<p><b>Unearth a treasure trove of knowledge and discover the spectacular array of rocks and minerals on Earth!</b><br><br>Learn how to identify more than 500 rocks and minerals of the world through stunning photographs, detailed characteristics and quick, accessible text.<br><br><b>Inside the pages of this comprehensive guide, you''ll discover:</b><br><br>- A clear visual key distinguishing different rocks and minerals to make identification easy and accurate<br>- Each entry includes at-a-glance technical details, for quick reference<br>- Stunning photographs show close-ups of key details and unique attributes<br>- Highlights the key features of minerals: chemical group and composition, hardness, specific gravity, crystal cleavage, and fracture<br>- Highlights the key features of rocks: group, origin, pressure and temperature, grain size and shape, classification, and fossils<br><br>From igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks to sparkling minerals, <i>DK Handbooks: Rocks & Mineral