This clearly written how-to book is written for the layman, with very descriptive text accompanied by diagrams and pictures. Not a guide to localities, nor a descriptive mineralogy (see the author's excellent mineralogy text for that); this tells HOW to collect minerals. Chapters cover field trips, tools and how to use them, rock classes and how to recognize them, how mineral deposits form, field features of mineral deposits (pegmatites, sulfide veins, basalt and diabase sills, alpine vugs, etc.), collecting practices, preparation of specimens (cleaning, trimming, and preservation), storage and exhibit (labelling, cataloging, assembling and arrangement), with useful appendices, bibliography, and index.
I bought an edition years ago and soon found it very useful, particularly the section on Tools and How to Use Them. For field collecting, this book shows you how. -DMM
The book is organized simply with a brief description of each stone followed by details from each geographical region in which it has been found. Detailed bibliographical references follow each entry, facilitating further study.
There is a dazzling section of 16 color plates highlighting the most spectacular recent discoveries. An array of heat-treated sapphire colors, precious opal, exquisite turquoise & a beautiful elephant tourmaline carving are featured.
Of special interest are recent diamond discoveries and an extensive section on the varieties and cultivation of pearls. This is an indispensable reference for anyone interested in the wide variety of gemstones in North America.
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