I was wondering if anyone could recommend a loupe (i'd be interested in opinions and recommendations for the standard monocular and also the binocular visor type) and any particular type or model of locking tweezers? or are they all basically the same? also, where do you buy these types of items, especially online?
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:55 pm Posts: 179 Location: London, UK
I'm a HUGE fan of the Belomo loupes.
The company is partly owned by Zeiss who supply their optics, so you are getting an amazing piece of kit for the price. It's also large, chunky and black coated - all pluses in my book. It stands up well to being clunked against cliff-faces too
I have a personal hatred of locking tweezers - I've spent more time assuming the 'gemmologist's position' because of them than any other reason (even more than opening those dinky gem boxes - also designed to ping stones across the room). My favourites just have a groove that holds the girdle nicely.
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:27 pm Posts: 764 Location: Western NY
I generally dislike those locking tweezers. I've had to fix too many chipped culets & girdle edges because of them. The problem is that setting the little locking slide in place puts more pressure on the stone than on expects. I put those 3-prong, spring-loaded stone holders in the same category. No one is allowed to touch my stones with either device while I'm watching!
I encourage people to learn how to use non-locking tweezers. There is a learning curve which includes dropping plenty of stones (work over something soft), but in the end you'll develop a soft, confident touch. As you learn to use regular tweezers, you may be surprised how little pressure is needed to keep the stone in place.
I generally dislike those locking tweezers. I've had to fix too many chipped culets & girdle edges because of them. The problem is that setting the little locking slide in place puts more pressure on the stone than on expects. I put those 3-prong, spring-loaded stone holders in the same category. No one is allowed to touch my stones with either device while I'm watching!
I encourage people to learn how to use non-locking tweezers. There is a learning curve which includes dropping plenty of stones (work over something soft), but in the end you'll develop a soft, confident touch. As you learn to use regular tweezers, you may be surprised how little pressure is needed to keep the stone in place.
peter
What he said.
It doesn't take that long to develop good tweezer skills if you work at it, and nothing says "charge me a lot more" like poor tweezer skills at a gem show.
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:55 pm Posts: 179 Location: London, UK
Agree with both Lisa and pt.
I tend to carry my own tweezers if I know I'm going to be looking at stones (loupes live in all my bags so that is never an issue ) in case I get given the locking ones or worse the ones you use for beading. I know that stones are safe with MY tweezers and that I won't make a complete tit of myself (well not due to tweezer skills anyway).
The stone-holder things just make me wince - and aren't allowed near any of my stones!
Kerensky, any colour will do - current ones are silver having misplaced the black ones...
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:56 am Posts: 6461 Location: The frozen north prairie :-/
For those of us without a Foredom or a setting bur, Kruss offers a real nice one. I bought mine in Tucson last year. I can't find them on the website, though.
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Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:14 pm Posts: 1383 Location: Royal Oak, Michigan US
Hi Gongli, There are actually quite a few firms that offer a variety of tweezers. And, as you look through the following options, you may discover the same manufacturer and model listed for differing prices.
From Kassoy; this type has a Teflon coating on the point area for greater protection working with delicate gems. We used these when we had employees in our office as we occasionally inadvertently damaged a stone. However, we found the Teflon coating gradually wore away. http://www.kassoy.com/plastic-grip-tweezers.html
just a note about tweezers... if you plan on flying with them, the TSA will take them away if you have them in your carry on bag. Apparently you can hijack a plane with a good pair of tweezers.
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:56 am Posts: 6461 Location: The frozen north prairie :-/
The good folks at LAX were going to take away my prong-tightening pliers! Can you imagine how long it would take to adjust the jaws and try to unscrew just one nut with those things ! Guess they thought I might take apart the aircraft one bolt at a time.
_________________ IIJA Registered Gemologist GIA Graduate Gemologist
When I travel with tools, I always require private screening. That's not only because I don't want to be seen with gem tools, but also because in private they are usually much more reasonable than on the line.
Two things with TSA security - you are always entitled to a private screening, no questions asked, and you are never required to go through the full body scanner no matter how hard they steer you there. I've never done the body scanner - I just tell the person doing the herding that I'll take a pat-down and then they let me gather my stuff and head off. I'm one of those "get to the airport early" people, so I've got the time and am delighted to make the process cumbersome. Give me European screening any day. Much less intrusive and much more effective.
Lisa - who is flying from Vancouver to Arusha with no US stops! Yippee!
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