Texas Rocks is a colorful quick identification guide to rocks and minerals in the State. Identification of rocks and minerals is based on color, hardness, crystal shape, and unique features. The guide provides brief descriptions of the types of rocks, differences between rocks and minerals, and mineral groupings. While accurate identification of rocks and minerals often requires extensive laboratory techniques, many are easily identified by unique combinations of the features listed above. The rocks and minerals in this guide have been chosen specifically because they are either unique to Texas or commonly available and easily identified. This waterproof, pocket-sized quick reference also contains information on proper collection and documentation of specimens you may find, and rules and regulations concerning such activities. Collectors of every level will find this information helpful. This guide is a must-have for anyone who wants a quick and easy way to identify rocks and mineral

Earth's outer crust Geologists Time and rock units Geologic map What are rocks and minerals? Chemical elements Minerals Rocks Igneous rocks Extrusive or volcanic igneous rocks Intrusive igneous rocks Sedimentary rocks Soils Sedimentary rock materials in broken fragments Sedimentary rock materials in solution Cementing materials and chemical sediments Sedimentary rocks formed by plants and animals Metamorphic rocks Static metamorphism Contact metamorphism Dynamic metamorphism Occurrence and properties of minerals How minerals occur Crystalline minerals Crystals Imperfect crystals Amorphous minerals Some distinguishing properties of minerals Color Luster Transmission of light Hardness Streak or powder Cleavage Parting Fracture Specific gravity Effervescence in acid Some special occurrences of minerals Cave deposits Concretions Geodes Petrified wood Collecting rocks and minerals Rock and mineral identification charts How to use the mineral identification charts Key to mineral identification charts Mineral identification charts How to use the rock identification charts Rock identification charts Descriptions of some Texas rocks and minerals Anhydrite Asbestos Barite Basalt Calcite Cassiterite Celestite Cinnabar Clay Copper minerals (chalcocite, chalcopyrite, malachite, azurite) Dolomite Feldspar Fluorite Galena Garnet Gneiss Gold Granite Graphite Gypsum Halite Hematite Limestone Limonite Llanite Magnetite Manganese minerals (braunite, hollandite, pyrolusite) Marble Mica Obsidian and vitrophyre Opal Pegmatite Pyrite Quartz Quartzite Rhyolite Sand and sandstone Schist Serpentine Shale Silver minerals (argentite, cerargyrite, native silver) Sulfur Talc and soapstone Topaz Tourmaline Uranium minerals (carnotite, uranophane, pitchblende) Volcanic ash (pumicite) Composition, hardness, and specific gravity of some Texas minerals Books about rocks and minerals Nontechnical books for beginners Textbooks and other reference books Selected references on Texas rocks and minerals

The psychic readings of Edgar Cayce contained insightful information about the properties and value of a variety of gems, stones, minerals, and other elements. Author Shelley Kaehr, Ph.D., whose own background included the study of gemstones, examines this material by delving into the history and makeup of these magical substances so often mentioned by Cayce. In her book, Kaehr shares with us the wonders of the mineral kingdom, and how and why each stone or mineral is different and reacts differently to various people. Includes an intuitive self-discovery process to finding out which of these powerful minerals works best for you.

A stunning visual reference book for little geologists who love to find fascinating rocks all around them. Identify colorful gemstones, sparkly crystals, the toughest rocks, and ancient fossils. Packed with fun facts, information, and extensive photos all about the rocks and minerals that make up the world around us. Interactive learning that engages young scholarly minds. Learn about 64 different types of rocks and minerals, how to tell the difference between them and where to find them. Dig into all the interesting geological materials from deep space to the deepest caves. You’ll even discover glow in the dark minerals and living gems! Find out about the stuff our world is made of, and how rocks and minerals form over time. This captivating book introduces children to hands-on science with fun activities like starting your own impressive rock collection and how to stay safe on your rock finding missions. Written for kids aged 6 to 9 with bite-sized information and explanations. The easy-to-understand language gives them a rock-solid foundation for science subjects. The geology book includes the phonetic pronunciation of the rock and mineral names so your little one will sound like a rock expert in no time. Rockin’ It With Stones And Minerals • Stunning high-quality photographs. • Inspiring activities for little Earth scientists. • Over 64 types of rocks, their properties, and how they are formed.

Provides descriptions of over seventy sites for rock viewing and collecting in Texas, each with information on the land type, elevation, best season, land manager, material, tools, vehicle access, accommodations, special attractions, and rockhouding opportunities.

Presents a comprehensive guide to over fifty rock hunting sites in six geographical areas of Texas and includes an insert of rock, fossil, and mineral specimens, site locator map, descriptive text, and black-and-white photographs.

Geo-Texas succeeds in bringing together astronomy, geology, meteorology, oceanography, and environmental studies in a highly informative, one-of-a-kind guide to Earth sciences in the Lone Star State. Eric R. Swanson draws on the latest scientific findings in treating the natural history of Texas from the oldest known rock, through the age of the dinosaurs, to the geologic present, from the early development of Texas' water and land resources to the current crisis of environmental pollution. In examining Texas natural sciences-and the abiding connection between Texans and their physical surroundings-Geo-Texas is engagingly anecdotal and draws freely on the wry humor with which Texans have always observed and regarded their environment. Entertaining accounts of natural phenomena, such as a meteorite scoring a direct hit on a swimming pool and a Texas twister sweeping up a farmer and returning him to earth unharmed, supplement the scholarship in each chapter to show how cultural and scientific issues converge. Students and teachers of Texas Earth science will find Geo-Texas indispensable. With more than eighty illustrations and valuable appendices listing rock hound clubs, Earth science organizations, and points of interest throughout the state, Geo-Texas will also appeal to the general reader and serve as the Earth science guide for lovers of Texas and its multifaceted environment.

Rocks, Minerals, and Geology of the Pacific Northwest highlights100 rocks, minerals, and fossil types found in Oregon and Washington. Each entry has color photography that shows a range of possibilities in appearance and a description of the defining physical properties and textures. Lists of minerals organized by other physical properties like habit, hardness, and cleavage are included. Rocks, Minerals, and Geology of the Pacific Northwest also includes 40 landscape features viewable along trails in Washington and Oregon that will empower hikers to make observations and interpretations about how these features came to be. The essential reference for rockhounds, hikers, climbers, and geology enthusiasts More than 400 photographs, illustrations, tables, and maps showcase and explain everything from minuscule crystals to planetary tectonics Interprets the histories of dominant landscape features along regional hiking trails Profiles more than 100 minerals and rocks in detailed entries with photos, descriptions, identification graphics, and mini indexes Covers the geologic composition and 13 physiographic regions of Washington and Oregon

Go on an outdoor treasure hunt and enjoy all nature has to offer with this field guide to rockhounding, perfect for armchair geologists or anyone headed out on an adventure! Geology meets treasure hunting with this field guide to rockhounding! If you’ve ever kept an interesting rock or shell, bought a polished stone from a gift shop, or even just enjoyed a ’gram of a really cool crystal, congratulations! You’ve already experienced a rockhounding adventure! Rockhouding for Beginners shows you how to take your rockhounding to the next level, providing everything you need to know from tips for finding local sources for really cool finds to techniques for safely cleaning, cutting, polishing, and caring for the best samples. Complete with full-color photos to help you identify each rock and mineral wherever you find them, this guide has all the rockhounding information you need whether you’re ready to get down and dirty or simply want to learn more from the comfort of your couch.

Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones provides both the connoisseur and the casual collector with a compact, easy-to-use volume describing more than 100 rare varieties of minerals whose beauty and mystery have possessed our imaginations from time immemorial. More than 450 brilliant photographs accompany profiles of each gem, covering such aspects as appearance, physical properties -- density, hardness, refraction -- occurrence, and how to judge quality and value. Additional sections describe the process of cutting gemstones and the techniques professional gemologists use to evaluate a stone's weight and optical properties. Detailed and comprehensive, this book is essential for anyone interested in the study of gems and precious stones.