Understanding Minerals & Crystals - Softcover

Minerals are the building blocks of rocks – they make up the solid Earth’s crust. Understanding Minerals & Crystals takes a close look at minerals, how they form, why they differ and how to go about identifying them. It examines the nature of atoms and the way they bind together to form minerals with distinctive crystal structures; discusses the nature and classification of these crystals (with a mineral identification key); and offers detailed descriptions of some 80 common and important minerals, including how they were named, their properties, ID pointers, uses and where in the world they are found. All are lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs. This book will be invaluable to those interested in any of the earth sciences, or in mineral/crystal collecting – from academics and students to general enthusiasts.

Professor Bruce Cairncross is chairman of the geology department at the Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg. He has an inherent interest in Southern African mineralogy and geology, and his research efforts are aimed at ocumenting important geological sites and promoting the preservation of the region's ineralogical heritage. He is the author and co-author of four books, The Minerals of South Africa, The Manganese Adventure, The Desmond Sacco Collection - Focus on Southern Africa and the First Field Guide to Gemstones of Southern Africa. He is consulting editor for an American journal, Rocks & Minerals, and is an accomplished photographer of minerals and gemstones.