The Gem Hunter's Kit: Unearth Your Own Mineral Treasures (Running Press Discovery Kit) [Paperback]

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Running Press Discovery Kit

Our perennially popular hands-on kit introduces curious children to the fascinating science of geology. In the illustrated, fact-filled, 64page handbook, kids will learn how gems and minerals are formed and where to find them. Then they can actually excavate eight genuine gems and minerals -- including hematite, obsidian, and copper -- from the enclosed slab of rock. The special excavation tool, gem tray, sparkly gem stickers, gem identification chart, and step-by-step instructions help in identification and classification of their exciting discoveries. Also in the Discovery Kit™ series

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tim Lutz is a geologist who specialises in the study of igneous rocks. He teaches geology at LaSalle University and West Chetser University in the Philadelphia area. He earned his Ph.D. in geology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Running Press Kids; 2nd edition (September 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762412127
• ISBN-13: 978-0762412129
• Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 7.2 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,615,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of Money!, January 11, 2005

By 

Angry Mom (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gem Hunter's Kit: Unearth Your Own Mineral Treasures (Running Press Discovery Kit) (Paperback)

I have written to the company regarding returning this and have not received a response! This is a clay "excavation" kit that guarantees a child will excavate 8 gems. What it does not advertise is that the gems are buried barely beneath the surface and touching each other. It looks as if someone placed these rocks on a table and pressed a block of clay on top of it. The clay block measures 5 1/2x3 1/2x1 - my seven year old found 5 of the eight rocks in a 3x2xsurface level area. No effort appears to have been made to even conceal the things! This is certainly not worth the $20 price tag.

My daughter discoved these 5 gems in about 20 minutes before she turned to me and said she wanted to return the kit to Borders because she felt she was "cheated out of her card", referring to her gift card which she used to purchase the kit.

I would recommend the Mummy or the Dinosaur kits sold at the Imaginarium in Toys R Us.