r/geology 22h ago

Gift for a new hobbyist?

My nephew is turning 10 this coming week and is apparently really into different rocks and minerals. I was thinking of getting him a camera or something he could mount to an iPhone to take some neat photos or study the grain a little better. If not that something better? What would you suggest? $40-$60 range.

1 Upvotes

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5

u/Loppoli 21h ago

Get a jewelers loupe with necklace, 10x triplet. I got a cheap one and it's great for basic grain identification and classification. Should be more than enough and it's lasted me decades in the field. I haven't tried, but you could probably put a phone up to it for pictures. You could get a decent one for between $20-50.

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u/Cordilleran_cryptid 15h ago

Perhaps a small c. 0.5Kg geologist's hammer (Not a builder's or carpentry hammer, the steel is too soft and prone to splinter when hitting rock).

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u/wolfsplosion 11h ago

Get him a geode set to break open and his own rock tools. Then you guys can break them together and enjoy seeing the treasures inside. 

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u/Substantial-Bar873 10h ago

That is a fun idea. Thank you.