1.0 - Science
1.1 - Minerals under the Microscope
1.1.1 - Micro Collecting
Many people collect rocks and minerals; but if you look in people's collections, you'll usually find mostly interesting, but not too spectacular rocks, and a few "prized" specimens.
The reasons for this are simple: Cost and rarity. Fine specimens become less and less likely as the size increases for various reasons, and as they become less likely, they become more expensive.
The answer to this is micro-collecting. Just as size goes up, cost goes up, the inverse is also true: As size goes down, cost goes down. But just as usefully, rarity goes down. You can actually find stunning micro-specimens almost anywhere. Why? Simple: because they're hard to see, so no one bothers with them.
1.1.2 - The QX3 Microscope
Modern technology has brought mineral collectors something wonderful, though, and that is Digital Blue's QX5 Computer Microscope. With the QX5 (which can be found for well under $100 at places like ThinkGeek) a whole new world of collecting is opened up. For you, for your kids, and as you see on this page, for everyone else, too. Further, the QX5 can be used to look at many things in the world, and that is an educational experience your children (and you!) will enjoy and benefit from.
Now, examining the product literature for the QX5, you'll see that it says it requires Windows. You should know that there is an awesome QX5 program for Mac OSX you can get from EdH Software, LLC. That's what I use, I've never even unwrapped the Windows software that comes with the QX5.
No, I don't sell the microscope. I'm just an enthusiastic user.
1.1.3 - The Mineral Specimens
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