purchasing a jewelers loupe

[allygirl]

I am now tryiing to purchase a loupe so that if /when I order the diamond on line, I can then look at it when it is shipped to me.

What magnification should I purchase and how much should I expect to pay? Also, would you purchase on EBAY?

There are 10 , 12 , 20 , 30 and then there are some that have multiple lenses on them.

Which to choose?

 

[jaz464]

I would go with 20x. Ebay is a good place to look. I got mine from here:

http://www.kassoy.com/

 

[C Smith]

Diamonds are properly graded at 10x with a fully corrected loupe. A 10x triplet is never a bad choice.I'd say it's the best choice. Most high X loupes will present you with a distorted image of the stone. That's why you want a "fully corrected" triplet loupe that eliminates the spherical and chromatic distortions. Kassoy does offer quality products.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I ordered a 10x loupe on ebay.

 

[DiamondExpert]

I''d stay with a 10x and 20.5 - 21mm diam. fully corrected loupe. You might ask your vendor if they would include one (without charge or for a small fee) with your stone. Also ask for something to hold the stone with, like one of those plunger action, wire, claw-shaped thingies and a cleaning cloth...it shouldn''t break their budget.

Remember, it''s not easy to use a loupe well until you''ve had a bit of practice, and then, largely because you won''t have darkfield illumination conditions, you will be seeing mainly reflected light. The inclusions may be very difficult to see if small, and because diamonds attract dust and grease easily.

Good luck!

 

[allygirl]

What I mainly want the loupe for is to see the number inscribed on the table and/or girdle. I wonder if a vendor like GOG or Whiteflash would include one? I really want to purchase one quick so anyone that can give me any feedback. There seems to be controversy between 10 x and 20 x!!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/31/2006 8:58:25 AM
Author: allygirl

I wonder if a vendor like GOG or Whiteflash would include one?

You''ve asked about many stones, so I can''t recall off the top of my head if you considered any ACAs from Whiteflash.

If you have, and if you decide on one of those, you won''t need to purchase a loupe separately. ACAs come with a loupe, a "holder" like mentioned above with the claws, and it also comes with the H&A viewer.