The Be mineral beryl and its colored variants emerald, aquamarine, and “chrysoberyl” (= golden beryl, not the present chrysoberyl) were known to the ancients, and Pliny the Elder had noted that many persons considered emerald and beryl “to be of the same nature” (Sinkankas 1981, p. 20; also Dana 1892; Weeks and Leicester 1968). However, not until 1798 was it realized that beryl contained a previously unknown constituent; analyses before then yielded only silica, alumina, lime and minor iron oxide (Vauquelin 1798; Anonymous 1930; Weeks and Leicester 1968; Greenwood and Earnshaw 1997).

Microscopy is a servant of all the sciences, and the microscopic examination of minerals is an important technique which should be mastered by all students of geology early in their careers. Advanced modern textbooks on both optics and mineralogy are available, and our intention is not that this new textbook should replace these but that it should serve as an introductory text or a first stepping-stone to the study of optical mineralogy. The present text has been written with full awareness that it will probably be used as a laboratory handbook, serving as a quick reference to the properties of minerals, but nevertheless care has been taken to present a systematic explanation of the use of the microscope as well as theoretical aspects of optical mineralogy. The book is therefore suitable for the novice either studying as an individual or participating in classwork. <...> 

An evolution in applied mineralogy related to processing began in the mid 1960's, and significantly modified the scope of the field. Many new instruments were developed and enabled applied mineralogists to accurately determine a wider array of mineral characteristics than was previously possible. The results had a major impact on processing, and many operations now use applied mineralogy as a standard tool. The expanded scope of applied mineralogy made one realize that a dedicated mineralogist is essential at most large mining operations; a person who performs applied mineralogy as an adjunct to other duties can no longer develop the breadth of knowledge and experience that is required to recognize and determine mineral properties that affect different processes. It is also recognized that, to be able to assess what to look for, the applied mineralogist should be a member of a team performing investigations. <...>

The classification of minerals has changed throughout the ages, the criterion of classification following the development of the mineralogical science. In ancient times, the classification of minerals was mainly based on their practical purposes. According to Theophrastus (372-287 B.C.), and Plinius (77 A.D.), minerals were classified as gemstones, ores, pigments, etc. In the Middle Ages, Geber (Jabir Ibn Hayyi'm, 721-c.803), proposed a classification based on the external characteristics and some physical properties of minerals such as hardness, fusibility, malleability and fracture; this physical classification was developed later by  Avicenna (Ibn Simi, 980-1037), and Agricola (1546). With Werner (1774) the physical classification attained its maturity and was generally adopted at the end of the XVIII century. <...>

Популярный рассказ для старшеклассников о профессии геологов, о радости новых открытий, о драгоценных россыпях полезных ископаемых Сибири и Забайкалья.

The term geology is a combination of two Greek expressions: “Geo” refers to the Earth, and “logos” refers to the logic and language used to explain your observations. So think of geology as a way to organize and explain the Earth processes that we see all around us. For some of the strange shapes we see, an educated explanation would be great. Most of what we know is good guesswork, based on lab experiments and inferences that take many detailed drawings to explain and a lifetime to understand. Fortunately, the more you see, the better things fall into place. <...>

The purpose of this book is to present a broad overview of mineralogy. Although usually associated with geology, mineralogy is really a stand-alone discipline in its own right that weaves itself into such diverse fields as art, chemistry, forensic and soil science, wine production, and health-related issues, to name only a few. While this book is geared toward mineralogy and its apply in geology, it will also address mineralogy as a discipline in itself, and show you how it relates to the other sciences, art, and everyday life.

Written primarily for chemists, physicists, engineers, and students in technical colleges and universities, this book provides a first introduction to general information on mineralogy and its own properties in soils. The other properties of minerals are also presented, in the latter chapters.

This book is a product of many authors and their rich experience in researching and teaching mineralogy; in writing it, it was assumed that the reader will have a reasonable knowledge of the nature of minerals.

В книге рассказано о роли в человеческой историк двух важнейших элементов -мироздания — железа и фтора, о роли и значении многих драгоценных камней, о тайнах наскальных рисунков древних людей, о камнях-талисманах, о сердоликовых перстнях Пушкина. Читатель вместе с ааторой, известным в Забайкалье ученым, посетит месторождения железа и фтора, драгоценных топазов и турмалинов в Забайкалье и Афганистане — двух интереснейших рудных провинций земного шара. Книгу с интересом прочтут взрослые и школьники, учителя и студенты, краеведы и туристы — все, кого зовет ветер странствий, кого волнуют айнах степей, шум тайги, радость открытий, новизна неизведанного.

В книге приведены обобщенные данные об истории открытия, эксплуатации, геолого-структурной позиции, минералогии и ресурсах месторождений и важнейших проявлений ювелирных и поделочных камней Восточного Забайкалья. Обоснована необходимость переоценки на ювелирные камни групп берилла, турмалина, кварца и топаза, месторождений и проявлений, связанных е пегматитами. Рекомендовано изучение их па глубину. Показана перспекзивность па ювелирное и поделочное сырье Забайкальско-Монгольской агатоносной провинции. Обоснована концепция создания предприятий с полным производственным циклом от добычи до выпуска камнерезной н ювелирной продукции. Предназначена для геологов, геммологов. предпринимателей, организаторов производства по добыче и переработке ювелирного и поделочного сырья, студентов, любителей камня.