This book explains the structural relationships among di- and ring silicate minerals, known for their hardness and brilliant colors, and the geological conditions that create the beautiful crystals prized by collectors. The minerals are arranged systematically to emphasize how they fit into structural groups, and generously illustrated with nearly 600 structure diagrams, color photos, and drawings. An extensive bibliography includes a broad range of easily accessible references ranging from the foundational literature and original species descriptions to reports on current scientific research.[AuthorName]By Robert Lauf[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]The author holds a PhD in metallurgical engineering, and has conducted wide-ranging scientific research in fields ranging from nuclear fuel to microwave processing and biomineralization. He has been granted over forty US patents and has written fourteen books on mineralogy for the collector.[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]581 color images[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle]Di- and Ring Silicates[/SubTitle][ColorPattern]581 color images[/ColorPattern]