Rocks and Minerals

DK Smithsonian Handbooks

by Chris Pellant

Created in association with Smithsonian Institution, this authoritative guide features more than 500 rocks and minerals. Packed with photographs and details on characteristics, distinguishing features, and more, Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks and Minerals makes identification easy.

Designed for beginning and experienced collectors alike, this guide explains what rocks and minerals are, how they are classified, and how to start a collection. Look up different rocks and minerals, and find clear, annotated photography to pick out the key distinguishing features. Learn the differences between igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and reference the glossary for many more technical and scientific terms.

Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks and Minerals is filled with information about characteristics, colors, unique attributes, and more, making it one of the clearest identification guides for rock and mineral enthusiasts.

Genres: Science, Geology, Reference, Nonfiction, Nature, School, Education

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[JoyReaderGirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Handbook on Rocks and Mineral Classifications. It’s actually one of the best that I’ve ever read for a brief, yet concise overview.

It’s divided into understandable sections: Collecting (field tools; home implements; organization of specimens; and an in-depth discussion on Minerals v. Rocks.).

This is beautifully followed with full color photos and complete analysis of specimens under headings Minerals and Rocks. However, those are broken down further into their subsets: Native Elements; Sulfides and Sulfosalts..., as well as Igneous Rocks, Metamorphic, etc.

This little Smithsonian Handbook is a reference that you’ll use often.

[David W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This field is not for me. It's just so dry. 😭

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought 5.2016 at ETG book store and Cafe in SI, NY.

[Psyche Starks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was highly educational and though-provoking. I didn't know much about rocks when I was young and was super sad and discouraged about them to be honest because my reading skill felt very foggy, yet when I read Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks AND Minerals by Chris Pellant geology seemed to become much clearer. Omg, did you know that gold might actually be solidified dirt? If in doubt, check out Hayao MIyazaki's Spirted Away. In this story, the author Chris Pellant geniously crafts a story of evolution through the ages because Sedimentary, Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks come in as wide a breadth like the animals in the world. I just realized that clay is a mineral that isn't mentioned but that could be seen as metamorphic because it's malleable.

~Psyche R. Starks

[Amanda Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite rock and minerals book ever. I need to purchase a new copy because mine is so tattered. DK guides/handbooks will always be one of my favorites due to the image quality and detailed descriptions. For an amateur geologist like me, I can use all of the descriptions I can get.

[Miss Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great handbook for quick identification.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the layout and the photos!

[Misty Farias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide! This was bought for a stocking stuffer for my son who loves rock collecting! Packed with information....

[Deboshree Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

informative and colourful

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was quite informative. I also like the wide selection of all the rocks hey had in the book. It was very informative.

[Juli Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and useful guide.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating! I learned a lot more about my favorite minerals and the pictures were stunning. Very detailed and easy to understand. Glad my library had this.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good field guide.

[Faiz Haidar · Rating 5 out of 5]

great books

[Zofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

after finishing my course in mineralogy last semester, unearthed this book from my closet to see what I know and if the information is helpful. It rocks. Going to use it as a reference for min ID!

[Fin Robinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Went through a rock FaZe, it just wasn't interesting and I personally hate nonfiction.

[Rachel]

Pellant, C. (2002). Rocks and minerals. New York: Dorling Kindersley.

Citation created by: Rachel Davis
Call Number: 549
Description: Designed for beginners and experienced collectors alike, DK's Smithsonian Handbook of Rocks and Minerals' explains what rocks or minerals are, how they are classified, and how to start a collection.
Content/Scope: Grades 4 & up.
Accuracy/Authority: Part of Smithsonian Institute publishings.
Relation to Similar Works: Revisions and offered in several different languages
Cost: $11.35
Rationale for Selection: To give younger students a great research tool for rocks and minerals and an introduction to reference collections that are easy to use with great picture references.
Professional Review: Although no reviews found for this specific handbook, other Smithsonian handbooks have received very high recommendations.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was too advanced for first grade, probably most of elementary school as well. The photos were only average at best and the text was rather confusing in its arrangement.

I'll keep looking for something easier to understand with better pictures.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a wonderful resource. I sure hope in the future to be able to spend more time out poking around out in the boonies. I really hope that I can take my grandkids down to Quartzsite, Arizona at some point to see the gem shows.

[Minami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned about many rocks in this book how it forms and how it is used It is fun for me because I love rocks

[Avital · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've flipped through this book, it's not really a book. It's an informational book of rocks and minerals.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good guide to rocks and various minerals found worldwide, a range of photographs and specimen descriptions...

[Matthew Mealer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very colorful and informative text but some parts of it were difficult to read due to words being placed over pictures. Third through fifth grade reading.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know that quote "there is physics, and there is stamp collecting"?

This book is about stamp collecting.

[MissJessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously useful reference book for identifying and learning about rocks and minerals. Excellent color photos with detailed information and descriptions. A useful book and educational.

[Shahin · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is aewsome

[Tracie Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

would be excelent for teaching the students about minerals in science class

[Isaac Badejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was cool well I thought that because it had lots of facts about rocks and minerals also it has really long paragraphs that I thought was interesting even though there was a lot of pictures.

[Matthew Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference source.

[Kanku Kasongo]

good