--- product_id: 48431941 title: "Rocks & Minerals: The Definitive Visual Guide" price: "€ 55.83" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.at/products/48431941-rocks-and-minerals-the-definitive-visual-guide store_origin: AT region: Austria --- # Smithsonian-backed geological accuracy Comprehensive glossary included 450+ vivid specimens photographed Rocks & Minerals: The Definitive Visual Guide **Price:** € 55.83 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 💎 Unlock Earth’s hidden gems before everyone else does! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Rocks & Minerals: The Definitive Visual Guide - **How much does it cost?** € 55.83 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.at](https://www.desertcart.at/products/48431941-rocks-and-minerals-the-definitive-visual-guide) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Accessible & Engaging:** Glossary and clear diagrams make complex geology approachable for professionals and enthusiasts alike. - • **450+ Stunning Specimens:** Dive into a visual feast of over 450 rocks, minerals, crystals, and gems, each captured in brilliant detail. - • **Practical Collector’s Wisdom:** Master cutting, polishing, and displaying techniques to elevate your rockhound game. - • **Smithsonian-Verified Expertise:** Trust the ultimate geological guide crafted with the Smithsonian Institution’s authoritative input. - • **From Earth’s Origins to Modern Marvels:** Explore the fascinating journey of Earth’s treasures from primeval times to today’s prized collectibles. ## Overview Rocks & Minerals: The Definitive Visual Guide is a Smithsonian-endorsed, richly illustrated reference featuring over 450 detailed photographs and descriptions of rocks, minerals, crystals, and gems. It combines scientific accuracy with practical advice on collecting and care, making it an essential resource for both novice and seasoned enthusiasts eager to deepen their geological knowledge. ## Description Explore the treasures of the Earth - sparkling crystals, vibrant gemstones and age-old fossils - with this illustrated guide that's sure to captivate every rockhound and budding gemmologist. From primeval origins to their astonishing modern-day uses and appeal, this is the ultimate portrait of Earth's geological riches - rocks, minerals, crystals, and gems. Also included is a focussed look at other precious materials often prized for their beauty, such as amber, coral, ivory, and fossils. Learn how to identify more than 450 rock and mineral specimens through stunning photographs and detailed characteristics. Discover more about rocks and minerals through folklore and historical artefacts, and find out the fascinating stories behind the world's natural treasures, including the Hope diamond and the Great Mogul emerald. Practical advice on cutting, polishing, and displaying your finds further equips you with all the knowledge needed to delve into the arena of rock and mineral collecting. Rocks and Minerals was produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, the world's largest museum complex, ensuring the guide's accuracy. Review: Brilliant! - Yes it's true, the print is very small, just about manageable. But to use larger type would double the size of the book which is already a good size. The photos are excellent and clear, and the amount of learning involved in writing this book is simply phenomenal! Every imaginable rock is included and several varieties of them. And while most geology books seem to assume the reader has a degree in the subject so they understand all the technical terms, this book has a GLOSSARY! Worth buying for that alone. Loads of info about each rock. For example i always wondered why many flint nodules have a white crust - the book tells me it's from weathering. So your questions are probably answered too. It's not bedtime reading as it would never send you to sleep, it's a very comprehensive reference book. Get one and you'll see i'm not exaggerating. Review: Lots of clear colour photos. It begins with the creation of Earth and what happened to it next! - Diagrams are helpful in explaining unfamiliar terms. There is also a glossary. It takes the reader step-by-step from earliest times to present. Includes industrial uses, origin of names, history and microscopic images of materials. Very attractive and colourful. As an adult with no previous knowledge of the subject it is very enjoyable to read. ## Features - New - Mint Condition - Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon - Guaranteed packaging - No quibbles returns ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 462,507 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 50 in Geology References 103 in Rocks, Minerals & Fossils 296 in Palaeontology | | Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 497 Reviews | ## Images ![Rocks & Minerals: The Definitive Visual Guide - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/918Qv4Ce14L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brilliant! *by T***R on 28 November 2022* Yes it's true, the print is very small, just about manageable. But to use larger type would double the size of the book which is already a good size. The photos are excellent and clear, and the amount of learning involved in writing this book is simply phenomenal! Every imaginable rock is included and several varieties of them. And while most geology books seem to assume the reader has a degree in the subject so they understand all the technical terms, this book has a GLOSSARY! Worth buying for that alone. Loads of info about each rock. For example i always wondered why many flint nodules have a white crust - the book tells me it's from weathering. So your questions are probably answered too. It's not bedtime reading as it would never send you to sleep, it's a very comprehensive reference book. Get one and you'll see i'm not exaggerating. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lots of clear colour photos. It begins with the creation of Earth and what happened to it next! *by M***D on 6 January 2022* Diagrams are helpful in explaining unfamiliar terms. There is also a glossary. It takes the reader step-by-step from earliest times to present. Includes industrial uses, origin of names, history and microscopic images of materials. Very attractive and colourful. As an adult with no previous knowledge of the subject it is very enjoyable to read. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A treasure trove of information.Suberb & Informative *by A***K on 28 March 2012* I bought this book just as an effort to learn more about fossils and all that relate to it.The hardback book i bought is just basically more than i could ask for.It gives you names of rocks,stones and why they are given that name, as well as some info on the person it was named after.As well as the chemical compounds and what they are used for now and in the past.The pictures are fantastic and i keep dipping into this book all the time - just don't buy this book if you have a closed mind.There are probably tons of things i have missed but it really is a fantastic book. ## Frequently Bought Together - Rocks & Minerals: The Definitive Visual Guide - The Pebble Spotter's Guide - Fossils (DK Handbooks) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.at/products/48431941-rocks-and-minerals-the-definitive-visual-guide](https://www.desertcart.at/products/48431941-rocks-and-minerals-the-definitive-visual-guide) --- *Product available on Desertcart Austria* *Store origin: AT* *Last updated: 2026-07-17*