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Education Outdoor Guides

Best Rock and Mineral Field Guides

Katie Reseburg
Written by Katie Reseburg
Updated November 2020
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: North America
National Audubon Society
Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: North America

A comprehensive guide that is easy to follow and a good size to take into the field.

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Bottom Line

A comprehensive guide that is easy to follow and a good size to take into the field.

Pros

Easy to follow descriptions include environment, field marks, similar rocks and minerals, and variations of color or crystal form. 794 full-color photographs in all. Good quality print. Includes a section on how to collect minerals. 856 pages.

Cons

Some felt that this focused too much on minerals, and not enough on "average" rocks.

Best Bang for the Buck
NationalGeographic Pocket Guide to Rocks and Minerals of North America
NationalGeographic
Pocket Guide to Rocks and Minerals of North America

An affordable guide that is good for novices who don't want to be overwhelmed with too much information.

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Bottom Line

An affordable guide that is good for novices who don't want to be overwhelmed with too much information.

Pros

Covers rocks and minerals, as well as fossils and land formations. 160 entries in all. Easy to read. Features key identification points, as well as special sections on where to find rocks and minerals and how to hunt them. Low price.

Cons

Some felt that this guide spent too much time on fossils and land formations and not enough on rocks and minerals. Lacks details.

John Farndon The Illustrated Guide to Rocks & Minerals
John Farndon
The Illustrated Guide to Rocks & Minerals

Stands out for its 800+ photographs and illustrations, but it may be a little too technical for some.

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Bottom Line

Stands out for its 800+ photographs and illustrations, but it may be a little too technical for some.

Pros

Good textual explanations, as well as over 800 photographs and illustrations. 256 pages. Features quick-reference checklists to aid in identification, and a section on how to build your own collection.

Cons

Some found this guide to be a little too complex, so it may not be the best guide for complete beginners.

Smithsonian Handbooks Rocks & Minerals
Smithsonian Handbooks
Rocks & Minerals

Features a lot of detailed information for both beginning collectors and experts.

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Bottom Line

Features a lot of detailed information for both beginning collectors and experts.

Pros

Photographs and detailed information on over 500 rocks and minerals. Good for both beginners and more advanced collectors. Well written, and easy to follow. 256 pages. Includes a special section on how to start a collection. Good size.

Cons

Doesn't include maps, and the way it is laid out, it can be difficult to identify rocks. Some found the print quality poor.

Simon & Schuster Guide to Rocks & Minerals
Simon & Schuster
Guide to Rocks & Minerals

Packed with illustrations, this guide is easy to read, but may be too basic for those looking for in-depth information.

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Bottom Line

Packed with illustrations, this guide is easy to read, but may be too basic for those looking for in-depth information.

Pros

Broken down into a mineral section and a rock section, each with a detailed introduction. 377 entries in all, with more than 1,000 illustrations. Index is well organized and useful. Clear and easy to read. 607 pages.

Cons

Not the guide for those looking for more scientific information. Some feel the binding is poor quality, or that the pictures are blurry.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

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First Reviewed
October 03, 2018
30
Models
considered
8
Hours
researched
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The team that worked on this review
Our Top Picks
National Audubon Society
Best of the Best
National Audubon Society
Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: North America
Bottom Line
A comprehensive guide that is easy to follow and a good size to take into the field.
Shop Now
NationalGeographic
Best Bang for the Buck
NationalGeographic
Pocket Guide to Rocks and Minerals of North America
Bottom Line
An affordable guide that is good for novices who don't want to be overwhelmed with too much information.
Shop Now
John Farndon
Top Pick
John Farndon
The Illustrated Guide to Rocks & Minerals
Bottom Line
Stands out for its 800+ photographs and illustrations, but it may be a little too technical for some.
Shop Now
Smithsonian Handbooks
Top Pick
Smithsonian Handbooks
Rocks & Minerals
Bottom Line
Features a lot of detailed information for both beginning collectors and experts.
Shop Now
Simon & Schuster
Top Pick
Simon & Schuster
Guide to Rocks & Minerals
Bottom Line
Packed with illustrations, this guide is easy to read, but may be too basic for those looking for in-depth information.
Shop Now
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