Ideal Scope - Worth buying to look at already set stones?

[TFantino]

I''m going to be looking at some rings that are already set...

Is it still worth buying the IdealScope?

And would you recommend the backlight with set stones?

Thanks!

 

[kcoursolle]

I think I would just buy the setting from a place I knew had nice melee sidestones such as whiteflash. Usually when the settings are high quality the side stones are as well.

 

[neatfreak]

I agree with Kcoursolle that it''s better to just buy from a reputable place for the setting to make SURE your sidestones are good quality.

An IS though would be a GREAT investment to look at the center stones if the vendor does not already provide IS images for them.

As for melee, the simplest way to tell if it''s at least decent is to see if the stones are full cut (unless it''s an antique) and make sure there are no black or apparent inclusions. This can be done with a simple microscope or loupe. It won''t tell you anything about the cut of the melee, but you will wipe out the worst offenders this way.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 5/30/2007 5:42:22 PM
Author:TFantino
I''m going to be looking at some rings that are already set...

Is it still worth buying the IdealScope?

And would you recommend the backlight with set stones?

Thanks!

let me see if I have your question correctly because if I do then I''m interested as well...

Can you use it on stones that are already set in rings and I believe the answer is yes but I''d love garry to discuss this.... and if there is no light from behind can it be used?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/30/2007 6:03:34 PM
Author: Cehrabehra

Date: 5/30/2007 5:42:22 PM

Author:TFantino

I''m going to be looking at some rings that are already set...


Is it still worth buying the IdealScope?


And would you recommend the backlight with set stones?


Thanks!

let me see if I have your question correctly because if I do then I''m interested as well...


Can you use it on stones that are already set in rings and I believe the answer is yes but I''d love garry to discuss this.... and if there is no light from behind can it be used?

I had heard it could be used, but the images obviously aren''t as good and prongs can block things. Also interested in what the master has to say though!

 

[TFantino]

Can you use it on stones that are already set in rings and I believe the answer is yes but I''d love garry to discuss this.... and if there is no light from behind can it be used?

Yes, this is exactly the question I am asking (sorry if I wasn''t clear before).

Basically, if I am looking at rings in settings (either being pre-set or previously worn)... how effective is the Ideal Scope?

 

[strmrdr]

ASET works better on set stones.
less picky about the light.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 5/30/2007 10:22:52 PM
Author: strmrdr
ASET works better on set stones.
less picky about the light.

good to know - I was planning to have neil take photos of the stone set to see if the bowl actually does anything measurable LOL