Illustrated throughout with photographs of these wonderfully colourful minerals. Accompanied by a text from a well-known expert in the field, the book includes both a detailed introduction to the geology of agates and a comprehensive guide to the agates of the world.

Agates - few other natural formations exhibit the tremendous variety seen in these curiously banded gemstones; no two are exactly alike when it comes to color, pattern or shape. And though they are found on every continent, many well-known and significant varieties are present in North America. This book features more than 60 of the most famous, most valuable and rarest agates from Canada, the United States and Mexico. Intriguing, informative text explains the fascinating differences between agates, while compelling, true-to-life photos show each agate's special beauty.

This agate book has been compiled to help rockhounds to "think like an agate." Information and photographs are included to help beginning and experienced agate hunters to understand agates "inside out."

This book documents what is likely the most complete collection of agates worldwide. It contains pictures of more than 1250 of the choicest and rarest specimens of sagenite, plume, and banded agate along with some other fine lapidary materials from Pat McMahan's personal collection. The specimens featured in the book come from over 300 locations world-wide. Most of the agates pictured in this book are self-collected by the author. These specimens were collected from 19 states in the Untied States, Mexico, Argentina, Canada, and Alaska. Also included are interesting personal collecting stories, prospecting techniques, and mining history of various locations.

Now in paperback: A call to save ourselves and our planet that gets to the root of the current crisis—society’s extreme short-sightedness

A woman from Scotland recounts her travels in the U.S., focusing particularly issues relating to women (education, employment, etc.), also discussing more general cultural matters.

Today we associate the Renaissance with painting, sculpture, and architecture—the “major” arts. Yet contemporaries often held the “minor” arts—gem-studded goldwork, richly embellished armor, splendid tapestries and embroideries, music, and ephemeral multi-media spectacles—in much higher esteem. Isabella d’Este, Marchesa of Mantua, was typical of the Italian nobility: she bequeathed to her children precious stone vases mounted in gold, engraved gems, ivories, and antique bronzes and marbles; her favorite ladies-in-waiting, by contrast, received mere paintings. Renaissance patrons and observers extolled finely wrought luxury artifacts for their exquisite craftsmanship and the symbolic capital of their components; paintings and sculptures in modest materials, although discussed by some literati, were of lesser consequence. This book endeavors to return to the mainstream material long marginalized as a result of historical and ideological biases of the intervening centuries. The author analyzes how luxury arts went from being lofty markers of ascendancy and discernment in the Renaissance to being dismissed as “decorative” or “minor” arts—extravagant trinkets of the rich unworthy of the status of Art. Then, by re-examining the objects themselves and their uses in their day, she shows how sumptuous creations constructed the world and taste of Renaissance women and men.