Rock and Gem A definitive guide to rocks, minerals, gems and fossils

A remarkable study of the Earth's rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils, this stunning volume reveals the beauty and wonder of these outstanding natural phenomena and the fascinating ways they have been prized and used. A LEGENDARY HISTORY Rocks, gems, minerals and fossils were forged by the most powerful events in our planet's past and revered for millennia as religious artifacts, becoming the focus of myth and legend. This book evokes the spectacular beauty of these wonders and their place in human history, from the Koh-I-Noor diamond to the fabled Amber Room of Catherine the Great's Palace. AN INDISPENSABLE GUIDE Striking visual profiles present the entire range of rocks and minerals, with key information for accurate identification, and practical advice on how to cut, polish, and display objects, as well as an intriguing look at the many ways they have been used, from basic building blocks to fine decoration.