Loupe buying help.

[Gypsy]

So I bought this one without knowing anything about loupes and I hate it. http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Triplet-Loupe-20X-Chrome/113762?pos=3

I have to bring things up too far (which I just figured out is what that focal length number means)
The lens is too small (lense diameter number makes a difference wouldn't you know)
And I don't really need 20x although is is nice for inclusion hunting on ebay buys. But 10 or 15x is fine.

So before I spend any more money on another loupe I hate. Can you guys recommend a nice one with a big lense that's nice quality for me? I like Rio Grande as they have great shipping and customer service, so they are my first choice for a vendor, but if there is a good loupe they don't carry somewhere else I'll buy from there. I'd rather not spend more than 20 because I have a bad habit of losing small things. But will go up to 25 if I have to.

Here's Rio Grande: http://www.riogrande.com/Category/Tools-and-Equipment/120/Magnifying-and-Optical/324/Loupes/1246

 

[kenny]

Spend so much you'll never lose it.
BeloOMO, Nikon, Zeiss, Harald Schneider.

You will never lose one of these.

 

[Gypsy]

Oh Kenny. I can lose ANYTHING. Have you seen my 400 "I've misplaced my engagement ring AGAIN" posts? Do you know how many times the lovely and generous Clairetek has been here hunting with me to find my DIAMONDS. A loupe would have no chance. LOL.

Nope. I just want a serviceable loupe that I can use comfortably.

 

[Karl_K]

I have this one:
http://www.riogrande.com/Product/LED-10X-Lighted-Triplet-Loupe/113286?pos=6
It is very good for the price.
The nikon is better however.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I got this one on Charmypoos recommendation somewhere else, and it is awesome. Heavy, works great, not too pricey so if you lose it, oh well!! I misplace mine all the time but somehow find it.

http://www.geo-tools.com/lens.htm

 

[kenny]

Oh Kenny. I can lose ANYTHING. Have you seen my 400 "I've misplaced my engagement ring AGAIN" posts? Do you know how many times the lovely and generous Clairetek has been here hunting with me to find my DIAMONDS. A loupe would have no chance. LOL.

Nope. I just want a serviceable loupe that I can use comfortably.

Go-friend, last week I lost my entire FCD collection . . . for about 24 hours.
They were away from their home at the bank for an event.
I won't go into the details but let me say it was not pretty.
I thought I was pick-pocketed.
I was a wreck.

I have no idea why but suddenly I just remembered where they were.
I immediately brought them right back to the bank's safe deposit box where they belong.

Let me give you some advice.
Don't get old.

 

[Gypsy]

I have this one:
http://www.riogrande.com/Product/LED-10X-Lighted-Triplet-Loupe/113286?pos=6
It is very good for the price.
The nikon is better however.

Okay. That looks good.

 

[Gypsy]

I got this one on Charmypoos recommendation somewhere else, and it is awesome. Heavy, works great, not too pricey so if you lose it, oh well!! I misplace mine all the time but somehow find it.

http://www.geo-tools.com/lens.htm

Should have looked at this one first. Okay... I think this is the front runner. I'm liking the viewable of 19mm. And the viewing distance is good too.

 

[Gypsy]

Oh Kenny. I can lose ANYTHING. Have you seen my 400 "I've misplaced my engagement ring AGAIN" posts? Do you know how many times the lovely and generous Clairetek has been here hunting with me to find my DIAMONDS. A loupe would have no chance. LOL.

Nope. I just want a serviceable loupe that I can use comfortably.

Go-friend, last week I lost my entire FCD collection . . . for about 24 hours.
They were away from their home at the bank for an event.
I won't go into the details but let me say it was not pretty.
I thought I was pick-pocketed.
I was a wreck.

I have no idea why but suddenly I just remembered where they were.
I immediately brought them right back to the bank's safe deposit box where they belong.

Let me give you some advice.
Don't get old.

OMG. I would have FREAKED OUT! I'm so sorry you went through that but so happy that you found them.

I can't help but get old. I've been scatterbrained all my life, but it's only getting worse the older I get.

 

[Gypsy]

Bought the BELOMO!! Problem hopefully solved.

 

[ksinger]

Bought the BELOMO!! Problem hopefully solved.

You won't be sorry. The Belomo is a durable tank of a loupe. I adore mine.

 

[Enerchi]

[quote="kenny|1337841241|3202391
Go-friend, last week I lost my entire FCD collection . . . for about 24 hours.
They were away from their home at the bank for an event.
I won't go into the details but let me say it was not pretty.
I thought I was pick-pocketed.
I was a wreck.

I have no idea why but suddenly I just remembered where they were.
I immediately brought them right back to the bank's safe deposit box where they belong.

Let me give you some advice.
Don't get old.[/quote]

OMG! Kenny that must have freaked you out completely! I would have had a major panic attack if that were me! I'm so glad you remembered where they were and all worked out...

I'm with ya on the don't get old advice... I cant remember my kids names half the time... it's pathetic...

 

[Enerchi]

Gypsy, thanks for this thread because I also just ordered that same loupe, based on Karl K's recommendation!

 

[ame]

I didn't even need to post in this thread, I was gonna say Belomo is a good one!

Kenny I had a heart attack just now FOR you.

 

[kenny]

I heard the BelOMO loupes are so fine and a superb value for their price point because they are made by a company that used to develop design and manufacture optics for Soviet spy satellites during the cold war.

http://www.richardspens.com/?page=accessories/loupes.htm

 

[Gypsy]

Well, I'm excited to get mine. You should see the other one I bought, it's just terrible. It's so bad it's a joke. Thanks everyone for helping me find something useable, budget friendly, and good quality. I appreciate it very much, as always.

 

[ame]

It's a fun little thing to have. Besides jewelry, I loupe my print work, my cuticles....my zits. lol

 

[Rae~]

I know the original question was answered and resolved (yay) so I hope no-one minds me butting in with a follow-up question.

I am also looking for a replacement loupe - my old one is not great - and I am looking at all of the recommendations so far. Kenny, do you have links to any specific higher-end ones you'd recommend?

But my main question is - how do people carry their loupe? I had my old one knocking around in the bottom of my handbag permanently, but only because it came in a little plastic hinged case. Even then, dirt/dust gets in and while it doesn't rub on the lens (the loupe is in a fitted casing), it still gets awfully dirty over time.

Do you only take it out (with you) when you are planning to look at stones/jewellery? Or do you always have it with you? Do you have a case for it?

I've seen little leather cases for loupes, but they would not be dirt/dustproof. By this stage you can probably tell that I am not one who swaps handbags regularly - my "daily" handbag is used until it falls apart, then I get a new one. If I am going out (to dinner or an event) I take one of my other ones, but just general out and about, or to woek, I always use the same handbag. Probably blasphemy to some here!!

At this point I am thinking I am going to have to put it in a ziplock baggie in my handbag. But I'd love a solution with a nicer aesthetic! So, please gift me your ideas/experiences?

 

[ame]

But my main question is - how do people carry their loupe? I had my old one knocking around in the bottom of my handbag permanently, but only because it came in a little plastic hinged case. Even then, dirt/dust gets in and while it doesn't rub on the lens (the loupe is in a fitted casing), it still gets awfully dirty over time.

I am also a non-swapper on my bags, I use the same one til it is near death, or looking pretty sad!

I have my loupes in leather loupe cases, most that came with the loupes. But I do carry one on me, I keep it in the leather case, and it's in the little pouch I keep my rings/ring boxes in. If I am going to a ball game and NOT leaving my rings in the safe at home, I carry the loupe with me and one or two old Tiffany pouches with snaps in a ziploc in my little crossbody thing just in case I need to go do some inspecting and or removal.

Keeping it in this pouch has prevented dust and dirt pretty well. I haven't had any issues with that.

 

[Lookinagain]

generally the same topic but can anyone suggest what calipers to buy to measure stones that are mounted? There are so many options online and I don't know which would be reasonably priced but accurate. Your suggestions are appreciated.

thanks.

 

[Karl_K]

generally the same topic but can anyone suggest what calipers to buy to measure stones that are mounted? There are so many options online and I don't know which would be reasonably priced but accurate. Your suggestions are appreciated.

thanks.

I would go digital for ease of use.

Mitutoyo is the standard that many machine shops require.
There are better for a lot more money but they get the job done.

Neiko makes decent clones of the Mitutoyo.

The difference is in feel the Neiko just don't have the feel of the Mitutoyo for precision work.

With both make sure you are getting the real deal as both have been counterfeited at one time or another.
I saw some on amazon that are likely counterfeit.

 

[jordyonbass]

Oh Kenny. I can lose ANYTHING. Have you seen my 400 "I've misplaced my engagement ring AGAIN" posts? Do you know how many times the lovely and generous Clairetek has been here hunting with me to find my DIAMONDS. A loupe would have no chance. LOL.

Nope. I just want a serviceable loupe that I can use comfortably.

Go-friend, last week I lost my entire FCD collection . . . for about 24 hours.
They were away from their home at the bank for an event.
I won't go into the details but let me say it was not pretty.
I thought I was pick-pocketed.
I was a wreck.

I have no idea why but suddenly I just remembered where they were.
I immediately brought them right back to the bank's safe deposit box where they belong.

Let me give you some advice.
Don't get old.

I don't think I want to know all the details. I had a heart palpitation when I read that you lost your entire collection while still subconsciously knowing you wouldn't have mentioned this if it hadn't been fully recovered.