Rock and Gem A definitive guide to rocks, minerals, gems and fossils

by Ronald Louis Bonewitz

A remarkable study of the Earth's rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils, this stunning volume reveals the beauty and wonder of these outstanding natural phenomena and the fascinating ways they have been prized and used. A LEGENDARY HISTORY Rocks, gems, minerals and fossils were forged by the most powerful events in our planet's past and revered for millennia as religious artifacts, becoming the focus of myth and legend. This book evokes the spectacular beauty of these wonders and their place in human history, from the Koh-I-Noor diamond to the fabled Amber Room of Catherine the Great's Palace. AN INDISPENSABLE GUIDE Striking visual profiles present the entire range of rocks and minerals, with key information for accurate identification, and practical advice on how to cut, polish, and display objects, as well as an intriguing look at the many ways they have been used, from basic building blocks to fine decoration.

360 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Rebekah Gyger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess it's not exactly cool to say that I read a definitive guide on rocks (ok, I read half of it and now it is due back at the library) but I was really enjoying this book for the research I was doing. There were a couple other guides which I had also picked up, but this one's information was the most accessible and had better photographic examples. While there were some sections were I had wished for more information, I understand that there is limited space to talk about every single type of mineral and rock. And so I don't have to return it to the library again, I will probably be purchasing this one for my home shelves.