Rocks & Minerals

A compact photographic catalogue of rocks and minerals worldwide, with a detailed entry on each type featuring crystal-clear photographs, concise text, and quick, accessible information

The clearest and sharpest recognition guide to more than 500 rocks and minerals.

Unearth a treasure trove of knowledge about the rocks and minerals beneath our feet - from their formation to collecting them. Make identification easy and accurate with this compact visual guide, packed with photographs and details on formation, distinguishing features, and much more. Over 600 high-quality photographs capture the unique characteristics, colours, and attributes of more than 500 rocks and minerals. Each specimen's entry includes annotated photographs to highlight the rock or mineral's distinguishing features, and concise details about its texture, origin, formation, and chemical composition to help identify it.

Designed for beginners and experienced collectors alike, the introduction explains what rocks and minerals are, how they are classified, what equipment is needed for specimen collection, and how to start and organize a collection. Learn the differences between igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and refer to the glossary for many more technical and scientific terms.

About the Author

Chris Pellant is based in North Yorkshire in northern England and began writing books in the 1980's. He has written a number of earth science books, and also runs his own photographic library with his wife Helen.

He is a keen conservationist, studying and recording everything from plants and lepidoptera to marine life. He is the author of Kingfisher's Discover Science: Rocks and Fossils.