A comprehensive field guide covering all of Earth's 288 minerals The colours, shapes and beauty of minerals vary from the mundane to the magnificent. This book is a beautifully illustrated reference that profiles 288 specimens in concise detail. The book provides a clear introduction to the science of mineralogy and explains the forms of crystals, their physical properties and the environments in which minerals form. A system of symbols is used for the quick identification of the key characteristics of each mineral specimen, including cleavage, specific gravity and hardness. It includes: a classification chart of minerals, an index of mineral names, and an illustrated directory. It is an ideal field guide for rock hounds, geologists and gem collectors. Firefly Guides are a beautifully produced, top-quality, Mondadori-printed international co-edition series.