GET EXPERIENCE USING A LOUPE

Everyone needs a loupe!

Loupe’s are so valuable for not only seeing inside of a diamond (to view clarity and inclusions), but to scrutinize your diamond for any damage, chips or cracks that may occur.

Plus, a loupe can help you spot worn prongs, flat prongs, cracked, broken, lifted prongs…

As seen here…

You’ll be able to tell if your gemstones are loose (using a loupe and tweezers), to see if your gold is pitted, or channels are breaking, uneven, unsecure.

It’s amazing what you’ll see once you magnify your jewelry and diamonds.

It can also Save your Stones!

Catching things early, before they happen (preventive medicine) is the best thing you can do for your jewelry and your pocketbook (it’s like maintenance on a car: A MUST-DO!)

But sadly, most people have a hard time using a loupe. It’s just so awkward and clumsy (especially if it’s their first time – they’ll hold the loupe at arms length and squint their eyes…)

And no matter how much one tries to teach them the proper way to hold a loupe, how to view their diamonds, it’s almost an impossible feat. It’s like doing a show-and-tell for brain surgery.

And it really is simple too…

But trying to coordinate both hands and eyes, to see what they need to see, is a juggling act indeed (which is why most of the time I just show them using a microscope instead).

So why is a Loupe so Difficult?

Because of the lack of experience and practice.

That’s all!

If you use a loupe often enough, practice holding it, viewing items at different angles and sides, really trying to observe all, you’ll get much better at it.

It’ll become second nature as to how far to hold the loupe from your eye and gaze into the wonder of the microscopic world.

It’s breath-taking.

So here’s How to use a Loupe:

1. Hold the loupe in your dominant hand, between the thumb and index finger. And if the loupe opens up and you can stick your finger through the case, do so, it makes gripping the loupe easier (see photo above).

2. Bring your hand with the loupe up to your dominant eye, and rest the knuckle of your thumb up against your cheek for stabilization. You’ll then be able to use your thumb as a hinge and tilt your hand up and down until you get the desired distance from your eye (or glasses) for viewing. It’s usually about an inch away.

3. Now with the other hand, bring the jewelry up to the lens until that’s about a 1/2″ – 1″ away. Move it carefully in and out until it comes into focus. Note that the girl in the photo is also using her pinky to hook onto the other loupe and hand for even more stabilization. This isn’t necessary and I don’t do that, but I have seen people that do.

4. Keep your body vertical, and don’t lean over your hands (it will cast a shadow over the pieces and make things harder and darker to see). Tilt back slightly to let more light in. The more light, the easier to see.

5. Whether you squint or close your other eye is up to you (non-dominant eye). Some do, some don’t. Do what feels comfortable with you. Just know that at first, using a loupe, your eyes may tire quickly until you get used to it.

6. Practice, practice, practice. The more you learn how, and where, to hold the loupe and your hands, the faster you’ll get at just bringing a loupe up and bringing everything into focus instantly.

7. Scope all of your diamonds, gems, and mountings well. From all sides, angles, upside down… Look for anything unusual, damage due to wear and tear. If you have any cause or concern, contact a local jewelry store for further investigation, advice or repairs

And what is the BEST Loupe to Buy?

10x loupes (the magnification used to grade diamonds), preferably a black loupe (so it doesn’t hinder or alter diamond color), lenses that are large enough to see through easily, and ones that don’t distort the object.

My Recommendation:

This BelOMO 10x jeweler’s triplet loupe:

It’s an ideal loupe that’s the best on the market. But if you want a cuter, lighter-weight loupe that you can hang from your neck, go for this Nikon 10x Jewelry Triplet Loupe (what I use on the sales floor).

And you can also go more X…

You can opt for a stronger magnification too. Instead of 10x, go for 20x or 30x loupe (which is great for weaker eyes). These really make everything large, a magnificent close-up, and it makes it great for viewing laser inscriptions on the side of your girdle too.
See ALL the different 10x jeweler’s loupes at Amazon HERE!

Cheers! :)