Should I be able to see signature & AGS inscription?

[lovlea1]

I just received my finished e ring. I am very excited It is very sparkly. Not a technical term but I'm a newbie.

I looked at it under an 8X loupe, the only one I have. I've read on PS that it is sometimes under a prong but it was set by one of their people so I doubt they would do that.

 

[lovlea1]

By the way it's a BG H&A signature with AGS inscription. I want to know where & how to see it in case of getting it cleaned or repaired.

 

[Circe]

I wouldn't bet on finding the inscription with an 8x loupe ... it's tough with a 10x, frankly. It might or might not be under a prong (I think arrow alignment and/or inclusion concealment tend to matter more, unless you specify otherwise), but first off, I'd get access to a stronger loupe. 10x, you should be able to see it, if not necessarily clearly, if your eyes are good: 20x or 30x, definitely.

 

[lovlea1]

Thanks Circe. Does one buy a loupe at a jeweler? Mine is my fiancees one for photos

 

[yssie]

Also depends on how big your stone is and how thick the girdle is?

I could find my GIA inscription on my old 2ct w/ slthk girdle w/ a 10x easily enough (one of the few times myopia is useful!). I can just make it out w/ a 10x on my current 2.7 med girdle (as measured by GIA). On my 0.4s.. would need much more magnification to begin to find it.

ETA: loupe: an ebay cheapie w/ minimal distortion compensation will get the job done, but I would invest in something more lasting (and less likely to give you headaches after prolonged use) http://www.datlas.com/tools.htm
video on how to use a loupe from Wink: http://www.screencast.com/users/WinkJones/folders/Educational%20videos/media/65464b5c-f0a7-40fc-868f-bab1eed6edb9

 

[lovlea1]

Yssie, thanks. Great info! Do you recommend just getting the 30X loupe? It is the same price as the 10X & 20X. That makes sense to me but maybe there's something I don't know.

 

[slg47]

I can see my inscription with the naked eye (but no, I cannot read it!)

 

[Amys Bling]

I can see my inscription with the naked eye (but no, I cannot read it!)

wow, I have to have the store put the stone under the microscope lens and even then I have issues reading it clearly!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Yssie, thanks. Great info! Do you recommend just getting the 30X loupe? It is the same price as the 10X & 20X. That makes sense to me but maybe there's something I don't know.

i need at least 30X.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I can see my inscription with the naked eye (but no, I cannot read it!)

BULL...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

On my 0.4s.. would need much more magnification to begin to find it.

I couldn't find the inscriptions on my .41s. I do have two loops though, so maybe I should try both under different lightings.

 

[slg47]

I can see my inscription with the naked eye (but no, I cannot read it!)

BULL...

no, really, I can see this like faint white thing that IS the inscription. I can't read it at all though. but I can see that it is there. It looks like this little white line on the girdle.

 

[Dancing Fire]

i use the 40X lens on my microscope.

 

[yssie]

Yssie, thanks. Great info! Do you recommend just getting the 30X loupe? It is the same price as the 10X & 20X. That makes sense to me but maybe there's something I don't know.

Honestly.. I would get the 10, or maybe a 15 if seeing the inscription clearly is very important to you. As magnification increases so does distortion (unless you invest in expensive equipment), and it becomes difficult to use - a very small focus margin. If you're looking to spend $100+ then definitely look into higher magnification, but don't expect much of a $25 30x lens I'm afraid!

 

[lovlea1]

Thanks Yssie,

So the ones on the D Atlas link you sent me are only $14 for the 10X, 20X & 30X so I guess they are cheap so I should just get the 10X to avoid distortion. As long as I can read the signature I guess that is enough. I think my eyesight is quite good. I don't need glasses or contacts to see everyday things or read or drive.