Crystal and Gem (Eyewitness Guides) [Paperback]

R F Symes (Author)

Book Description

Series: Eyewitness Guides

This Eyewitness guide to crystals and gemstones provides information on all aspects of this topic, as well as showing the reader diamonds being used to cut through a brick wall and where crystals grow in your home. Ages 10+

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The dazzling full-color photographs on uncluttered pages make this a visual treat."--School Library Journal.   --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Full-color photos. Learn about the formation and practical uses of crystals, semiprecious stones, and precious metals. "The dazzling full-color photographs on uncluttered pages make this a visual treat."--School Library Journal.   --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Child's P/B; 2nd edition (August 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0751347434
• ISBN-13: 978-0751347432
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,362,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A VISUAL FEAST!, January 8, 2001

By 

Soaring Heart - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyewitness: Crystal & Gem (Hardcover)

The photographs of OVER 200 CRYSTALS AND GEMS is worth the purchase price of this book. And I am not just talking about ANY picture of each crystal, I am talking about a GORGEOUS, AMAZING sample picture of each crystal! Some of my favorite photographs/stones included are: Opals (My personal favorite stone ok, tied with Diamond!), Aragonite, Agate, Tourmaline, Calcite, Topaz, Barite, Hematite, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, The Blue Hope Diamond, Ruskin's Ruby, Moonstone, Spodumene, Blende, Natural Mosaic, Malachite, Gold, Mother-of-Pearl, Turquoise....I could go on forever!

Here are the chapters: WHAT IS A CRYSTAL? A WORLD OF CRYSTALS, NATURAL BEAUTY, CRYSTALS-OUTSIDE, ...AND INSIDE, THE COLOR OF CRYSTALS, IDENTIFICATION, NATURAL GROWTH, GOOD HABITS, DISCOVERY-RECOVERY, GROWING FROM SEED, CRYSTALS AT WORK, GOOD VIBRATIONS, QUARTZ, DIAMOND, CORUNDUM, BERYL, OPAL, OTHER GEMSTONES, COLLECTORS' ITEMS, STONES FOR CARVING, PRECIOUS METALS, ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE, WHAT IS IT WORTH?, MAKING THEM SPARKLE, LORE AND LEGENDS, CRYSTALS AT HOME AND INDEX.

This is a must-own if you have any interest in the marvelous beauty of crystals and gems. Not only are the photographs great but the information is succinct and fascinating! I highly recommend this book along with any other of the 109 in the Eyewitness series! Talk about something for everyone! Thanks Dr. Symes and Dr. Harding! Wow!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Eyewitness Books account of crystals and gems, November 16, 2008

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crystal and Gem (DK Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

For those familiar with the Eyewitness Books series, this is yet another fine entry in the catalog. This series is aimed at young readers, and this book will be fine for children in that age range,

Quite sensibly, the volume begins be defining what a crystal is: "solid materials in which the atoms are arranged in a regular pattern." And one category of crystals are called gems, "natural crystals chosen for their beauty, durability, and, in many instances, rarity."

Examples of crystals? Quartz, granite, calcite, and barite. Gems? Diamonds exemplify, as do rubies and sapphires and opal.

The book also discusses uses of crystals. Certainly, decoration is one. So, too, are crystals used in electronics; they even are in credit cards. Diamonds have industrial uses, because of their hardness.

There is a nice discussion of diamonds, from Sinbad to Marilyn Monroe! In addition, there are a couple pages that touch upon the "lore and legend" of crystals over time. I did not know, for example, that Alexander the Great gave lodestones to his soldiers to repel evil spirits.

So, if your child (8-12 years of age) has an interest in crystals and gems, then this would be a valuable resource.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars science, July 18, 2008

By 

Becky A. Skillin (Quito, Ecuador, South America) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crystal and Gem (DK Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

Fascinating. My kids can't put it down. I am entralled by it all. The kids even play "Guess the gem" color in the back with the chart of birthstones.

A great gift for any occasion.