Minerals and Gemstones (Mini Encyclopedia): 300 of the Earth's Natural Treasures (Mini Expert Guides) Flexibound – Illustrated, 14 May 2017

Got this as I like these mini encyclopedias as they are informative and nicely illustrated. With this title I particularly like the fact that you get the chemical formula of the mineral/ gemstone illustrated - some are quite long!!

A super little book that gives in depth information on minerals and gemstones. Very impressed and well worth the money. Illustrations are good and colourful and it is laid out in easy to understand format.

Very comprehensive.Covers everything I wanted in a clear, concise matter with no airy fairy bits.

Very good information great images

Good wide range of minerals covered, well played out with photos

Speaking as an amateur rock and crystal collector I have express my surprise at the numerous 5 star reviews here on Amazon praising the photos in what is a rather ‘in their natural state’ edition. To my mind some photos are extremely unrepresentative of the sort that collectors gravitate toward - the one for Goethite for example is dull and drab whereas in reality it can also be gloriously iridescent. My Vivianite specimen is decidedly transparent green glass rather than the opaque blue shown here. Likewise the colour descriptions in the accompanying text: the type of apatite that appeals to collectors when polished is a deep teal/bluey turquoise - not green as stated in the description. So I’d suggest it’s more geared to the rough material in the ground rather than the stuff of display cases….. For the latter I would certainly recommend ‘The Natural History Museum Book of Rocks & Minerals’ over this more earthy guide.

It was great Thank You

Minerals and gems are my thing so I love this book.