idealscope and Loop (worth buying?)

[NYCSpoonman]

Is it worth buying both of these and having a look at the diamond myself? Would a jeweler be offended if you pull these tools out in the store?

Also how often do jewelers have idealscope images? I see that sometimes websites have it but most of the time they do not. Is it common to request all of the available images of a diamond when buying?

 

[dk168]

IMHO, a loup of at least 10x magnification is very useful, not just for buying diamonds, but also other gemstones, and I don't care if a vendor is offended if I request to inspect a stone or piece of jewellery using a loup.

I shall walk away if they object, as I suspect they may have something to hide.

Can't comment on Idealscope, sorry.

DK

 

[kay1]

I was curious about this too actually - once a stone is set, can you still use an ideal-scope on it?

If so i may buy one so I can see the light return on the final ring myself More for my own satisfaction!

 

[Andelain]

I've used an IS on my set stones. It's not quite as accurate, but you still get a good idea of what you have.

Any jeweler that get bent about you pulling out a loupe is one you want to run, not walk, away from. An honest vendor WANTS you to be an informed customer.

 

[heididdl]

I carry my 10x and 30x loupe in my pocketbook and it is funny I whip it out all the time for my stones or ones I'm looking at or other people are looking at. It will surprise you you get much better answers if they think or you know what you are looking at. The idealscope I don't own but probably should.

 

[Gypsy]

I have an ASET and a loupe. And this cool idealscope thingy Gary once gave out at a PS GTG. And I have the lighting box.

The lighting box is awesome. It's expensive. But I think if you are going want the easiest way to use the ASET and IS, the lighting box is key.
You can also ring something close to it with a flashlight ap on a smart phone and some clear sticky stuff from a craft store to keep the diamond in place.

Oh and I have sizing rings and a mandrel.

 

[kay1]

I have an ASET and a loupe. And this cool idealscope thingy Gary once gave out at a PS GTG. And I have the lighting box.

The lighting box is awesome. It's expensive. But I think if you are going want the easiest way to use the ASET and IS, the lighting box is key.
You can also ring something close to it with a flashlight ap on a smart phone and some clear sticky stuff from a craft store to keep the diamond in place.

Oh and I have sizing rings and a mandrel.

I tried the LED flash on the ring i ordered (uninformed and pre-PS), after reading up on PS and it's quite amazing what you see. It was a bit of a juggling act getting my hand still and the right sort of angles to get the perfect view tho. (In case you curious, it had pretty good symmetry - arrows etc except at the 5 o clock position. Despite that it had very little fire - normal light - because it was close to a 60/60)

PS. Why 'gypsy' - what made you come up with that nickname? Just curious

 

[hathalove]

I want a loupe... Which one should I buy?

 

[MarionC]

I want a loupe... Which one should I buy?

My Belomo 10x has excellent optics. [I found it on Amazon]. I have several other brands and the optics aren't nearly as good.

 

[hathalove]

I want a loupe... Which one should I buy?

My Belomo 10x has excellent optics. [I found it on Amazon]. I have several other brands and the optics aren't nearly as good.

Thanks Jimmianne! Cause you know I want to make myself just a little crazier. going to look now!

Side note. I was using one at a jewelry store recently and afterwards I got really nauseous does that happen to anyone else?

 

[satbeachbill]

I usuallly get that way when I break out the credit card!!

 

[dkata]

I have an idealscope, and also an ASET scope! I used it already twice, as I bought a diamond! I found it very useful, and I do not regret to have bought it!

 

[hathalove]

I usuallly get that way when I break out the credit card!!

This too!!!

 

[WinkHPD]

When you are looking at a diamond or other stone in a jewelry store, do not use your loupe.

Ask to use their microscope so that you can REALLY see what is in that diamond. Without years of experience you will not see most of it with just a loupe.

Any diamond vendor that does not have a microscope available for you to use, that is when you take the advice to run, not walk from the store!

If they only want you to use a loupe, it is because they know that you will miss things that an expert would catch.

Wink

P.S. Or they just don't have one, which is probably even worse in my opinion.

 

[Gypsy]

I want a loupe... Which one should I buy?

My Belomo 10x has excellent optics. [I found it on Amazon]. I have several other brands and the optics aren't nearly as good.

That's the one I have. Been very happy with it.


As for Gypsy. Lots of reasons. But mostly because this VERY TIRED Gypsy moves around alot. Hoping to stop that in the next couple years. Want a forever home.

 

[madelise]

I bring mine? I pulled out my IdealScope in Harry Winston, too, and the SA had a total ball with it. It was the Manager that had a snarky "I'm not impressed" face.