Handbook Of Rocks, Minerals, And Gemstones Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
This handbook includes more than 600 stunning color photographs showing rocks, minerals, and gems from all over the world. Each specimen is described in detail: its origin and structure, chemical composition, hardness, color, and other properties.
Series: Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; X-Library - 6th edition (January 4, 1993)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0395511372
ISBN-13: 978-0395511374
Product Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 7.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #448,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #87 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Field Guides > Rocks & Minerals #158 in Books > Science & Math > Earth Sciences > Rocks & Minerals #727 in Books > Science & Math > Earth Sciences > Geology
I have actually reviewed this book for publication but the journal's policy is to not use negative reviews so it never appeared. It is difficult in just 1,000 words to summarize my review but I will say that the book is loaded with technical deficiencies, flat-out errors and inconsistencies that make it a very poor reference work. Furthermore, it was translated by someone who knew nothing of minerals so the errors introduced by the translator are monumental, hundreds! There are terms devised by the translator that mean nothing to English readers and don't appear in any other mineral/gem book of any kind!A truly bad look, yet it enjoys good sales because the public is so ill-informed about mineralogy.
Originally published in German in 1985, this paperback is full of wonderful color photographs. Many specimens are from Germany or from other parts of Europe, and anyone wanting to view such specimens, but cannot travel to a museum in Europe, is advised to get this book as it would be an easier trip. The text is non-technical, written for the layman with brief descriptions of the minerals, and is not to be used as an identification guide (as indeed some definitions are imprecise; e.g. the definition of a mineral), but is an interesting book and would make a fine coffee-table book for those interested in minerals (and in rocks, as half the book is devoted to rocks), with beautiful photographs. It might also make an introduction to the subject for friends of mineralogists who enjoy the beauty of minerals.
After reading a negative review on these pages at the advice of the reviewer I bought the Cambridge book he recommended. That was a mistake. Whereas the Cambridge book is a good reference book with lots of technical info and good photographs, it has not one photograph of rock in the field - precisely what I need. I've since purchased Schumann's Hand Book and I like it considerably more. The Cambridge book will sit on my shelf, Schuman's will get out in the field and serve me well.
This book was so good as a resource that our daughter wanted a second one...she is in the jewelry business and uses it as a great reference book. It contains great detailed photos of the gem stones, natural and cut, where they are mined and a bit of history with each, also.
For my geology classes it was a great tool to use in mineral identification. I wish I would have bought a book like this sooner. Pictures of the cubic systems are included as well as diagrams you will see in geology classes (i.e. Streckeisen diagram), and pictures of what a perfect crystal of particular minerals are also hand drawn next to their descriptions. Great color pictures.
The five star rating reflects the quality of the product and the timeliness in which it was shipped. It was ontime and the image displayed in the advertisement was exactly what i received. The item I wanted is what I got. I would reccomend the product to anyone interested in this product line. I was not dissapointed.
This book has a lot of great pictures, but you have to verify everything you get from it with another source because it is translated all wrong and even actually defines mineral incorrectly! Get something else, this is more trouble than its worth!
This book has every rock imaginable in it. I like the way it has colored pictures of each rock too. It helps to identify the rocks you have.Great price and investment for the rock collector.
Handbook of Rocks, Minerals, and Gemstones 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) Minnesota Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Land of 10,000 Lakes (Rocks & Minerals Identification Guides) New Mexico Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Land of Enchantment (Rocks & Minerals Identification Guides) New York Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Empire State (Rocks & Minerals Identification Guides) Colorado Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Centennial State (Rocks & Minerals Identification Guides) Rocks and Minerals for Kids - Fun Facts & Pictures About Crystals and Gemstones, Geology & Much More (geology book) Rocks for Kids: Rocks and Minerals for Kids - A Fun Fact Rock Book with FAQ, Pictures, Jokes, Games & Geology New Mexico Rockhounding: A Guide to Minerals, Gemstones, and Fossils Colorado Rockhounding: A Guide to Minerals, Gemstones, and Fossils (Rock Collecting) National Geographic Kids Everything Rocks and Minerals: Dazzling gems of photos and info that will rock your world Sand and Soil: Earth's Building Blocks (Rocks, Minerals, and Resources) The Illustrated Guide to Rocks & Minerals: How to find, identify and collect the world's most fascinating specimens, featuring over 800 stunning photographs and artworks Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals: Identification, Values and Lapidary Uses Rocks and Minerals: A Gem of a Book!
