Description

With more than 200 color photographs covering all aspects of the study of rocks, minerals, fossils, and gems. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum complex — a center for research dedicated to public education, national service, and scholarship in the arts, sciences, and history. This new Smithsonian release offers striking visual profiles including full color photographs, as well as graphs and tables, accompanied by easy to understand text. The book provides an indispensable guide to the entire range of rocks, minerals, and fossils, with key information for accurate identification, and practical advice on how to cut, polish, and display natural as well as cut specimens and gemstones. Information provided for each mineral includes the data arranged systematically by elements, sulfides, sulfosalts, oxides, etc. The description of each mineral featured includes a physical description, with physical properties including group, crystal system, composition, color, form / habit, hardness, cleavage, fracture, luster, streak, specific gravity, and transparency. The rock types and fossils are similarly characterized. The authors also present an intriguing look at the many ways rocks and minerals have been used in primeval times, from basic building blocks, to fine decoration, to religious artifacts, jewelry, and much more, through modern-day uses and applications. Published by DK Publishing, Inc., New York, 2005.