Field Collecting Gemstones and Minerals (Paperback)

by John Sinkankas (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Probably the best general description written for the layperson about how, where, and why gem and mineral deposits form. Invaluable information for the field collector and an excellent general introduction to the geology of mineral deposits. -- Lapidary Journal Buyer's Guide, April 1998

Product Details

• Paperback: 415 pages
• Publisher: Geoscience Press (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945005008
• ISBN-13: 978-0945005001
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #136,047 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Science > Earth Sciences > Mineralogy > Crystallochemical
  #18 in	Books > Science > Chemistry > Geochemistry
  #41 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Natural Resources > Rocks & Minerals

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Field Collect Minerals, December 1, 1997

By A Customer

This is the third edition; the first in 1961 was titled Gemstones and Minerals: How and Where to Find Them, the second in 1970 was titled Prospecting for Gemstones and Minerals, and this third edition is perhaps the most appropriately titled; all editions are very similar with minor changes, and all are excellent.

This clearly written how-to book is written for the layman, with very descriptive text accompanied by diagrams and pictures. Not a guide to localities, nor a descriptive mineralogy (see the author's excellent mineralogy text for that); this tells HOW to collect minerals. Chapters cover field trips, tools and how to use them, rock classes and how to recognize them, how mineral deposits form, field features of mineral deposits (pegmatites, sulfide veins, basalt and diabase sills, alpine vugs, etc.), collecting practices, preparation of specimens (cleaning, trimming, and preservation), storage and exhibit (labelling, cataloging, assembling and arrangement), with useful appendices, bibliography, and index.

I bought an edition years ago and soon found it very useful, particularly the section on Tools and How to Use Them. For field collecting, this book shows you how. -DMM

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic and still the best, April 25, 2000

By	Erica ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

There isn't one single aspect of field collecting and processing minerals that Mr. Sinkankas has neglected in this classic manual. It has inspired generations of enthusiasts, myself included. My favorite feature remains the clear illustrations, including cross-sections of his favorite vug pockets, proper placement of gads, prospecting with ultraviolet light, and the copious photographs of geomorphological indicators. For the absolute beginner and experienced hand alike, this is heady stuff. It's practically a mini-geology course in a book. Mr. Sinkankas' style couldn't be easier to read. If you ever run across his classic Mineralogy, snag it. It'll have you hooked for life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Sinkankas book review, June 25, 2009

By	Dennis Tryon - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An excellent book, very informative and an aid to any serious rockhound. I highly recommend it.