Minerals
Their Constitution and Origin

The new edition of this popular textbook once again provides an indispensable guide for the next generation of mineralogists.

Hans-Rudolf Wenk (Author), Andrey Bulakh (Author)

9781107514041, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 January 2016

640 pages, 525 b/w illus. 181 colour illus. 100 tables
24.5 x 19 x 3 cm, 1.41 kg

'Wenk and Bulakh's Minerals is both authoritative and accessible, providing a thorough grounding in many aspects of modern mineralogy in a first-rate text.' New Scientist

The new edition of this popular textbook, once again, provides an indispensable guide for the next generation of mineralogists. Designed for use on one- or two-semester courses, this second edition has been thoughtfully reorganised, making it more accessible to students, whilst still being suitable for an advanced mineralogy course. Additions include expanded introductions to many chapters, a new introductory chapter on crystal chemistry, revised figures, and an extended plates section containing beautiful colour photographs. Text boxes include historical background and case studies to engage students, and end-of-chapter questions help them reinforce concepts. With new online resources to support learning and teaching, including laboratory exercises, PowerPoint slides, useful web links and mineral identification tables, this is a sound investment for students in the fields of geology, materials science and environmental science, and a valuable reference for researchers, collectors and anyone interested in minerals.

Part I. Minerals as Chemical Compounds: 1. Subject and history of mineralogy
2. Elements, bonding, simple structures and ionic radii
3. Isomorphism, solid solutions and polymorphism
4. Chemical formulas of minerals
5. Classification and names of minerals
6. Mineral identification of hand specimens
Part II. Symmetry Expressed in Crystal Structures and Morphology: 7. The concept of a lattice and description of crystal structures
8. Crystal symmetries: point groups and space groups
9. Crystalline defects
10. Crystal growth and aggregation
Part III. Physical Investigations and Properties of Minerals: 11. Experimental approaches to crystal structures: X-ray diffraction
12. Physical properties
13. Optical properties of crystals
14. Mineral identification with the petrographic microscope
15. Colour
16. Advanced analytical methods
17. Mechanical properties and deformation
Part IV. Mineral-Forming Processes: 18. Mineral genesis
19. Considerations of thermodynamics
20. Phase diagrams
Part V. A Systematic Look at Mineral Groups: 21. Important information about silica materials. Their occurrence in granite and pegmatite
22. Simple compounds. Unusual mineral occurrences
23. Halides. Evaporite deposits
24. Carbonates and other minerals with triangular anion groups. Sedimentary origins
25. Phosphates, sulfates and related minerals. Apatite as a biogenic material
26. Sulfides. Hydrothermal processes
27. Oxides and hydroxides. Review of ionic crystals
28. Orthosilicates and ring silicates. Metamorphic mineral assemblages
29. Sheet silicates. Weathering of silicate rocks
30. Chain silicates. Discussion of some igneous and metamorphic processes
31. Framework silicates. Zeolites and ion exchange properties of minerals
32. Organic minerals
Part VI. Applied Mineralogy: 33. Metalliferous mineral deposits
34. Gemstones
35. Cement minerals
36. Minerals and human health
37. Mineral composition of the Solar System
38. Mineral composition of the Earth
Appendix 1. Metallic, submetallic and nonmetallic luster, sorted according to hardness
Appendix 2. Minerals that display some distinctive physical properties
Appendix 3. Rock-forming minerals that are coloured in thin section
Glossary
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Materials science [TGM], Mineralogy & gems [PNV], Crystallography [PNT]