Polk pens new lapidary guide
IOLA, Wis. – Nearly everyone at one time or another has picked up a rock that caught their eye for some reason; maybe it was because of its peculiar shape, pretty color, or the way it glinted in the sunlight. While a lot of people tossed it aside after they took a closer look, others slipped it into their pocket to keep – and thus, a rockhound was born.
Patti Polk, author of the just-released 3rd edition of “Collecting Rocks, Gems, and Minerals: Identification, Values and Lapidary Uses,” has been collecting, cutting and polishing rocks for jewelry and display for more than 20 years, and her enthusiasm for them and the hobby flows through this book, making it a must-have resource. The easy-to-use reference is designed with beginner rockhounds in mind, yet filled with technical information that makes it a keen asset for advanced rock and gem collectors. It is also the only book in the field that offers values.
This new edition is completely revised and expanded, featuring some new rocks and minerals including quartz with lazulite, chrome chalcedony, gem silica, bertrandite, carrollite and kinoite. The book’s quick-reference format is organized by category and color of stone, making it simple to identify all types of finds. The book also includes lapidary and mineral display materials, organics such as amber, bone, coral, pearl and shell, and lists the chemical group, system, hardness, opacity, fracture, and specific gravity, among other features, for specimens. There are also valuable tips for locating, buying and collecting rocks and minerals. Plus, the packaging of the book is both durable and flexible, which allows for use at home or in the field.
Written by an author with decades of rock-collecting know-how, this new edition takes readers from being just people who appreciate rocks to true collectors.
Polk is recognized as one of the top agate collectors in the world and is also the author of “Collecting Agates and Jaspers of North America,” and the upcoming “The Crystal Guide: Identification, Purpose and Values,” which will be released in December. She has also been published in Rock & Gem magazine and numerous other periodicals. She also speaks at rock and mineral club programs and has frequently served as a trail guide for visitors to Arizona.
This new edition is available at booksellers nationwide, and directly from the publisher at KrauseBooks.com. Krause Publications is an imprint of F+W, a Content + eCommerce Company (fwcommunity.com). In addition to this title, many other antiques and collectibles-related references released by Krause Publications can be found at KrauseBooks.com.
Editors’ Special: Purchase this new edition for the limited-time price of $14.86 and free standard U.S. shipping. Order online at KrauseBooks.com, or call 855-864-2579 (M-F 8am-5pm MDT) or the editors directly (telephone #’s at left). Use Discount Code ROCK16. This offer is valid through July 22, 2016.
