Expanding upon and modernizing the foundation laid by Charles Palache’s 1935 classic, this series serves as an encyclopedic update for the 21st century.
Volume I: History, Geology, and Descriptive Mineralogy Focuses on the geological evolution of the Franklin Mining district, the intricate mining history of the New Jersey Zinc Company, and the specific geochemical environments that produced nearly 400 distinct mineral species, dozens of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
Volumes II & III: The Species Descriptions (A–Z) An exhaustive alphabetical catalog of every verified mineral found in the district. Each entry includes updated chemical formulas, crystallographic data, occurrence details, and diagnostic features.
This series of books features thousands of high-resolution, full-color photographs of world-class specimens, including specialized sections on the region’s iconic fluorescent minerals under ultraviolet light. it integrates decades of new research, including updated Raman spectroscopy and electron microprobe data, to correct historical misidentifications and document recently discovered species. Beyond the science, it archives the human element: the collectors, miners, and researchers who have defined the “Franklin Legend” over the last two centuries.
Ultimately, King’s series is more than a field guide; it is a monumental reference for mineralogists, geologists, and serious collectors, documenting one of the most mineralogically complex square miles on the planet.
The videos below show some behind the scenes of how these books came to life.