Exploring
and Mining for Gems and Gold in the West by Fred Rynerson
This book is the personal history of the adventures of
Fred Rynerson, one of the early tourmaline miners of San Diego County.
Although he did not have a lot of formal education, he was a very intelligent
man who had a keen eye for geology and for people. This is one of
my all-time favorite books--if you have any interest at all in pegmatites
or what conditions were like in early twentieth century southern California,
I highly recommend this book.
Emerald and Other Beryls by John Sinkankas
This classic covers almost everything you would like
to know about beryls: crystallography, history, worldwide occurence, coloring
agents, synthesis techniques and more. This is a fun book to read
if you have any interest in beryls. Hard to find but there are copies
out there, and worth searching for.
Field
Collecting Gemstones and Minerals by John Sinkankas
The one thing I don't like about this book is the title--there
are many books on collecting rocks and minerals that are almost completely
worthless. This is not one of those books. This book is filled
with useful tips on where to find fine mineral specimens and how to get
them out safely once you do find them. The section on pegmatites
is excellent.
Gem and Crystal Treasures by Peter Bancroft
In Gem and Crystal Treasures you'll find photos and descriptions
of many of the most famous mines in the world. After going to a few
mineral shows or reading the literature, you'll see certain sites turning
up time and time again. This book describes many of those sites.
Dana's
New Mineralogy : The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward
Salisbury Dana by James Dwight Dana, H. Catherine W. Skinner, Eugene
E. Foord, Richard V. Gaines.
This is the new edition of the long out-of-print classic.
I haven't had much of chance to look at it yet (it's VERY expensive), but
if it's anything like the last edition every serious mineral collector
will want to have a copy.
Handbook
of Mineralogy, Elements, Sulfides and Sulfosalts by John W. Anthony,
Richard A. Bideaux, Kenneth W. Bladh, Monte C. Nichols
Handbook
of Mineralogy : Silica, Silicates by John W. Anthony, Richard A. Bideaux,
Kenneth W. Bladh, Monte C. Nichols
Handbook
of Mineralogy : Halides, Hydroxides, Oxides by John W. Anthony
This three volume set came out before the new edition
of Dana's, and I believe it was intended to serve the same purpose.
Like the seventh edition of Dana's System, it too is in three volumes.
Like the new Dana's, it's also quite expensive--but it can at least be
purchased a volume at a time.
The Tourmaline Group
For earth science books that are hard to find or out of print, try:
Peri Lithon Books
Used & antiquarian books
(619) 488-6904
5372 Van Nuys Court, San Diego 92109
Mail: P. O. Box 9666, San Diego 92169-1996
John & Marjorie Sinkankas
By appointment only
Geosciences, gems, mining, mineralogy
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jim@pegmatite.com