A unique encyclopedia of practical skills for those who are attracted by the mysteries of geology!With this guide to the world of minerals and rocks, readers will be able to easily and accurately identify the stones they are interested in, as well as learn all the most amazing about the multitude of their rare varieties. The book contains detailed information about the formation, density, color of the trait, cleavage, toughness and syngony of more than 290 types of minerals and rocks, as well as detailed photographs of each of them. In addition, readers will learn what stones and why can be considered precious, what are amorphous minerals, how to find out the belonging of a particular rock without special equipment, will receive answers to many other questions about the mysteries of geology. --Author - Dr. Rupert Hchleitner, Deputy Director of the State Mineralogical Collection of Munich, long time editor-in-chief of the world-famous specialized journal on stones and minerals LAPIS.