well as magnificent manufactured objects made from gold, silver and gemstones. Historical background, the origin of the mineral's name and interesting lesser-known facts complete this guide to a fascinating aspect of the natural world around us.
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Firefly Books (October 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554078806
ISBN-13: 978-1554078806
Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.9 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #767,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #138 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Field Guides > Rocks & Minerals #253 in Books > Science & Math > Earth Sciences > Rocks & Minerals #28729 in Books > Sports & Outdoors
I looked for this book after seeing a series of beautiful photos of the ROM mineral collection at Flickr (links in first comment). It's a winner, with a nice combination of flash and color (the great specimens) and a systematic survey of the world of mineralogy, also with excellent photos. Photo reproduction quality and book design are both excellent, and it's a lot of book for $30. The author is a curator of mineralogy at the ROM, and writes in a clear, direct style. This is the next best thing to visiting the museum -- which I hope to do some day.This is the best mineral-photo coffee-table book I've seen. Highly recommended.Happy reading and viewing --Peter D. TillmanProfessional geologist
This book is a wonderful place to start learning about minerals or a beautiful compendium of knowledge for the expert. Most of us will never own the all the minerals shown, or specimens half as beautiful as the ones illustrated. The introduction was very useful when preparing a lecture for non-scientists recently. I highly recommend this book.Tom in Cleveland
Great book, NEW facts on newly named minerals, beautiful pictures & prompt shipping.This book is an outstanding value and an asset to my collection.
Beautiful book! Love it and all the pictures. Lots of good information.
A fantasket book just for the beautiful pictures. I am a chemist with a hobby of geology.Very empressive to every one. A big heavy book. *****FROM *****
As a geologist I love this book for it's great photos and info. For novices and experts alike, it is a great book and knowledge center.
Very happy. Thanks Rich
Beautiful book!
Gems and Minerals: Earth Treasures from the Royal Ontario Museum Treasures of the Royal British Columbia Museum and Archives Game Programming Gems (Game Programming Gems (W/CD)) Northeast Treasure Hunter's Gem and Mineral Guide 6/E: Where and How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems and Minerals National Geographic Kids Everything Rocks and Minerals: Dazzling gems of photos and info that will rock your world Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals: Identification, Values and Lapidary Uses Rocks, Gems and Minerals (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press) Iowa Gems and Minerals in Your Pocket (Bur Oak Guide) Rocks, Gems, and Minerals of the Southwest (Falcon Pocket Guides) Rocks, Minerals & Gems The Royal Diaries: Marie Antoinette, Princess of Versailles, Austria-France, 1769 (The Royal Diaries) Royal Blood: A Royal Spyness Mystery EXPECTING HIS ROYAL BABY - The Royal House of Niroli 5 (Harlequin comics) Golden Shores: Treasures Lost, Treasures Found, The Welcoming Rocks & Minerals of Washington and Oregon: A Field Guide to the Evergreen and Beaver States (Rocks & Minerals Identification Guides) Rocks and Minerals of The World: Geology for Kids - Minerology and Sedimentology (Children's Rocks & Minerals Books) Lake Superior Rocks and Minerals (Rocks & Minerals Identification Guides) Michigan Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Great Lake State (Rocks & Minerals Identification Guides) Arizona Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Grand Canyon State (Rocks & Minerals Identification Guides) Rocks & Minerals of Wisconsin, Illinois & Iowa: A Field Guide to the Badger, Prairie & Hawkeye States (Rocks & Minerals Identification Guides)
