The Firefly Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Gems

by Rupert Hochleitner

Step-by-step Questions and Answers with detailed color photographs for easy identification. The Firefly Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Gems is designed for easy and reliable identification of minerals, gems and rocks. The identification process begins with the stone's streak color, which is how the book is Blue, Red, Yellow, Brown, Green Black and White. Using a sequence of straightforward questions and answers -- aided by over 1,000 photographs and drawings -- the book narrows down the possibilities among 350 minerals, gems and rocks to reach the conclusive classification. Identification is then further narrowed down with respect to Crystal form, Hardness, Luster, Density, Cleavage, Break and Tenacity. Each rock's main photograph shows the general or typical view, and identification tips about features are noted in the margins of the respective page. Similar stones are presented for comparison and tips are provided that can eliminate imposters. Drawings show the mineral's crystal shape. The chemical formula reveals the elements from which the mineral is composed. There is also information about where the stone is typically found and some of the ways that humans have utilized it. Packed with beautiful photographs of earth's many rocks, minerals and gems, The Firefly Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Gems is perfect for amateur mineralogists and collectors.

Genres: Geology, Reference

256 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2019

About the author

Diplom-Mineraloge am Institut für Kristallographie und Mineralogie in München, Dozent für Mineralogie an der Volkshochschule München, Chefredakteur der Mineralzeitschrift Lapis.

Reviews

[Sylvia Snowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have an older edition, from 2005. This guide has more of a science oriented approach, and if you do not already have some knowledge of geology, mineralogy, geochemistry--the guide will not be as valuable or interesting. The Audubon guide, in contrast, is organized by color and appearance for each mineral, and provides locations of the best sources of the minerals. The Audubon is much less technical in terms of the chemistry of the minerals. The Firefly guide doesn't provide specific locations, just what geological area is that you would find the mineral. So you will have to know your geological area, which means you'll need to know more about geology.

Audubon also has an entirely different guide for fossils, which is probably more valuable. There are a lot of different fossils. Knowing the type of rock you will find them in is important, but why include a few in a mineral book?

This is still a very valuable guide. It has a better explanation of the different types of feldspars, for example, the most common mineral in my area. I would prefer to have more discussion about actual rock, altogether. Rock and mineral guides give the impression that pure mineral forms are easily available. They are not, and we spend our days looking at rocks. There is preserved woods and old farmland where I walk every day, and the land is located at the border of a pluton and major fault line. In the flat valley of the tiny river, the rocks are likely phyllites and slates. At the top of the tiny hill, the rocks are biotite granites or diorites. Same rock, just cooked up. Rock and mineral guides are often written as if this something that you don't see--but you see stuff like this all the time. Much more than you will ever see a pure mineral, in perfect crystal form.

[Shari Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the categories for hardness, density, luster, cleavage, fracture, and tenacity helpful pieces for my research. The images enhance the information by providing visual representation of the minerals, rocks, and gems.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information, but beyond my level of knowledge.

This is NOT a beginners guide. Great photos and details, orgainized by color.

Glad I borrowed a copy from the library and not purchased it.

[Erin MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, the way it is categorized makes for efficient IDing. Multiple colour photos for every type of mineral shows possible examples of diversities, and the growth structure diagrams are handy!
I love this book!