Among rock-forming minerals, the vesuvianite group is best known through the many colorful crystals collected at the Jeffrey quarry, in Asbestos, Canada. Spectacular finds in China and Pakistan have added interest in this mineral group. The detailed text begins with an explanation of the chemistry and taxonomy of the group and a discussion of ongoing research into problems such as color, structure, and optically anomalous crystals. A section on their formation and geochemistry explains the kinds of environments where vesuvianites are formed. Each mineral has a detailed entry for information...

Over 140 color photos, diagrams, and text reveal the crystal structures, habits, names, and changing family relationships of silicate crystals. This thorough guide provides an introduction to crystallography, the current classification of silicate structures, and reviews orthosilicates, disilicates, chain silicates, sheet silicates, and framework silicates. Explore different ways the silicate tetrahedron can be arranged and great diversity of structures that result. Crystal structure is presented with drawings of ideal crystal forms and photographs of real crystals. In this way, mineral...

The amphibole group is extremely important, widespread, and beautiful, with a structure that can accommodate a bewildering variety of compositions and potentially hundreds of unique specimens. This timely volume will allow mineral collectors to understand how the amphiboles are organised and named, and to relate obsolete names to currently accepted ones. Over 140 full-colour crystal images help the reader visualise the important structural features that define amphiboles and control their physical properties. This reference also provides information that collectors need to know to better...

For students of geology, this book offers a systematic overview of uranium and thorium minerals, which are known for their intense ultraviolet fluorescence and are critically important as our source of nuclear energy. Learn about the geochemical conditions that produce significant ore deposits and view more than 600 maps, structure diagrams, color photos, and electron micrographs. A web link allows readers to view the more than 130 crystal structures in three dimensions for a richer appreciation of their details. The minerals are arranged to emphasize how they fit into chemical groups, and a...

The definitive resource for mineral collectors, this comprehensive book describes the structural relationships among orthosilicateminerals, known for their hardness and brilliant colors, and the geological conditions that create prized specimens. It is illustrated with nearly 500 structure diagrams, color photos, and electron micrographs that will help collectors appreciate the minerals already in their collection, build a collection with greater depth, and find additional information. A web link allows readers to view the crystal structuresin three dimensions for a richer appreciation of...