Rocks and MineralsThe DK Handbook of Rocks and Minerals combines 600 vivid full-color photos with descriptions of more than 500 specimens. This authoritative and systematic photographic approach, with words never separated from pictures, marks a new generation of identification guides. Each entry combines a precise description with annotated photographs to highlight the chief characteristics of the rock or mineral and distinguishing features. Color-coded bands provide a clear, at-a-glance facts for quick reference. In addition, each mineral entry features an illustration showing the crystal system to which the mineral belongs. Designed for beginners and experienced collectors alike, the Dorling Kindersley Handbook of Rocks and Minerals explains what rocks or minerals are, how they are classified, and how to start a collection. To help in the initial stages of rock identification, a clear visual key illustrates the differences between igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, then guides the reader to the correct rock entry. A concise glossary provides instant understanding of technical and scientific terms |
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Anhedral basalt biotite brown brownish calcite carbonate Classification Cleavage Perfect color crust crystal faces Crystal shape Anhedral crystalline CUBIC dark deposits detrital earth's Euhedral evaporite feldspar fibrous fine-grained foliated FORMATION Forms Forms in hydrothermal Fossils Fracture Uneven Hardness fragments fuses gneiss Grain size Grain size Coarse Grain size Medium granite gray green greenish groundmass Group Sedimentary Origin Group Silicates Composition h perfect habits are massive HEXAGONAL hydrochloric acid hydrothermal veins igneous rocks lava limestone massive habit matrix metallic luster metamorphic rocks mica mineral mineral forms MONOCLINIC occurs in massive olivine opaque mineral ORIGIN Forms Origin Intrusive Grain Origin Marine ORTHORHOMBIC pearly luster pegmatites Perfect Group plagioclase plagioclase feldspar porphyritic prismatic crystals pyrite pyroxene quartz reddish resinous luster rock groundmass schist sediment specimens streak is white subcon surface tabular crystals TESTS This mineral TEXTURE translucent mineral transparent to translucent TRIGONAL twinned uneven fracture usually vitreous luster volcanic yellow yellowish