A jewelers loupe is an important device if you’re a collector of any type of jewelry. If you’re an expert on jewelry and gemstones, a jeweler loupe can give you insights into the type of stone you’re working with. If you have no idea what a jeweler loupe is or what it does, thanks to Hollywood, you must have watched a gemstone collector look through a tiny glass lens to examine the stone. That small glass lens device is what is known as a jewelers loupe.
In essence, a jeweler loupe acts like a magnifying glass. So whether you’re a professional or amateur in jewelry and gemstone quality, a jeweler loupe is a really cool device to have around. As a professional, it can be used to tell between an original piece and a faux. It also shows when a stone has an excellent cut. Amateurs can use it to examine the difference between original stones and fakes and also differentiate between cuts.
Things to look out for when buying a jeweler loupe
While a jeweler loupe functions as a magnifying glass, there are intrinsic factors to consider that buy the perfect loupe.
Focal length
Think of the focal length of a glass as the distance between the object (gemstone) and the loupe. Ideally, a magnifying glass with a shorter focal length would magnify objects larger than one with a longer focal length. This is because a short focal length has a greater strength than a longer one. So when looking to buy a jeweler loupe, stick with the one with the shortest focal length for excellent magnification.
Field of view
When you look through a magnifying glass, the field of view is the total area that can be seen through the glass. In a jeweler loupe, you want the device to be able to focus on the intrinsic features of the object being observed. In other words, the magnifying strength should be increased and the field of view narrow to focus only on the part of the object to be examined. So, buy a jeweler loupe with a shorter field of view and great magnifying abilities.
Size and weight
Jewelers loupe are designed with a portable, compact design that makes it easy to handle. They are basically miniature magnifying lenses that would fit neatly into a pocket. When buying the loupe, try not to go for a size too large that’ll make handling difficult. Since you’ll be looking through the lens with one of your eyes, you’ll need a loupe with a size that can fit and be held between your forefinger and thumb.
The same applies for the weight. A heavy loupe is difficult to handle and manipulate. It’ll not allow you to properly focus and get a good look at the object. However, if you’re a beginner or amateur, handling may not come easy at first until you get used to it. This is enough reason to get a small size, lightweight loupe.
Conclusion
Jewelers loupe is the only effective way to observe jewelry and precious gemstones. A loupe is a magnifying glass that allows you to zoom into the object to identify cuts and check its authenticity. As a glass lens, when looking to buy a loupe, you have to ensure it delivers quality magnification abilities. You should be able to see the object and stay focused on it. You should also not buy a loupe that’s heavy on your fingers.
