Minerals & Gemstones of Southern Africa

Book excerpt: Southern Africa is home to many important and interesting minerals, as well as a wide array of beautiful gemstones – including diamonds from South Africa, emeralds from Zimbabwe and tourmalines from Namibia. Minerals & Gemstones of Southern Africa is not only the most up-to-date publication on the minerals of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, southern Mozambique and Zimbabwe, but also the first to feature the region’s gemstones. Mineral species descriptions detail their gemological properties, history, occurrence and uses, and are illustrated with striking full-colour photographs. The book includes: An introduction to the geology of the region. Detailed descriptions of minerals, including their gemological properties, history, occurrence and uses. Multiple full-colour photographs of the species. An invaluable guide for collectors, gemologists, students and anyone with an interest in earth sciences. Sales points: An important record of the region’s diverse mineral and gemstone heritage. Over 1 000 full-colour photographs. Concise, authoritative text.