p Mineral collecting by amateur rockhounds has never been more popular. Old quarries, road cuts, and exposed landscapes are being examined by new generations of minerals enthusiasts. Each needs a comprehensive guidebook with clear photographs and accurate data. This is it. pp In a thick but handy format, more than 700 different minerals and rocks are grouped by color for ease of location in the book -- blue, red, yellow, brown, green, white and black crystals brown and gray sedimentary rocks and meteorites for anyone lucky enough to find one. pp Each has a picture -- four to a page -- opposite detailed but clear data p ul li Chemical formula li li Hardness li li Color li li Density li li Lustre li li Cleavage li li Fracture li li Tenacity li li Crystal form li li Similar minerals and where they are likely to occur. And many will have a diagram of its crystal form -- up to four, for fluorite, for example. ulp iThe Minerals Encyclopediai is unusual for the number of minerals it covers mo