Buying new toys - ASET scope photography?

[gemmygemgem]

Hello all, new here and new to the world of expensive pieces of carbon. Not sure if it'll be transitionary for the special occasion or if it'd become a hobby, but I do tend to like to spend a bit of time at whatever I'm 'into' at the time.

I'm thinking of getting an ASET scope to get an idea of the stone I pick. The vendor doesn't have an ASET scope image of it, and as I see from some older threads around here, there's a healthy dose of suggestion that ASET images are unnecessary, period. Regardless, I'm still curious to peer through one and take a photo of the stone - in the name of research (fun). Question is, I see some blogs suggesting the handheld ~$50 ASET scope can't be photographed through due to the location of the lenses. I can't seem to find much talk about this otherwise... will anyone be able to let me know if it's possible to take photos through the ~$50 handheld ASET scope by holding a camera (phone or DSLR) against it?

Sites I have read:

Turning The $50 ASET Into The $1200 Version

How to Take Idealscope, ASET, and Hearts Images - Prosumer Diamonds

In the previous tutorial, we looked at how to take pictures of diamonds whether it was for aesthetics or for online assessment. I concluded that it was very difficult to take a picture that is good enough for the purpose of forming a valid assessment of a diamond’s light performance and optical...

www.prosumerdiamonds.com

Thank you

p.s. not the true purpose of this thread, but loupe reviews seem few and far between. Trying to decide between a new Belomo 10x or a second hand Nikon or Zeiss D40 for slightly more - in case anyone wanted to chip in.

 

[Karl_K]

Its a bit of a pain getting everything lined up but the handheld version can be used for photography.
Belomo 10x - surprising good for its price.
Nikon - small lens area but optics that are awesome.
Zeiss D40 - really depends on who you talk to, some love it and some dont.

 

[gemmygemgem]

Its a bit of a pain getting everything lined up but the handheld version can be used for photography.
Belomo 10x - surprising good for its price.
Nikon - small lens area but optics that are awesome.
Zeiss D40 - really depends on who you talk to, some love it and some dont.

Thanks. If it's doable, I think I could give it some patience and make it happen.

The softness on the edges of the Belomo annoyed me a bit in the samples here: https://forums.gemsociety.org/t/10x-loupe-check/534

May I ask the reason why there is such variance in terms of the D40? I'm erring towards either the Nikon or Zeiss for being only slightly more than the Belomo when purchased used.

 

[Karl_K]

I haven't used the d40 enough to have an opinion so this is hersay but I hear they are not as good as the older models and are made to a price point.
Others use them all the time and say they are fine.

 

[sledge]

I am not sure what you read previously, but I am of the opinion an ASET is very useful and maybe even “necessary” tool, especially for those with untrained eyes.

You have many factors to consider. Pure GIA gross rounding is a major one. Being shown diamonds in select & powerful lighting to make even the most flawed diamond look great. Using select color backgrounds to help mask flaws.

A jewelers job is simple, to sell you a product. They have bias. Selling is much easier if the buyer is uninformed and puts all their trust in their jeweler. The problem is not all jewelers are worthy of that trust, especially when they gain profit from decision steering. This is unfortunate because there are many great jewelers that don’t do that.

So my opinion is it’s safe to err on the side of caution. Arm yourself with as much knowledge, tools and science as possible and be okay with challenging the status quo. After all, it’s your bucks you are putting in peril. Buying a $50 handheld ASET scope and analyzing appropriately does a lot to improve your odds of finding a splendid diamond, for a very small monetary investment relative to your stone purchase. And since most local jewelers won’t have this advanced technology, it’s really up to you to deliver it. And it’s easy to bring when it can fit in your pants pocket.

As far as the loupes. The Belamo is about $35 new. The others around $90 new. You mentioned used. By chance does a single source have both used loupes? If so my suggestion would be to order a Belamo from Amazon along with some CZ’s so you have something to inspect. Then take to the place selling both used scopes and put your eyes to the test to determine which you like best.

Worst case, you hate the Belamo and use Amazon’s stupid easy return process to get your money back and buy the pre-loved scope that makes your heart patter.

 

[gemmygemgem]

The two pre-loved ones are indeed being sold by the same seller - just on a local second hand goods website. I don't think I'd get the Belamo and then potentially shop for a second hand Nikon/Zeiss even though it sounds like a good idea, since I probably only need 1 scope for now and if I got the Belamo plus Nikon/Zeiss then price would probably be similar to buying a Nikon/Zeiss new. The pre-loved ones are asking for US$65, I was thinking I'd be asking for US$50 or lower (not sure if there's much of a second hand market price for these). I might try and haggle a bit on the Nikon - seems universally loved except for the smaller field of view. I'm not in the states, and there's no free Amazon returns for me (there is free shipping through, provided I reach a particular invoice amount).

Great advice on the knowledge, and I completely agree. I've actually already purchased the diamond - it was through an online source, but the local jeweller who will be making the ring sourced it from the vendor directly rather than online. Finding it to be quite a stunner in terms of the fire and shine, but eager to look more into the stone just out of interest.

I'm actually surprised the jeweller themselves do not have an ASET scope though! Is this normal? They've made a bit of a name for themselves locally, so reasonably reputable.

Think I was reading a few old threads with replies posted by Garry H here. Other websites suggest the ideal scope gives just the same information for round solitaires. A particularly helpful series of videos on youtube by a Singaporean jeweller showed how much easier it is to spot the light reflections on ASET scope images compared with the ideal scope though - which led me to wanting to try my hand at one myself.

 

[Texas Leaguer]

@gemmygemgem ,
You have a great philosophy/approach toward this important purchase. You will find many kindred spirits in this community. (as you can probably tell from the members who have already responded).

So, I say, get ALL the tools (especially ASET). Make a study. And after you make an awesome purchase, stick around and share your acquired knowledge.

Good luck on your journey. You will find it fascinating, even if you do fall down a few rabbit holes along the way !

 

[gemmygemgem]

@gemmygemgem ,
You have a great philosophy/approach toward this important purchase. You will find many kindred spirits in this community. (as you can probably tell from the members who have already responded).

So, I say, get ALL the tools (especially ASET). Make a study. And after you make an awesome purchase, stick around and share your acquired knowledge.

Good luck on your journey. You will find it fascinating, even if you do fall down a few rabbit holes along the way !

Thank you very much, Texas Leaguer!

 

[yssie]

Get the Belomo. 10x triplet. I promise, a larger viewing depth is invaluable in terms of avoiding literal and figurative headaches. You don’t want to compromise on this for something as general-purpose as a loupe. And they’re very well made.

I’ve got a fancy loupe and three Belomos and I reach for a Belomo every time. No case but you don’t need one, the metal frame is tightly-hinged and indestructible.

 

[Karl_K]

I for myself would price simular go for the nikon unless I was looking at a lot of very large gemstones a lot..

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

You are better off with some Blu Tac or whatever the brand name of poster to wall goo is and a phone.

A video made by my alter ego

 

[Wink]

LOL, I was just getting to recommend getting your ASET from Garry Holloway, his stateside distributor is Old Miner on this forum. The ASET reveals a tremendous amount of relevant information about the light performance of your diamond.

Wink

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

LOL, I was just getting to recommend getting your ASET from Garry Holloway, his stateside distributor is Old Miner on this forum. The ASET reveals a tremendous amount of relevant information about the light performance of your diamond.

Wink

Thanks Wink And for everyone else in the rest of the world who have been unhappy about our decision last year to charge $80 for express shipping - when Covid meant some deliveries took more than a month - we are changing back to Australia Post at still a lot of money - but about half the express.

 

[bright&shiny]

You are better off with some Blu Tac or whatever the brand name of poster to wall goo is and a phone.

A video made by my alter ego

Love this video!

 

[gemmygemgem]

You are better off with some Blu Tac or whatever the brand name of poster to wall goo is and a phone.

A video made by my alter ego

I completely did not recognise you there! Did come across your video on my youtube search earlier. That's some impressive dressing up!

Been having a busy time looking at design inspiration and working with the jeweller on the design of the ring. I had also ended up placing an order (and since receiving) 2 Belomo scopes (10x for normal viewing and 20x just because I want to be able to see the GIA inscription). From a quick view, these scopes are very VERY easy to view with - much easier than the ones the jeweller had at the store. Build quality seems good, though I'm a little annoyed they put the scope in opposite directions for the two loupes which kind of annoys me.

Image below with the scope placed on the desk in the same direction (with the plastic grooves upwards - blue arrows), but with the Belomo logo one facing up, the other facing down. Can I loosen the screw in yellow to flip the scope around?



Now I'm just awaiting arrival of the ASET scope and a few bits and bobs, due in around a week (and the CAD drawing). I had ordered from D Atlas before I realised Garry H is the Mr. Garry Holloway who so helpfully came up with the HCA which gave me the final comfort to get the particular stone which I have gotten. Thank you @Garry H (Cut Nut)

 

[bright&shiny]

I love my Belomo 10x. It’s the best loupe I have (so far) and that’s saying a lot. DH specializes in optics

 

[Wink]

@gemmygemgem, It is nice to see someone come in, ask for advice, and then act upon it as fervently as you appear to be doing. I also applaud that you are working with a local jeweler. If he has a microscope, be sure to ask him if he will set the diamond up in the scope so that you can see the inscription in "REALLY BIG" view.

You will enjoy playing around with the microscope and seeing all that is revealed so quickly to you, long before you would have trained your eyes to see it with a loupe.

Speaking of training your eyes to see, please know that your visual palate will grow quickly as you use the tools you are receiving. Soon, you will be able to perceive areas of leakage with your eyes that might have taken months, or even years of viewing without the guidance of the tools.

Enjoy your journey.

Wink

 

[glitterata]

A few years ago I bought a cheap microscope that can attach to my laptop (on the recommendation of a friend from a silver collectors' group who uses his to look at hallmarks). It's really fun to look at gemstones and jewelry with. For example, here's the natural on the girdle of my grandmother's transition cut diamond from 1929--a bit of the surface of the original diamond crystal.