Gems, granites, and gravels : knowing and using rocks and minerals

'Every person on earth uses, either directly or indirectly, ten metric tons of minerals each year.' So write Dr R. V. Dietrich and Dr Brian J. Skinner in their new book Gems, Granites, and Gravels. Minerals and mineral products are involved in all aspects of our lives; we depend on them to keep us alive and ensure the continuity of our society. As a consequence, they have been a source of fascination and study throughout human history. In this book, Drs Dietrich and Skinner consider not only the beauty of minerals and rocks, but also their utility and their roles in our everyday well-being. Gems, Granites and Gravels is a valuable introduction to mineralogy and to related specialities such as petrology (the study of rocks), crystallography (the study of crystals), and soil science. Discoveries in these fields are described in a historical context, while the authors explain what minerals and rocks are, how they are distributed around the world, how we depend on them, and where to see the most beautiful specimens of both minerals and rocks. This book will appeal to anyone interested in natural history and curious about rocks and minerals, including rock and mineral collectors, students of geology, and professional geologists.

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An exceptional book. Dietrich and Skinner, distinguished earth scientists and each the author of widely recognized textbooks in geology, have an enthusiasm for the study of rocks and minerals that is evident in their keen presentation of the historical development and the current level of knowledge in crystallography, mineral chemistry, and the processes of rock formation and weathering. Chapters also deal briefly but quite adequately with mineral deposits, building materials, and geologic associations. Attention is drawn throughout to the intrinsic beauty of gems and minerals and to the patterns of rocks in natural exposure and in architecture. Appendixes provide the essentials of chemistry and guides to the identification of minerals and rocks. Bibliographic citations and suggestions for further reading are given at the end of each chapter, and there is a thorough index. A concise, well-written, beautifully illustrated, and stimulating introduction to mineralogy, petrology, and the human use of minerals, it will make equally pleasurable reading for general undergraduates, introductory geology students, and geologists. Highly recommended for college, university, and public libraries. -W. C. Peters, University of Arizona

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