How to use a Jewelery Loupe or Magnifier?

All right, let’s get down to jewelry business. You are examining a gemstone that interests you for flaws and in doing so you need to use an instrument called a Jewelry Loupe. Now don’t let names baffle you; a jewelry loupe is simply a magnifying lens. You will, according to guidelines, need a 10x Jewelry loupe, preferably one with a black housing around the glass part so you can see the colors of the gemstone more clearly. Here’s how you use it:

1. Hold the jewelry loupe between the thumb and index finger of one hand and the stone in a similar way in the other hand.
2. Bring the hands close together until the lower portions of the palms are against each other.
3. Now bring your hands steadily close to your nose and place them as close to the eye as possible. You look at the gemstone with just one eye. If you wear glasses, do not take them off.
4. It is very important at this moment to get your hands steady. Take the support of a table with your elbows if you need to.
5. The distance between the gemstone and the loupe and the loupe and your eye should be around an inch. Focusing with a 10x lens can be difficult early on. But you will get used to it. Practice it with other minute objects for a few minutes.
6. Now come to the stone. Tilt it up and down, turn it around – play with it. Keep focusing on the stone and its various facets and depths. Look at it from every possible angle.

Learning how to use a jewelry loupe and getting used to it is just a matter of a few minutes. Any way, if you are having problems or are not sure about what you are doing ask a knowledgeable jeweler to assist you; he should be happy to help you out.