10× loupe
Think of it as a strong magnifying glass. It helps you look. It does not name the stone by itself.
- Purpose
- A hand lens that shows the surface and larger inclusions.
- How it works
- A 10× lens bends light so small features look larger. It does not measure refractive index.
- How to use it
- Clean the stone and the lens. Hold both steady against your hand. Use daylight or a small lamp.
- What it detects
- Chips, scratches, facet junctions, and inclusions large enough to see at 10×.
- Example
- Curved growth bands in a red stone are a reason to suspect flame-fusion synthetic corundum, not a finished identification.
- Safety
- Do not press the lens into the stone. A loupe is not a laboratory report.