To collectors, the word calcite invokes thoughts of shape and for good reason: calcite is found in more habits than any other mineral. It has fascinated crystallographers for generations. Over its long history, calcite has been instrumental in shaping the worlds of microscopy, architecture, mineralogy, technology, physics and even the science of war. Pure calcite is colorless, but even trace impurities can bring intense color to its many forms, and the correct cut can transform common calcite into a stunning gemstone. 
The extraLapis series is well known for the quality, color photographs and clear diagrams that illustrate its plain-language texts. Included in extraLapis English No 4: Calcite are articles on the mineralogy, optics and gemology of the species as well as articles covering calcite pseudomorphs, fluorescence, cave occurrences and cleaning. A full 45 pages are dedicated to great specimens and occurrences in China, Russia, Germany, England, Brazil and the United States.

Calcite: The Mineral With the Most Forms (ExtraLapis English, No. 4)

VARIOUS

Lapis International, LLC

For millennia, minerals and gemstones have been gathered and traded from the countries surrounding present-day Pakistan. While the Karakoram Mountains hosted portions of the Silk Road and other routes over which gems and minerals were traded, Pakistan's magnificent gem deposits were for the most part left undiscovered until the 20th century. Since then, a few daring miners, collectors and dealers have challenged the extreme climate, daunting terrain and rocky political landscape to bring the world some of its finest mineral treasures. No. 6 in the popular extraLapis English mineralogical monograph series, Pakistan - Minerals, Mountains & Majesty is packed with unmatched locality information, detailed maps, stories behind the finds and of course unforgettable photographs.

Pakistan: Minerals, Mountains & Majesty

Si & Ann Frazier

Dudley Blauwet

Bernhard Grasemann

C. Beesley

Erich Draganits

Tyler Funk

Vera Hammer

Eons before humans began extracting and pouring gold, nature was shaping a treasure of her own. Gold is found naturally in a variety of forms from microdust to placer nuggets to complex crystals. 
Since the dawn of civilization, humans have valued gold, but to most, gold bullion has been more valuable than element in its natural form. 
Gold—The Noble Mineral explores the world of native gold. Beginning with the basics of gold mineralogy and enrichment, our expert team of authors traces the history of gold and man from the Egyptians to the modern-day, technoprospectors. Along the way, they describe localities, share stories and offer tips for evaluating specimens and avoiding fakes. Each article is lavishly illustrated with maps, diagrams and unforgettable, full-color photographs of some of the world’s finest examples of crystallized gold.

extraLapis English No. 5: Gold--The Noble Mineral

Five tectonic complexes and the Monte Capanne intrusion come together on the 229 square kilometer island that is Elba. This compact complex geology is the setting for vast iron deposits and historic pegmatites. Elba’s famous iron mines have been long-time producers of world class pyrite and hematite specimens, but its pegmatites are even better known among mineral collectors for yielding fabulous polychrome elbaite, one of the nine mineral species for which Elba is the type locality. Adding to the island’s lure, its numerous classic and rare-species localities are set among lovely villages, majestic cliffs, and long sandy beaches. Elba’s relaxed pace, fine food and wine, and rich flora and fauna invite hikers, sunbathers, cyclists, families, and mineral collectors to while away their vacations on this watery retreat off the Italian coast. Elba is the eighth installment in Lapis International's popular mineralogy monograph series extraLapis English.

The Italian Island of Elba: A Mineralogical Jewel in the Tuscan Archipelago

Federico Pezzotta

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