Covering rocks and minerals form around the world--from brilliant Brazilian Aquamarine to Wulfenite from Arizona's Red Cloud Mine--this unique guide was created for the serious mineral enthusiast or rock collector. "Rocks and Minerals" fills the gap between academic texts and popular books by providing a magnificent rock and mineral catalog in glowing color, plus tips on where they are found.- Hundreds of illustrations of rocks and minerals- Molecular structure and idealized crystals also pictured- Classification follows the system preferred by experts- Includes hardness, crystallization, chemical properties, and superb background informationUsing clear text and detailed illustrations, Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press present accurate information in a handy format for the beginner to the expert. These guides focus on what your students are really going to see. They are easy to use: detailed, full-color illustrations, text, and maps are all in one place. They are easy to understand: accurate, accessible information is simplified without being misrepresented. They are authoritative, containing up-to-date information written experts and checked by specialists. And they are portable: handy and lightweight, designed to fit in a pocket and be carried anywhere.