Finding the best smithsonian rock and gem book suitable for your needs isnt easy. With hundreds of choices can distract you. Knowing whats bad and whats good can be something of a minefield. In this article, weve done the hard work for you.
Best smithsonian rock and gem book
1. The Rock and Gem Book: And Other Treasures of the Natural World
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DK Publishing Dorling KindersleyDescription
What is the difference between a rock and a gem? What makes the Hope Diamond so special? Why are some minerals fluorescent?
Dig deep to find the answers in The Rock and Gem Book. Filled with over 1,200 stunning full-color photographs, The Rock and Gem Book is the perfect encyclopedia for young geologists to consult.
Chapters are organized according to scientific classifications with straightforward explanations that bring each specimen to life. From the quartz in watches to the limestone in the Great Pyramids, the earth's natural treasures are used in architecture, art, and science. Get up close to diamonds, rubies, pearls, and sapphires, and study the different types of rocks, from granite to meteorites.
Designed in DK's signature style, the pages are filled with highly visual spreads that show off the depth and unique quality of each gemstone, rock, and fossil. See the past with fossils, learn about the ocean through shells, and find out what makes gold so special in The Rock and Gem Book.
2. Rock and Gem: The Definitive Guide to Rocks, Minerals, Gemstones, and Fossils
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DK Publishing Dorling KindersleyDescription
A great guidebook featuring full-color photos of hundreds of rocks and gems for collectors and enthusiasts, created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution and written by a geologist with decades of experience. Author Ronald Bonewitz started his career as a geologist specializing in crystal chemistry, worked as a mining scout in the field, and now serves as a gem, mineral, fossil, and antiquities expert at an auction houses. Rock and Gem combines his knowledge with hundreds of stunning photos from the Smithsonian's extensive collections, making professional-levelknowledge accessible to readers of all experience levels.In addition to resources on each of several hundred individual rock and gem types, the book contains a compelling history of how rocks are formed, starting with the Big Bang up to the present day. It also includes a guide to starting your own collection as well as several fascinating feature boxes exploring topics like the Malachite Room in the Winter Palace and the superstitions surrounding the world-famous (or infamous) Hope Diamond.
Whether youre a collector, a student, or just someone interested in discovering the beauty and intrigue of gems and other fascinating rocks, Rock and Gem covers its fascinating subject matter from every angle.
3. My Book of Rocks and Minerals: Things to Find, Collect, and Treasure
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A highly visual children's reference that explains what rocks and minerals are, how they form, and how they're used, as well as highlights astounding record breakers and amazing facts.
My Book of Rocks and Minerals is filled with fascinating information about and amazing images of rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils from the deepest caves to outer space. Features introduce different categories, from crystals to glow-in-the-dark minerals, and illuminating high-resolution images offer a closer look at awesome geological formations. Kids can take their fascination one step further and use the catalog and activity pages to help them collect and group rocks, and to discover how different rock types fit into the world around them.
Colorful, educational, and entertaining,My Book of Rocks and Minerals gives kids the expert geology knowledge they crave and will have them digging deep to discover all they can about rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils.
4. National Geographic Kids Everything Rocks and Minerals: Dazzling gems of photos and info that will rock your world
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National Geographic SocietyDescription
Targeted to rock-crazy kids, this bold book is more energetic, more visually exciting, and more fun than anything else on the marketand with more information, too! Youngsters become geology experts as they browse eye-popping photos and absorb layers of information made extra fun through a humor-infused presentation.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visitwww.natgeoed.org/commoncorefor more information.
5. Rocks, Minerals & Gems
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Find out all about star stones and cat's eyes, megagems, and phantom quartz. Discover which rocks fluoresce, which mineral once poisoned an emperor, and which gems are the rarest in the world!
Features a beautiful cover with special effects!
6. Smithsonian Handbooks: Gemstones
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Gem Guides Book CompanyDescription
Packed with more than 800 vivid full-color photographs of more than 130 varieties of cut and uncut stones, organic gemstones, and precious metals, this concise guide combines its stunning visuals with a systematic approach that enables you to recognize each gemstone instantly. Published by Dorling Kindersley in association with the Smithsonian Institution, the guidebook is beautiful, informative, and accessible to readers of all levels.Each expertly written entry combines a precise description with annotated photographs to highlight each gemstones chief characteristics and distinguishing features. Additional color illustrations and photographs show uncut stones, color variations, and a wide range of popular cuts. Easy-to-use, color-coded bands provide at-a-glance facts for quick reference. Also included is a comprehensive glossary.
Written by gem expert, writer, and curator Cally Hall of Londons Natural History Museum, and packed with detailed information on gemstone properties, varieties, and more, DKsSmithsonian Handbook of Gemstones is the clearest identification to natural and synthetic gemstones for beginners and established enthusiasts alike.
7. Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals (Smithsonian Handbooks)
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Created in association with Smithsonian Institution, this authoritative guide features more than 500 rocks and minerals. Packed with photographs and details on characteristics, distinguishing features, and more, Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks and Minerals makes identification easy.
Designed for beginning and experienced collectors alike, this guide explains what rocks and minerals are, how they are classified, and how to start a collection. Look up different rocks and minerals, and find clear, annotated photography to pick out the key distinguishing features. Learn the differences between igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and reference the glossary for many more technical and scientific terms.
Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks and Minerals is filled with information about characteristics, colors, unique attributes, and more, making it one of the clearest identification guides for rock and mineral enthusiasts.
8. Nature Guide: Rocks and Minerals (Nature Guides)
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DK ADULTDescription
The new DK Nature Guides form a comprehensive, accessible, and informative series of illustrated reference books that tackle key natural history subjects in DK's uniquely visual style. Produced in collaboration with expert consultants at the Smithsonian Institution, each guide is expertly written and will give you knowledge of the natural world at your fingertips.From blue schist to blue granite, malachite to meteorites, and taconite to travertine, Nature Guide Rocks and Minerals is packed full of stunning images that reveal intricate details and unique characteristics of each rock and mineral.
Using close-up photographs of every specimen and profiles containing examples from all over the world, Nature Guide Rocks and Minerals brings revealing key facets and details perfect for quick identification.
9. Gem: The Definitive Visual Guide
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From royalty and film stars to thieves and curses, this is a dazzling and comprehensive visual guide to the worlds most precious rocks and mineralsSmithsonian Gem interweaves glorious images, natural history, mythology and intriguing true stories.
Hardcover; 440 pages. Lavish jacket features a debossed and foiled diamond. 11.9" x 9.9".
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A dazzling visual guide to precious and semiprecious stones, organic gems, and precious metals that showcases beautiful, specially commissioned images as well as science, natural history, mythology, and true stories of adventure and discovery.
From diamonds and sapphires to emeralds and obsidian, Gem profiles all the key gemstones and other precious materials. Its stunning images show the jewels in their different cuts, colors, and uses. See the exquisite jewelry pieces of royalty around the world, high-society women, and Native American traditions. Visit the Russian Amber Room, study the details of a Faberg egg, and find out what characteristics are needed for a record-breaking gem.
The stories, myths, and legends that surround the most celebrated gems and jewel-laden artifacts from around the world are revealed, from their journeys in the company of royalty, film stars, and thieves to the curse of the Hope Diamond. Follow the history of the world's most famous jewelry houses and their designers, including Cartier, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., and more.
For additional information about the world's natural treasures, an 80-page reference section at the back of the book highlights a variety of other rocks and minerals, and a color guide directory groups gems according to their main color.
Created in association with the Smithsonian Institution and featuring a foreword by New York Times-bestselling author Aja Raden, Gem combines lavish photographs with expert knowledge, making it perfect for gift-giving.
10. Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals: Identification, Values and Lapidary Uses
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Easy to use and lavishly illustrated, this new and completely revised and expanded edition of Collecting Rocks, Gems, and Minerals is designed with beginners in mind, yet filled with valuable technical information for seasoned collectors. This guide takes you from being simply someone who enjoys rocks to a knowledgeable enthusiast in no time and features:
- An easy-to-use, quick reference format arranged by category and color of stone
- 800+ beautiful color photographs
- Values and tips for locating, buying and collecting
- Both lapidary and mineral display materials
- Decades of rock-collecting know-how of the author
