There isn't one single aspect of field collecting and processing minerals that Mr. Sinkankas has neglected in this classic manual. It has inspired generations of enthusiasts, myself included. My favorite feature remains the clear illustrations, including cross-sections of his favorite vug pockets, proper placement of gads, prospecting with ultraviolet light, and the copious photographs of geomorphological indicators. For the absolute beginner and experienced hand alike, this is heady stuff. It's practically a mini-geology course in a book. Mr. Sinkankas' style couldn't be easier to read. If you ever run across his classic Mineralogy, snag it. It'll have you hooked for life.

This is the third edition; the first in 1961 was titled Gemstones and Minerals: How and Where to Find Them, the second in 1970 was titled Prospecting for Gemstones and Minerals, and this third edition is perhaps the most appropriately titled; all editions are very similar with minor changes, and all are excellent.

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

This is an update featuring all new information which has come to light since vol. II was published in 1976. It is a detailed compilation of discoveries and occurrences of all North American gemstones.

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.

This is an earlier edition of Field Collecting Gemstones and Minerals. Both are excellent, so if this one is hard to find, it may be simpler to get Field Collecting Gemstones and Minerals (see its review).

This type of book needs to be updated every year....especially with the economy we are living in.

buy gems but before you spend money know what you are paying for. Excellent guide lines as to all the current new 'designer' gemstones, being introduced to the market. However, add factor for the increase in gemstones prices. When is the new edition to be printed.??

This book has a wealth of information presented in a concise manner. It contains cuts of gems , colours, sources ..etc, and does not limit itself to a particular gem. It even contains information about pearls, which I thought surprising. I only wish it was more updated, bcause I have had it for 2.5 years, and went to amazon to see if a third version was issued.

There are not so much books about gemology, what makes the study of the gems a very difficult thing. The books above complete the space at literature and give both a reference and a study help. We could, almost, call them an encyclopedia about gems. In fact, if you bought these books you will not need to buy another title.