Cambridge Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Fossils

Whether hiking along a mountain trail, setting up camp in the field, or working in a garden, this is the definitive resource for anyone interested in identifying the rocks, minerals, or fossils they come across. Easily portable and with nearly 250 illustrations, with 145 in full-color, Cambridge Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Fossils is an indispensable handbook for amateur collectors and specialists alike. For each mineral, the authors explain and list the physical and optical properties, from crystal systems, hardness and fracture to color, transparency, and luster. They also discuss the occurrence of each mineral, as well as handy tips on their distinguishing features. For each type of rock, the Guide lists the color, color index, grain size, texture, structure, mineralogy, and field relations. In addition, for each fossil, the authors provide their corresponding type, age, and geographical distributions, along with detailed descriptions of their sizes and shapes. The clear, informative illustrations help elucidate technical concepts that often befuddle amateur collectors.