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Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals: Identification, Values and Lapidary Uses Paperback – May 4, 2016

by Patti Polk (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,604 ratings
See all formats and editions
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A rockhound's must-have resource!

Easy to use and lavishly illustrated, this new and completely revised and expanded edition of Collecting Rocks, Gems, and Minerals is designed with beginners in mind, yet filled with valuable technical information for seasoned collectors. This guide takes you from being simply someone who enjoys rocks to a knowledgeable enthusiast in no time and features:


   • An easy-to-use, quick reference format arranged by category and color of stone
   • 800+ beautiful color photographs
   • Values and tips for locating, buying and collecting
   • Both lapidary and mineral display materials
   • Decades of rock-collecting know-how of the author
Foreword by Johann Zenz, world-renowned agate expert, author and lecturer.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Krause Publications
  4. Publication date
    May 4, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 8.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9781440246159
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1440246159
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

The Rock, Gem, & Mineral identification guide every rockhound needs!
Image of Collecting Rocks, Gems, + Minerals pages. It is open to four pages that highlight gems

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Patti Polk is recognized as one of the top agate collectors in the world (as noted in the highly respected reference book Agates III by Johann Zenz). She has been collecting, cutting and polishing rocks for jewelry and display for more than 20 years. She has been published in Rock & Gem magazine and numerous other periodicals, and speaks at rock and mineral club programs and frequently serves as a trail guide for visitors to Arizona. Patti is a skilled lapidary artist, which includes the cutting and polishing of the stones into display specimens or cabochons for jewelry making.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1440246157
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Krause Publications; Third edition (May 4, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781440246159
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1440246159
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.91 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 8.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,604 ratings

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Patti Polk

Patti Polk

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,604 global ratings
Great Rockhounding Book - Love it
5 Stars
Great Rockhounding Book - Love it
Excellent book for identification, values & lapidary uses (as listed on cover). A lot of information on Mineral composition, color, hardness, areas where it can be found, value (per oz, per carat, per specimen), distinctive field features & pictures.
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Top reviews from the United States

Patricia Jungling
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Very informative, great pictures
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KC
5.0 out of 5 stars Collecting Rocks, Gems & Minerals
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Pictures very good, easy to understand descriptions, a good reference book for collector
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Joni Sheasley
5.0 out of 5 stars My new rock book
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love the book. Great
photos, and lists of where to find certain rocks or gems.
And shipping was fast.
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Mongooseman
4.0 out of 5 stars Great guide with an unnecessary flaw
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is almost one of the best mineral guides. Beautiful photos, much information well presented, a vast assortment of mineral species. Unique among guidebooks I have is a listing of the typical price for the specimen. But for some reason, in the later part of the book this price is printed in white type on a light silver-gray background, instead of the red-violet background of the rest of the book, making it almost impossible to read and costing it a star.
6 people found this helpful
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Win-Win
5.0 out of 5 stars VERY NICE QUALITY
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
This was a gift for a beginner rockhound - and the recipient LOVED IT. Really nice photos.
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Cazs
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
Lot's of pictures to compare if your a rock hounding person.
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AmazonUser
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for new collectors!
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book is geared toward collectors. I have other books that are geared towards geologists-bunson burner and HCL required! But this book is great because it focuses on hobby collecting. It shares trade names, costs (a little older, but it gives you a sense of relative pricing which is so helpful!!), lapidary uses, among other things. There are tons of pictures of polished minerals/rocks which are helpful as well as notes about treatments that are sometimes done to minerals to enhance color-so useful for the novice collector. I find myself going back to reread portions of the book as I expand my collection. I highly recommend this!!
10 people found this helpful
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M. Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, great source material, and worthwhile
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
Informative for the mature, seasoned rock hound as well as the curious youngster developing an interest. Great photos with fine detail to easily identify the rock in your hand.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Braden
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
Very informative
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E.N
5.0 out of 5 stars Livro excelente, qualidade/ preço. Recomendo
Reviewed in Spain on October 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
Excelente
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The_Whizz
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise and useful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
Have been a hobbyist since childhood, on and off. Recently renewed my interest in lapidary. This is the clearest and most succinct, useful book on the subject.
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Jorge Hernández Cantú
5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro
Reviewed in Mexico on March 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
Apropiado para estudiantes y profesionales de ciencias de la tierra y de los minerales, libro de bolsillo muy completo y a todo color
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Raja
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in India on September 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
Good
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