FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[vic rzonca]

I am looking for a used edition of the Dana system. Not sure if this is a proper request in this forum, but if anyone has one (I, II, III ) I would appreciate a PM.

Thanks

[Jesse Fisher]

I assume you are referring to the 7th edition, which was in three volumes. Best contact a book dealer such as John Stimson (Rocks of Ages). You could also try one of the on-line used book search engines such as Alibris, AbeBooks or AddAll(dot)com.

[Tracy]

Try Powell's Books too. I think they have a 6th edition with appendices and Volume One of 7th ed.

- Tracy

[Les Presmyk]

I think I have a set available. I will check tonight. I am not a book dealer but they show up in collections.

[vic rzonca]

Thanks Les, its most appreciated. Foolish not to have gotten one before now. I realize a seventh edition would be best, but would a sixth do for the novice?

[John S. White]

Vic, the 7th will not work for you, in my opinion, because it does not include the silicates, except for quartz. I would recommend Dana's Textbook of Mineralogy, 4th edition, a book that I refer to very often.

And, based upon your question about the babingtonite "group," it appears that you need to acquire Fleischer's Glossary of Mineral Species 2008 as well.

[vic rzonca]

I miss spoke (a rank novice) , would it be the pyroxeniod group, John?

[John S. White]

Rhodonite group.

[GneissWare]

The Handbook of Mineralogy is also available on line. You can google for it.

[Jesse Fisher]

John is correct in that the 7th edition of Dana's System was never completed - the only silicates covered are the silica minerals. If you want to cover these, a set of Deer, Howie, and Zussmann's "Rock Forming Minerals" would fill the gap as it is primarily focused on silicates. I've seen sets (5 volumes) of the first edition available for around $250. For the novice, this might qualify as serious overkill, however. The 4th edition of Dana's Textbook of Mineralogy, despite the fact that it dates from the 1930s is still one of the best single-volume mineralogy textbooks out there (in English). There is also a condensed, one-volume version of Deer, Howie, and Zussmann, called "An Introduction to the Rock Forming Minerals" that was published for student use.

[vic rzonca]

I was wondering why the 7th edition would be less useful than the 4th, that explains it, Jessie. One of my greatest attributes is an inability to hide my ignorance, thanks for the input. Fleischers Glossary was easy to find, not so with 4th edition of Dana's Textbook. $250-small price to pay to avoid stupidity.

[Tom Tucker]

Vic, don't be confused by the 7th Edition of Dana's System, and the 4th Edition of Dana's Textbook. I just found at least four copies of the Textbook for $ 15 or less on the web - a great buy ! You might well consider also the Manual of Mineralogy, after J.D.Dana, 21st Edition - I found several copies for less than $ 20, and it may present a more modern description of mineralogy, and be easier reading for someone just getting interested. That book is now published as the Manual of Mineral Science, 23rd Edition, and is priced at ridiculous levels.
I also found Vol. 1 and Vol 2, of Dana's System, 7th Edition, for a total of $ 24 - a super great buy. Vol. 3 is less common, and priced above $ 75, at first glance. PM if you want more info.
Tom

[Jesse Fisher]

Vic,
I know it may be a little confusing, but there is a Dana's System of Mineralogy, a Dana's Textbook of Mineralogy and a Dana's Manual of Mineralogy. The System is a more complete mineralogical reference whereas the Textbook is exactly that, as is the Manual. All series have been through many editions. The most recent 8th edition of the System was published a few years ago. It received less than glowing reviews but I find it useful despite some faults. Being a recent academic publication, the price is likely to be high. The Manual has been through many editions as a standard introductory mineralogy text for undergraduate university courses. As a reference work, the 4th edition of the Textbook is much more complete than recent editions of the Manual and is what I would recommend.

[John S. White]

I whole heartedly agree with Jessie. I find the "Textbook" extremely useful, I refer to it probably more often than any other book in my library, and it really is so much more than just a textbook. The introductory crystallography section is excellent, and the info there has not really been superceded by newer publications. The detailed locality listings for older occurrences are also very useful.