East Africa is famous for its world-class gemstones and mineral specimens, most notably the highly sought-after blue tanzanite, found only in Tanzania in a very small area in the northeast. Many other minerals and gemstones are mined in the region, and this is the first publication to showcase and examine those occurring in the five East African countries Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The book includes:

- An introduction to the fascinating geology of the region, including a map depicting underlying geology and mineral occurrence. 
- Detailed descriptions of minerals, including their gemological properties, history, occurrence, and diverse uses across all spheres of life. 
- Multiple full-colour photographs of each mineral and gem specimen.