·
The first comparison of the
agates, jaspers, and opals together studied as a complete series, with over 800
specimen photos.
·
The first detailed geologic look
at the non-banded agates.
·
A thorough and modern look at
geode and thunderegg formation. The
story of the geodes cannot be written until after the story of the agates is
complete, so the two stories are told in a comprehensive, combined manner.
·
A discussion of why the agates, jaspers,
and opals are amorphous rocks, not minerals, and all the geologic and
identification and classification problems this has historically caused.
·
A complete dictionary or Lexicon
of agate, jasper, and opal terminology of these rocks as they occur worldwide. Over 570 agate, jasper, and opal terms
are described in the Lexicon. This also
includes all the structures in the geodes and thundereggs. This includes over 180 new structures are defined
by the author to describe features are included. The development of this Lexicon extensively
reviewed conflicting, incorrect, and vague terminology. An additional list of several 140 rejected
terms is also included.
·
In Volume I, over 560
conjectures (theories) are presented for agate, jasper, and opal formation
and on the nature of their inclusions and features. It has several hundred tables and figures.
·
An identification key for naming
the agates, jaspers, and opals can be used with the Lexicon.
·
Extensive photographs with the
definitions for the rock types, inclusions, and features. Words cannot describe everything, so numerous
sample photographs are included.
·
The complete chemistry of
formation of the agates, jaspers, and opals.
These rocks occur in very specific conditions that relate to their
formation and appearance.
·
The complete geology of formation
of the agates, jaspers, and opals, including many geologic settings that have
not been previously documented or properly identified.
·
This is the first comprehensive
look at all of the amorphous silicas that includes the agates, jaspers, and
opals, reviewing them in a comprehensive, combined study.
·
This is the first comprehensive
look at all of the related, amorphous rocks that have structures like the amorphous
silicas, to use as models understanding the way these structures form.
·
This is the first comprehensive
look at all the non-amorphous silicas that look similar to them, and how to
identify them in the field.
·
This text focuses on the agates,
jaspers, and opals of the Southwestern United States, which has perhaps half of
the world’s silicate deposits. These
silicates occur in young volcanic rocks with many features and rock types
missing from older silicate bearing regions, especially those of Europe.
·
A discussion of the critical role
of the clay mineral bentonite (a decomposition mineral from volcanic ash) found
with much of these rocks, and how it affects their formation
that is missing from previous texts discussing the formation of these silicates.
·
The models of formation of the amorphous
silicas are summarized in a set of conjectures that serve as conclusion points
and future testable hypotheses.
·
The book does not ignore vein
agates that are usually missing in other texts that focus primarily on nodular
agates.