Gauge/caliper? Loupe? What tools as a consumer

[natascha]

Long time no see

I am continuing in my love (hark hark obsession ) with old cuts. I enjoy going to pawnshops, etc looking for pretty things and honestly in order to get a good grip on what I am looking at I want my own loupe and something to figure out what size I am looking at.

So far for loupes I found some great posts with recommendations. It seems like the Belemo loupe might be good for someone like me. Or do you have any other idea (maybe for something cheaper ). I just want it for checking out girdles, chips and SI type inclusions.

What I need help with is finding something (gauge, caliper???) to measure stones. I need to be able to measure mounted stones but I don't want to spend the money ha ha. I just need something somewhat accurate to get a ballpark idea (kinda hard to see if a stone is 5.9mm or 6.5mm with just your eyes).

Of course then we have all the other interesting toys.
-I want to get an UV light (but for that I guess I don't need anything special).

-Should I get an ASET? Might be too scary a proposition for old cuts but since one place where I usually go to don't allow you to look at the things in natural light just under their horrible jewelry spotlighting, I thought it might be an idea.

- So what else is good to have? tweezers, etc. Oh and those little boxes.

Any recommendations of a good website?

Thank you!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I just wanted to say that cheap 10x and 20x loupes are totally adequate for the purposes you mention. Mine have come from ebay and amazon and cost a few dollars each.

 

[natascha]

That was my original idea too.However having gotten to use more professional loupes a couple of times, the difference is really night and day. However I don't know how bad the normal loupes I have tried are. I really appreciate you opinion, I keep waffling regarding what I should do. I guess it will come down to what I end up getting as a measurement device, depending on that cost I might just end up buying a cheapie from ebay or amazon. Do you have any recommendations?

I seriously need to get something because I got a new pet rock . I have given myself a headache two days in a row since I got it. The center stone has a tiny inclusion visible under the loupe. And I have really good eyesight for closeups, so I end up spending hours trying to find that inclusion with the naked eye. Well I finally succeeded. You need the right type of light so that the facets are lit up but not shining, angle the stone 30 degrees and twist it from 12 to 3 o'clock. At 6 inches it is not visible but if I concentrate at roughly 3 1/2 inches doing the above, then I can see it. Of course doing that gives me a headache. And I am such a tool that I did again today .

 

[pinkjewel]

I just purchased the Belemo loupe on the advice of one of our precision cutters and from past posts on the forum. I am expecting it any day. I purchased mine from "Geological tools and Outfitters" and I thought their price was pretty reasonable. I'm also planning on purchasing a UV light of some sort and tweezers. I'll have to go look at my notes-but the tweezers are a medium point diamond tweezer from a Swiss company (non locking and matte black)- just can't remember the company name

 

[natascha]

I just purchased the Belemo loupe on the advice of one of our precision cutters and from past posts on the forum. I am expecting it any day. I purchased mine from "Geological tools and Outfitters" and I thought their price was pretty reasonable. I'm also planning on purchasing a UV light of some sort and tweezers. I'll have to go look at my notes-but the tweezers are a medium point diamond tweezer from a Swiss company (non locking and matte black)- just can't remember the company name

Saving that site ( that did seem like a good price on the belemo, although I need to look into the shipping costs since I live in Europe). Where are you getting the UV light and the tweezer?

 

[natascha]

Sorry to bump this but it ocurred to me that I think both Dreamer and Gypsy use calipers to measure their stones. WHat calipers are you using?

 

[natascha]

This may be a stupid question. Can this type of caliper be used to measure a mounted stone?

 

[I like ice]

I am hoping someone with knowledge replies cause I would love to know these answers as well

 

[beaujolais]

Can this type of caliper be used to measure a mounted stone?

I use those to measure lots of my set stones. Just go between the prongs on each side. I adore my electronic caliper. It is invaluable.

 

[natascha]

Can this type of caliper be used to measure a mounted stone?

I use those to measure lots of my set stones. Just go between the prongs on each side. I adore my electronic caliper. It is invaluable.

Oh that's great! Where did you buy yours?

The one in the photo is actually not for jewelry (I think it is for electrical stuff). If I could find one that is OK quality but actually for jewlery ( so smaller) that would be great.

Thank you!

 

[beaujolais]

I'm sorry, I don't use the one in your photo. I was mistaken.

I use this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Digita...A%2BFICS%2BUFI&otn=21&pmod=300519943460&ps=54

It is still small. Great tool. I don't remember where I got it from. It was a long time ago.

 

[natascha]

I'm sorry, I don't use the one in your photo. I was mistaken.

I use this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Digita...A%2BFICS%2BUFI&otn=21&pmod=300519943460&ps=54

It is still small. Great tool. I don't remember where I got it from. It was a long time ago.

Thank you for the link. I was actually hemming and hawing regarding which to get. The one in my photo just takes up a lot more space (measures 150mm vs 25mm from the one you have), not so fun to pull out that bad boy in public but it is a lot cheaper.

Feeling pretty cheap right now, got a new pet rock and still waiting for an appraisal on some stuff I want to sell (seriously wish I could just sell on diamondbistro, hate paying 15%sellers fee and then the buyer has to pay an extra 22.5% buyers fee on top of that ).

 

[I like ice]

Natasha have you looked into the new loupetroop site? It may be a good alternative to diamondbistro. Their new fees sound really high!

 

[natascha]

Natasha have you looked into the new loupetroop site? It may be a good alternative to diamondbistro. Their new fees sound really high!

Oh those are not diamondbistro fees.

They are the fees for selling at the auction houses in Scandinavia. It is a major pain to send things insured from Sweden to the rest of the world. And if you want to sell over here you pretty much have to go through the auction houses, there are no alternative markets that work well for jewelry. This is because Swedes traditionally don't wear a lot of diamonds. Our traditional engagement rings are plain gold bands. More and more people are starting to like diamonds but they are on a much smaller scale ( my e-ring is a 1,07ct in a halo, I am considered to be really odd over here . Oh and people don't believe it is real. ).

 

[allowingtoo]

If you do a search on eBay for pocket microscope 60x (they also sell them in 45x , but I'm not sure they have the same UV feature) - you can get a really inexpensive high powered loupe (almost too high powered, but I have bad eyesight and I wanted to be able to read the GIA inscription on the girdle) AND a UV light in one. I think they're pretty amazing for the price.

 

[beaujolais]

Feeling pretty cheap right now

No, no, you need an electronic caliper, imo. Indispensable. It comes in handy for other things besides gemmies, too.

Those are not DB fees, btw. It's only a dollar to list.

 

[beaujolais]

Allowingtoo:

Which of the "pocket microscope 60x " did you get? I just looked on e-bay and it seems there are a few different ones. One with a UV light would be great !

Tx so much,
sonoma

 

[natascha]

If you do a search on eBay for pocket microscope 60x (they also sell them in 45x , but I'm not sure they have the same UV feature) - you can get a really inexpensive high powered loupe (almost too high powered, but I have bad eyesight and I wanted to be able to read the GIA inscription on the girdle) AND a UV light in one. I think they're pretty amazing for the price.

Oh those look really nifty. However I think I had best start with a 10 mag loupe, and then start adding to my toolkit

 

[natascha]

Feeling pretty cheap right now

No, no, you need an electronic caliper, imo. Indispensable. It comes in handy for other things besides gemmies, too.

Those are not DB fees, btw. It's only a dollar to list.

See that what I need to hear .

I think I have decided to get the BelOMO (have no clue what to get otherwise). I sent of a question regarding how long shipping takes and hope they respond soon.

I just keep waffling between the one you showed me and being really cheap and getting something like http://www.ebay.com/itm/CALIPER-CARBON-FIBER-DIGITAL-3-GENERAL-1433-FRACTIONAL-/200584590486?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb3c5f496#ht_964wt_952

I am being stupid, aren't I?

 

[beaujolais]

See that what I need to hear .

Is that what we call an enabler?

I love my digital caliper. Yes, a Belomo loupe, for sure.

Honestly, I'd skip the caliper you posted and go with one you know will do stones well. If the one you pictured is clumsy with stones, then you have not saved money at all.

 

[natascha]

See that what I need to hear .

Is that what we call an enabler?

I love my digital caliper. Yes, a Belomo loupe, for sure.

Honestly, I'd skip the caliper you posted and go with one you know will do stones well. If the one you pictured is clumsy with stones, then you have not saved money at all.

Yes, Sir!

I have now ordered the belomo loupe and the gem gauge you recommend. I guess I knew the right answer but it still feels good to have someone hold your hand. So a big thank you to you .

Now I have to wait 6-11 business days . I am one of those types that will take forever to decide but once I have made a decision I want it right now .

 

[allowingtoo]

Allowingtoo:

Which of the "pocket microscope 60x " did you get? I just looked on e-bay and it seems there are a few different ones. One with a UV light would be great !

Tx so much,
sonoma

They are all about the same. enjoy24hours has sold a lot of them. I suppose because they say theirs has GLASS lens LOL. It doesn't say UV light but it says Currency Detecting which means UV light. I'm pretty sure they are made all in the same place and all have the same feature. Shipping is a little slow because of where they are shipped from. It's not 2-3 days by any means. But for around $3.00 it can't be beat. When you first get it - you might think it doesn't work. It comes with no instructions I think, or little. The tube slides up and down from the main unit for focus, they don't tell you that.

 

[pinkjewel]

See that what I need to hear .

Is that what we call an enabler?

I love my digital caliper. Yes, a Belomo loupe, for sure.

Honestly, I'd skip the caliper you posted and go with one you know will do stones well. If the one you pictured is clumsy with stones, then you have not saved money at all.

Yes, Sir!

I have now ordered the belomo loupe and the gem gauge you recommend. I guess I knew the right answer but it still feels good to have someone hold your hand. So a big thank you to you .

Now I have to wait 6-11 business days . I am one of those types that will take forever to decide but once I have made a decision I want it right now .

Did you order your belemo loupe from the site I gave you? If so, tell them to open the box and check the loupe before they send it!!! I just got the one I ordered from them and they accidently sent me the 20x instead of the 10x. Not a big deal for me to send back and get the right one- but would be much harder for you in a different country! I guess they normally mark the outside box if it's the 20x, but somehow mine slipped through.

 

[Gypsy]

I bought this loupe, on the advice of PSers and it's been great. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/loupe-buying-help.175820/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/loupe-buying-help.175820/[/URL]

Plus Digital Calipers (suggested already) and for me, an ASET scope and you are set.

 

[pinkjewel]

I bought this loupe, on the advice of PSers and it's been great. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/loupe-buying-help.175820/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/loupe-buying-help.175820/[/URL]

Plus Digital Calipers (suggested already) and for me, an ASET scope and you are set.

yup- that's the one I just purchased,too-but they mistakenly sent me the 20x. Like I said-not a big deal for me to exchange, but I believe the OP lives in a different country- so not as convenient for her if they sent the wrong one.

 

[natascha]

See that what I need to hear .

Is that what we call an enabler?

I love my digital caliper. Yes, a Belomo loupe, for sure.

Honestly, I'd skip the caliper you posted and go with one you know will do stones well. If the one you pictured is clumsy with stones, then you have not saved money at all.

Yes, Sir!

I have now ordered the belomo loupe and the gem gauge you recommend. I guess I knew the right answer but it still feels good to have someone hold your hand. So a big thank you to you .

Now I have to wait 6-11 business days . I am one of those types that will take forever to decide but once I have made a decision I want it right now .

Did you order your belemo loupe from the site I gave you? If so, tell them to open the box and check the loupe before they send it!!! I just got the one I ordered from them and they accidently sent me the 20x instead of the 10x. Not a big deal for me to send back and get the right one- but would be much harder for you in a different country! I guess they normally mark the outside box if it's the 20x, but somehow mine slipped through.

I ended up ordering it from Minsk, Belarus (where they make them) since it ended up being easier to ship (cross my fingers until it gets here). It ended up being a bit cheaper due to the shipping and they seemed more used to shipping internationally. I am currently updating the tracking all the time . Oh and the seller was really prompt with replies, even late on a Sunday night.

Did you try out the 20x loup? I have heard that it is harder to use.

 

[natascha]

I bought this loupe, on the advice of PSers and it's been great. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/loupe-buying-help.175820/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/loupe-buying-help.175820/[/URL]

Plus Digital Calipers (suggested already) and for me, an ASET scope and you are set.

Do you have the same digital calipers?

I think I should get one of those graspy things ( very technical term ) to hold loose stones. Do they have an actual name? I dropped my diamond the other day and spent 2 hours on my knees looking for it.

See know I am waffeling regarding the ASET scope. How useful is it for real old cuts?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Belomo 10x loupe. It is WAY better than the cheapies in my experience. Worth the money since a loupe is the most important tool you use.

Digital calipers. I would pay more for the small jewelery-specific ones. Mine are the cheap ones that you pictures and it is stupid huge, I think its for carpentry applications. I wish I had a smaller set.

One of those claw, graspy things for holding loose diamonds... like a pen you click and a claw pops out the end.

Diamond tweezers would be good to have, though I don't own them.

 

[ForteKitty]

I bought a digital scale recently. It's nice because I ebay a lot so I need to see if the jewelry weight is as adertised. It's also fun to weigh my gems and loose diamonds.

 

[pinkjewel]

No- I didn't try the 20x loupe. The mail came late on Friday and I was headed out of town. Just opened the box, saw it was the wrong one,called the company, and then put it back in the box. On retrospect- I should have tried it out!! Oh well- I also had heard the 20x was not as good for an all round loupe-so wasn't too interested. The company was great,though, I already received my replacement 10x yesterday! Love it!!