Gem Trails of Arizona [Paperback]

James R. Mitchell (Author), Bessie Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995

From azurite to wulfenite, Arizona is known the world over for its rich abundance of rocks and minerals. Now in its third edition, this best-selling guide covers well-known sites, and uncovers many lesser-known areas as well. Situated in landscapes as diverse as the minerals themselves, these sites vary from arid desert to pine covered peaks. Detailed text describes where to go and what to look for at each collecting area. Maps for each site lead the rockhound to an almost limitless supply of specimens. Black and white photographs picture the collecting area. Color photographs highlight beautiful specimens found at various sites. Gem Trails of Arizona is an invaluable guide for rockhounds just starting out, or filled with expert advice and years of experience. For the experienced collector who has searched from Arizona's mineral resources for years, it is an outstanding source of the old and the new sites throughout the scenic state. James Mitchell, a contributor to the Lapidary Journal, teaches school during the year and spends summers searching the West for additional gem and mineral locations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: Gem Guides Book Co; Revised edition (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935182829
• ISBN-13: 978-0935182828
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,212,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gem Trails of Arizona, January 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Gem Trails of Arizona (Paperback)

I own three different revisions of this book. All are very useful for amateur rock hounds. My sons and I have visited about a dozen of the listed sites and all have produced nice specimens.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs better maps and/or GPS coordinates, April 15, 2004

By 

P. H. DeVries "[e-mail]" (Kernersville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gem Trails of Arizona (Paperback)

This review is based on visiting only 4 of the sites covered in the book. For three of the four sites, I found the hand drawn maps in the book rather confusing. Based on my limited experience, it appears that most AZ roads outside of medium to large population centers are rough, may be unmarked and, if marked, often have names/numbers that may not match the book, the gazetteer, or USGS topo maps. Furthermore, some of these collecting sites are old mine workings that are not readily visible due to overgrowth. In any case, GPS coordinates would take some of the confusion out of the location descriptions. Better maps would help also. However, we did eventually find what was advertised and this certainly is a helpful guide and worth the money spent.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Using the book in the field, November 12, 2006

By 

Larry E. Hager "WiredStone" (Spanaway, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gem Trails of Arizona (Paperback)

After purchasing the book, I used it by going to some of the sites listed in the book and after being successful at two out of 5 of the sites I went to I would have to say that the book needs a new revised edition. But overall it is an outstanding book and a must for the rockhounds heading for Arizona.