How to Use a Loupe Jewelry Magnifier

Buying or selling jewelry is easier with the right equipment, and a loupe is nearly essential for close examination. Many people do not use a loupe because they do not know how. The loupe (pronounced loop) is a compact magnifier made just for jewelry. It is portable and pocket size, easily carried (and easily lost). A triplet loupe in 10x magnification is usually recommended for jewelry. A triplet loupe has three lenses to correct color and distortion, and a 10x loupe magnifies ten times the original size. It is sufficient for most jewelry use.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a jeweler's loupe
• reading ability
• practice

1. 
    
   See a ring up close with a loupe

   Hold the loupe between your thumb and forefinger, and put your middle finger through the "hole" of the cover. This gives you better control of the loupe.

2. Place the item you want to view in your other hand (usually left hand), and hold the loupe to your eye right at the eye or nearly touching your glasses.

3. 
    
   Check for metal marks and stone damage with a loupe

   Move the jewelry (or jewellery in Europe) in your hand to nearly touching the loupe. It will not be in focus until you get it very close to the loupe and your eye. Once it is in focus, you can move the jewelry to see the stones or different areas of a stone, any marks on the metal for identification, and flaws in the metal or the stones.
   
   A little practice and you will be able to handle the loupe like a jewelry professional.
   
   A loupe is essential for checking gemstones, flaws in diamonds or cracks in opals.

Tips & Warnings

• copyright 2009 Linda Richard
• We often write about buying and selling jewelry. See Resources below for more articles on jewelry subjects. Feel free to link to this article or send it to a friend.
• A loupe larger than 10x will not be any more helpful than a 10x magnification loupe.

Resources

• Identify Gold Jewelry by Marks
• Identify Silver Jewelry Content
• Sell Fine Jewelry: Tools to Buy
• Use a Gram Scale for Gold Jewelry
• Recognize Juliana Jewelry
• Buy Costume Jewelry for Investment and Fun
• Collect Christmas Tree Pins
• Identify Gold Filled and Gold Plated Jewelry

[ruf1950]

on 9/14/2009 Cool article on using a loupe jewelry magnifier. 5*'s

[bellerose]

on 9/13/2009 Great info. I sometimes wish I had one to look at marks on metal jewelry too. 5*

[kristara]

on 7/18/2009 Great info! 5*

[dorigillman]

on 7/12/2009 very interesting.

[nikki1]

on 7/12/2009 cool.