Loupe

[HDer]

Last question about microscopes.

If I got something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SE12...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SSY22DC7R98GMPD5S19S

would it be sufficient? With this design I wouldn't run the risk of hitting and chipping the diamond right? Obviously it's not going to be as nice as the one you linked and it only has a fixed 20x magnification.

A couple of other "for kids" models:

https://www.amazon.com/Binocular-Mi...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ER7VGG4T96SR1KZYJ66R
https://www.amazon.com/AMSCOPE-KIDS...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MPTHHBAS7TGG8KHE0VH7

 

[WinkHPD]

Absolutely go see J Christopher in San Fan. He is a great guy and you will have a ball!

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

RE: My dilemma is $140 is a bit steep for something I'm probably going to use seriously one time (to read the inscription) and then just keep around the house to play around with from time to time or have kids play around with.

LOL, I had no idea you could get a scope for only $140. I paid $1,800 for mine in 1975. I wish I could buy another one with the optics that this one has for only $1,800. Of all of my gemological instruments, I use this more than all of the others put together.

I have taken this with me to Brasil on a gem inspecting assignment many years ago, getting it through customs was "fun". I have used it with my clients, letting them look through the scope to see the magical world of inclusions in their diamonds and gems, and it is truly a joy to use with crystal clear and sharp focus with each eye independant of the other and the dark field magnification that intensifies the inclusions rather than hiding them. Would that I could carry it in my pocket like I do a loupe. If I could my loupe would be lonely indeed!

Wink

 

[Skhii]

Which microscope do you use, Wink?

 

[lalala]

HDer,

I have been using loupes since 1971. Let me tell you, I ALWAYS use a scope for looking for and at inscriptions. ALWAYS.

When my staff checks in a newly arriving diamond, the first thing they do is sit at the microscope and verify the inscription on the diamond, then take it to the scale to verify the weight as well. It is also the last two things that they do to a diamond that is being shipped out to a client if it has been purchased as a loose diamond. If we are making the mounting, it is the last thing done before we give the diamond to our Workshop foreman.

I do know a very few who I would trust to read an inscription with a 10X loupe, Paul Slegers and Lieve Peeters being two of them.

Of course, a really great loupe is fairly inexpensive. A moderately good microscope is expensive, and a really great one, is worth every extra thousand paid for it, but far out of reach for the average private who wants to look at inscriptions.

Still, if you have access, you will be much happier and confident with it than most will ever be with a loupe.

Wink

New here so I apologize but do you sell diamonds? If so, where? Looking to upgrade...

 

[HDer]

New here so I apologize but do you sell diamonds? If so, where? Looking to upgrade...

Wink owns High Performance Diamonds. Check them out!

 

[rockysalamander]

Last question about microscopes.

If I got something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SE12...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SSY22DC7R98GMPD5S19S

would it be sufficient? With this design I wouldn't run the risk of hitting and chipping the diamond right? Obviously it's not going to be as nice as the one you linked and it only has a fixed 20x magnification.

A couple of other "for kids" models:

https://www.amazon.com/Binocular-Mi...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ER7VGG4T96SR1KZYJ66R
https://www.amazon.com/AMSCOPE-KIDS...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MPTHHBAS7TGG8KHE0VH7

I would totally just take it to a jeweller.

On visiting CBI diamonds. I love diamonds and love to look at them. I look at diamonds and gems at every opportunity. My only worry for you is that you just spent your Ering budget on a diamond that you searched high and low for. You made lots of compromises to get something you and your GF will love within your budget. If you see super-ideal diamonds, and your stone does perform as well or look as bright colored -- is that ok with you? Are you going to see your diamond differently if there is a big difference? Will your GF? It can be hard to "unsee" what you see.