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Review of Handbook of Mineralogy. II. Silica, Silicates. From Rocks & Minerals (1997) 72, 273 by Robert B. Cook, Auburn University Volume 2 of the Handbook of Mineralogy is an invaluable reference on essentially all 904 silicate minerals known and described as of 31 August 1994, corresponding to those species covered in the 1995 edition of the Glossary of Mineral Species. It is the most comprehensive treatment of silicate minerals to be published in English in this century. As in volume I, the minerals are arranged in alphabetical order, each on a single page that contains enough data to completely characterize the species for most purposes. This information includes the mineral’s name, chemical formula, crystal system, point group, habit, twinning, cleavage, fracture, tenacity, hardness (Mohs and Vickers), density (measured and calculated), optical properties, streak, luster, unit cell parameters, partial X-ray powder data, various aspects of the mineral’s chemistry including analyses, and geological occurrences and locality data. Other information includes the origin of the mineral’s name, the location of type material, and important literature references for the species. Several aspects of this work stand out. First, the amount of data incorporated "under one roof" is overwhelming, particularly when one considers the complex nature of silicate mineralogy and its attendant, very diverse and sometimes confusing (and confused) literature; the work is unique as a comprehensive reference on silicates. In addition, the editorial technique and perfection shine through, reflecting the attention to detail of the authors and in particular the publisher’s general partner, Richard Bideaux. Although there must be at least one editorial correction to be identified, I could not find it. Furthermore, in spot checking the specific mineralogical data against cited references, there again appears to be a very high degree of accuracy in information condensation, abstraction, and transfer. Consequently the work is unusually valuable as a starting point when researching a specific species, particularly one not covered in more restrictive traditional works such as those devoted only to rock-forming silicates, clay minerals, or zeolites, for example. It is difficult to find fault with Silica and Silicates, particularly since this is the second volume of what is designed to be a comprehensive set of books that will collectively treat all of mineralogy in a prescribed format. There could be photographs and crystal drawings, but illustrations are clearly not within the scope of these works and would, in fact, delay publication and detract from the orderly, precise presentation. In fact, they are unnecessary, and the reader is pointed in the proper directions should illustrations be important through the carefully selected references at the end of each mineral’s description. There could be more locality information, but realistically, there is no practical end to the information available for many of the species covered, and the authors have done a good job of presenting a well-rounded picture of the occurrences of most species. The volume could be cheaper, of course, but that would result in a greatly reduced quality in materials, printing, and binding. In view of the fact that volume 1, Elements, Sulfides, and Sulfosalts, sold out rapidly and has been reprinted at a cost of $90, the present volume, which consists of a two-book set, is quite a deal. For all mineralogists and collectors interested in descriptive mineralogy, each volume of the Handbook of Mineralogy is a must. |