Did you know that if you pass electricity through quartz, it shakes at a regular pace? That is why many watches contain a tiny quartz crystal, to keep them ticking evenly. And did you know rhodium is far more expensive than gold? It is used in cars' catalytic converters, which cut down the pollution from exhausts. Discover how and where minerals form, why some minerals are rarer than others, and how they are used to advance technology with this fascinating fact-filled book. Plus, find out what gives some minerals their fabulous colours and why some form intricate patterns and shapes in this absorbing, illustrated non-fiction title.

 

This book is part of a book series called Rock Explorer .

There are 24 pages in this book. This book was published 2018 by QED Publishing .

Claudia Martin has worked in book publishing for 17 years. She is the author of several books and websites for children and young people. Her favourite subjects are history, current affairs and technology.

This book has the following chapters:

What is a Mineral? 4

How Minerals Grow 6

Amazing Crystals 8

Bright and Beautiful 10

Shining Metals 12

Strange and Powerful 14

Most Deadly 16

Hunting for Minerals 18

Useful Minerals 20

Mineral Guide 22

Glossary 23

Index 24