This unique publication was written with a broad spectrum of users in mind, from the novice rockhound to the trained professional, including students, prospectors, geoscientists and mineral laboratories. It is literally a step-by-step cookbook approach to mineral identification and includes easily administered "how-to methods" some of which are proprietary. For the first time it is now possible for even a novice to derive at a reasonable positive identification of an unknown mineral sample. Surprisingly, expensive research equipment is not necessary to achieve positive results.

Trained professionals and laboratories may find the publication useful as a ready reference for certain steps or methodologies that can be executed with a high degree of accuracy. In addition, integrated into the mineral identification process is an exhaustive collection of tables and charts.