Field atlas / 01
The Mineral Observer
Learn to look before you label
English PDF · 88 pages$18.99
View ebookHome / The Guides / Reading Rocks
Design sample — final ebook in preparation.
Field atlas / 02
Reading Rocks
Explore the three great rock families
Discover the stories behind everyday stones. Explore igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks through texture, visible grains and layers, with observation prompts for your next walk.
$18.99English PDF · 96 planned pages
Digital PDF ebook in English. No physical book, specimens, tools or other equipment are included. For personal use only.
- —Understand the three main rock families.
- —Describe visible grains, layers and textures.
- —Compare specimens without relying on colour alone.
Field atlas / 02
About this guide
A pebble can look ordinary until you begin to notice its texture.
Reading Rocks introduces the three major rock families and the processes behind them, helping you ask better questions about grains, layers and structure.
Follow clear chapters on igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, then put your observations into field notes and comparison sheets. Bring a more attentive eye to the stones around you.
What you will learn
By the end of this guide
- 01Understand the three main rock families.
- 02Describe visible grains, layers and textures.
- 03Compare specimens without relying on colour alone.
- 04Keep a structured field notebook.
Who this is for
Beginners who want an accessible introduction to the rocks around them.
What it does not do
Contents
It does not identify a specimen for you, certify an identity or a value, or promise that an unidentified mineral is safe to handle. Identification may need more information and specialist help, and collecting depends on local rules and permission.
Every chapter and its starting page
- 4Before you begin
- 8A story in every texture
- 20Igneous beginnings
- 36Sedimentary layers
- 52Metamorphic change
- 68Compare without rushing
- 78A walk with a notebook
- 86Field observation sheets
- 94Further reading
96 planned pages. Chapter start pages are the editorial plan for this edition, not verified final pagination.
Look inside
A sample page, shown in full.
Sample page · VELTAN · 12
Let texture lead
Look at the whole specimen, then move closer. Can you see separate grains, repeated layers or interlocking crystals? Describe their size and arrangement. These observations help you compare possibilities; they are not a complete identification on their own.
Try it
- Sketch the arrangement you can see.
- Note the scale of visible grains.
- Write down more than one possibility.
Design sample — final ebook in preparation.
FAQ
Before you choose.
Are these physical books?
No. These products are English-language PDF ebooks. No physical books, specimens or equipment are included.
Do I need to know geology already?
No. The guides are designed as an introduction, with observation prompts and explanations for beginners.
Will a guide identify every specimen for me?
No. Identification may require more information and specialist help. The guides help you observe, compare references and record uncertainty; they do not certify an identity or value.
Are these crystal healing guides?
No. VELTAN focuses on observation, introductory geology and collection records, without healing or medical claims.
Do I need special tools?
You can begin with a notebook and close observation. Any additional equipment discussed in a guide is not included with your purchase.
Can I collect rocks anywhere?
No. Check local access and collecting rules and obtain any required permission. An interesting place to observe is not automatically a place where removal is allowed.
How do I receive the ebooks?
After a completed purchase, the PDF files are supplied through the store’s digital delivery service. A PDF reader is needed to open them.
Can I share the files?
The files are for personal use. Please do not redistribute, resell or upload them for others.
The other guides
Continue your reading
Field atlas / 03
The Specimen Cabinet
Build a collection with a story
English PDF · 72 pages$18.99
View ebook
The VELTAN Field Atlas Collection
Explore the complete collection.
Three complementary digital guides: careful observation, the three rock families and a collection you can keep organised. 256 planned pages.
£46.99
The three guides are added to your basket as three separate digital ebooks.
Digital product notice
Digital PDF ebook in English. No physical book, specimens, tools or other equipment are included. Cover and interior images are design samples of an edition still in preparation. For personal use only.
Observing responsibly
These guides help you observe, compare references and record uncertainty — they do not certify an identity, a value or a safe specimen, and they are not crystal healing or gemstone appraisal guides. Check local access and collecting rules and obtain any required permission before removing anything. Younger readers need appropriate adult supervision. The photographs are editorial illustrations, not authenticated identification plates.
VELTAN
Look closer. Keep the story.