The new edition of this popular textbook, once again, provides an indispensable guide for the next generation of mineralogists. Designed for use on one- or two-semester courses, this second edition has been thoughtfully reorganised, making it more accessible to students, whilst still being suitable for an advanced mineralogy course. Additions include expanded introductions to many chapters, a new introductory chapter on crystal chemistry, revised figures, and an extended plates section containing beautiful colour photographs. Text boxes include historical background and case studies to engage students, and end-of-chapter questions help them reinforce concepts. With new online resources to support learning and teaching, including laboratory exercises, PowerPoint slides, useful web links and mineral identification tables, this is a sound investment for students in the fields of geology, materials science and environmental science, and a valuable reference for researchers, collectors and anyone interested in minerals. >Divided into six parts, the book covers a wide range of topics, from the classification of minerals and structure of crystals, to the physics of minerals and how they form in the natural environment >Emphasis is placed on linking minerals to broader geological processes, to show students the wider applications of mineral science >The authors convey the importance of minerals within our everyday lives and their economic value, illustrating the practical significance of mineralogy >New electronic resources include laboratory exercises and 3D crystal structures that can be manually rotated Table of Contents Part I. Minerals as Chemical Compounds: 1. Subject and history of mineralogy 2. Elements, bonding, simple structures and ionic radii 3. Isomorphism, solid solutions and polymorphism 4. Chemical formulas of minerals 5. Classification and names of minerals 6. Mineral identification of hand specimens Part II. Symmetry Expressed in Crystal Structures and Morphology: 7. The concept of a lattice and description of crystal structures 8. Crystal symmetries: point groups and space groups 9. Crystalline defects 10. Crystal growth and aggregation Part III. Physical Investigations and Properties of Minerals: 11. Experimental approaches to crystal structures: X-ray diffraction 12. Physical properties 13. Optical properties of crystals 14. Mineral identification with the petrographic microscope 15. Colour 16. Advanced analytical methods 17. Mechanical properties and deformation Part IV. Mineral-Forming Processes: 18. Mineral genesis 19. Considerations of thermodynamics 20. Phase diagrams Part V. A Systematic Look at Mineral Groups: 21. Important information about silica materials. Their occurrence in granite and pegmatite 22. Simple compounds. Unusual mineral occurrences 23. Halides. Evaporite deposits 24. Carbonates and other minerals with triangular anion groups. Sedimentary origins 25. Phosphates, sulfates and related minerals. Apatite as a biogenic material 26. Sulfides. Hydrothermal processes 27. Oxides and hydroxides. Review of ionic crystals 28. Orthosilicates and ring silicates. Metamorphic mineral assemblages 29. Sheet silicates. Weathering of silicate rocks 30. Chain silicates. Discussion of some igneous and metamorphic processes 31. Framework silicates. Zeolites and ion exchange properties of minerals 32. Organic minerals Part VI. Applied Mineralogy: 33. Metalliferous mineral deposits 34. Gemstones 35. Cement minerals 36. Minerals and human health 37. Mineral composition of the Solar System 38. Mineral composition of the Earth Appendix 1. Metallic, submetallic and nonmetallic luster, sorted according to hardness Appendix 2. Minerals that display some distinctive physical properties Appendix 3. Rock-forming minerals that are coloured in thin section Glossary References Index.