Dan, you might want to "work your way down" to micros until you get a scope.  Micros require magnification and are seldom display pieces, so make sure you are sufficiently excited about them before investing in a scope, which will cost you 500 bucks on average. Many thumbnails have crystals that need a loupe or scope to appreciate also.  I use "mineral tack", made just for the purpose, to mount my specimens.  It It does not leave an oliy residue like other puttys or clays, and can be easily removed without damage to the specimen.  Go to Shannon and Sons minerals to get a pack.  Google it.  By the way, I have just added a couple hundred new thumbnails to my inventory.

I currently do not have any micromounts in my collection, although I know I've got several specimens that would definitely qualify.  I did want to chime in just to add some "food for thought" so to speak.

There are several advantages in going smaller.  With smaller specimens you are able to get much more perfectly formed crystals.  They will be cheaper.  You will save space.  Trading is easier as many micro mounter/ thumbnail collectors have a surplus of specimens.  And you will easily be able to expand the variety of your collection.

The preference is subjective and may very well change with time.  I've noticed how collectors often times move from initially collecting cabinet size and then switch to thumbnails or micros but never go in the opposite direction.  And logically so -- space becomes an issue with cabinet size after a while.

There is a large network of collectors out there for these smaller size specimens and I'm sure you would have no problem expanding, trading, and improving your collection once you got into it.  It all about personal preference at this point, and whether or not you want to invest the time getting into that world.  If you do end up exploring it, I would be very interested in seeing what you come up with as I've been interested in that "world" for sometime now.  I personally would be interested in the thumbnail size as I would still be able to capture the beauty with my macro lens as oppose to having to purchase a microscope.

Scott

No, just a regular Cannon Rebel DSLR.

Joe,
I am just lookin into it and gathering ideas from folks.  May very well stay with cabinet sized and just have to make room for another curio cabinet.     We may have to reinforce the room's floor.

I would be going with the thumbnails or even the micros to pick up minerals that I don't have in my collection.  It seems like you can pick up varieties that you cannot find in cabinet size, at least in affordable prices. 

Saturday should work depending on what time you want to stop by.  Just give a yell.  I have only sold off have of the box so far.