Description

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See crystals of every color, find out which gemstones are priceless, and explore the uses of crystals in technology as well as jewelry.

From the rarest crystal to the most common stone, gems from around the world are revealed in dazzling detail in this illustrated guide. Young readers can use the encyclopedic profiles to identify all kinds of crystals and gems, and watch how a diamond in the rough becomes the show-stopping centerpiece of a valuable ring. Packed with essential information, this edition is more interactive than ever with new infographics, statistics, facts, and timelines.

Find out what gives a labradorite its colors, discover how piezoelectricity is used, and see how crystals can be made in a laboratory. Eyewitness Crystal & Gem is the perfect guide for homework help on crystals or those simply wanting to further their knowledge of these fabulous natural creations. This book also comes with a fact-filled poster, great for your bedroom wall or classroom.

About the Author

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R. F. Symes, better known as Bob, was a celebrated figure in British geology and mineralogy for almost 50 years. He joined the staff of the British Museum in 1957 in the natural history department and eventually earned a BSc in geology from Birkbeck College. Symes was largely responsible for bringing the first electron microprobes to the Natural History Museum. Alongside P. G. Embrey, he discovered the minerals parkinsonite and mereheadite. A pink oxychloride, symesite, was named in his honor in 2000. He was also awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to the Natural History Museum and to mineralogy. R. F. Symes died in 2016.