What loupe should I buy? And where?

[SMC]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the fine jewelry world and want to buy a loupe so I can look at the inclusions in my diamond. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive one that I can buy and a place I can get one from? Preferably online.

Thanks!

 

[Agneau]

I have recently had to educate myself about loupes because I needed a good quality one.
They can range in price a lot.

You can find really cheap ones on the internet (like $1-$10) which are fine for some people I guess. But if you want a quality loupe for the price I recommend the brand Belomo at 10x. In my opinion, you will want a 10x loupe for most of your gemstone viewing because a greater magnification is hard to focus with.

It took me a lot of digging to find out about that brand. It's a triplet and it uses quality optic lenses. If you ever looked through a cheap loupe and then used a Belomo you can tell the difference right away. Mine was about $30... I don't know if it's against the rules to link to an outside site, but you can Google Belomo 10x and you will find some suppliers and reviews.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I just bought a cheap one off of eBay or Amazon. It was $3 or so. It works fine for my purposes. I have also gotten free ones with diamond purchases. My advice is to start. Check and see if that is all you need.

 

[HopeDream]

I got mine, at my college's bookstore. I got it for geology class to look at striations in plagioclase, and now I use it for diamonds.

I strongly recommend checking a college bookstore nearby - they buy in bulk and loupes can be bought in a range of prices and magnifications from $7-$50.

 

[SMC]

Thanks for all the advice! I ended up purchasing a $5 off Amazon as a "starter" loupe.

 

[wsblue430]

I had an inexpensive $5 loup and it never allowed me to really see the stone. Now I own a Belomo loupe (recommended her on PS) and its absolutely amazing! I purchased it online, I would look into this one!
Here is the link: http://www.geo-tools.com/lens.htm its $27.25, cheaper than Amazon.

edit: just saw you purchased one! Hope it works well for you

 

[pinkjewel]

I had an inexpensive $5 loup and it never allowed me to really see the stone. Now I own a Belomo loupe (recommended her on PS) and its absolutely amazing! I purchased it online, I would look into this one!
Here is the link: http://www.geo-tools.com/lens.htm its $27.25, cheaper than Amazon.

edit: just saw you purchased one! Hope it works well for you

I also bought this one from the same vendor- great loupe!!!! If the OP isn't happy with the one purchased, try this one.

 

[itzme]

Just curious, but I bought a 10x loupe that feels quite nice for about $12 on ebay, and I can see the stone with magnification but unable to locate the inscriptions on my stones (.3 cts). Is that normal or are you supposed to use one with larger magnification? I'm interested in buying this recommended one if I can see the inscriptions.

 

[Agneau]

Just curious, but I bought a 10x loupe that feels quite nice for about $12 on ebay, and I can see the stone with magnification but unable to locate the inscriptions on my stones (.3 cts). Is that normal or are you supposed to use one with larger magnification? I'm interested in buying this recommended one if I can see the inscriptions.

Loupes are tricky... some say they are 10x but really aren't. It depends on the quality of the loupe.
Either way, I think a *true* 20x or maybe even a 30x would be better. They will definitely take getting used to and they are hard to focus. You will need a good amount of light too.

 

[itzme]

Agneau, so given that I have this unknown quality 10x loupe, would it make more sense to buy another 10x belomo, or get a 20x? I'm pretty intrigued on getting a belomo after reading the reviews. I'm just a movie that wants to enjoy seeig the arrows on my stones and possibly the laser inscription. Don't mean to jack this thread, OP!... It's just a very similar topic and it seems pointless to start a whole new thread. If its preferred that I start my own thread I can definitely do that.

 

[new4diamond]

I would also consider an Idealscope 10X...sometimes you can see inclusions much better, at least I can...and H&A

 

[Agneau]

Agneau, so given that I have this unknown quality 10x loupe, would it make more sense to buy another 10x belomo, or get a 20x? I'm pretty intrigued on getting a belomo after reading the reviews. I'm just a movie that wants to enjoy seeig the arrows on my stones and possibly the laser inscription. Don't mean to jack this thread, OP!... It's just a very similar topic and it seems pointless to start a whole new thread. If its preferred that I start my own thread I can definitely do that.

Hmm, it's hard to say! I have never tried looking at a laser inscription... I wish I could help you more with that.
All I know is a 10x loupe is considered a staple and will probably get the most use out of it. I think that would be the first one I get (but of course it depends on the quality of the loupe you already have which is the dilemma!). The 20x will most likely be more of a special occasion use. One day I would like to get the 20x... Belomo makes a 20x too.

I found a couple threads for you:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/unable-to-see-laser-inscription-with-a-30x-loupe.114855/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/unable-to-see-laser-inscription-with-a-30x-loupe.114855/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/magnification-needed-to-see-laser-inscribed-girdle.119722/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/magnification-needed-to-see-laser-inscribed-girdle.119722/[/URL]

 

[heididdl]

I got my 10x and 30x from the local flea market $5.00 and I can see both the laser inscription on my studs with the 10x its on the girdle its actually cool

 

[Dancing Fire]

Just curious, but I bought a 10x loupe that feels quite nice for about $12 on ebay, and I can see the stone with magnification but unable to locate the inscriptions on my stones (.3 cts). Is that normal or are you supposed to use one with larger magnification? I'm interested in buying this recommended one if I can see the inscriptions.

at my age i'd need >30x..