gems, minerals, rocks, crystals, chemistry, mineralogy, crystallography, mineral identification

Minerals are naturally occurring, solid inorganic substances, and are the building blocks of rocks; they make up the Earth’s crust. Understanding Minerals & Crystals takes a close look at how minerals form, why they are so varied and how to go about identifying them. The book begins by examining the nature of atoms; the way they bind together to form minerals with distinctive crystal structures, and the nature and classification of these crystals. The second part of the book contains detailed descriptions of common and important minerals, including how they were named, their properties, ID pointers, uses and where in the world they are found. Explanatory figures, diagrams and detailed, full-colour photographs support the text throughout. This is an invaluable guide for anyone interested in the earth sciences or in mineral collecting — from academics and students to general enthusiasts.