How To Cut Gemstones - Let's Get Loupey

[@tennpikr74]

Thanks for posting, i have been using a loupe for years i thought was good , i bought a belomo a few weeks ago and cant believe how much better it is. I entered a competition last year and missed making the cut by a few points because of scratches i didnt see but the judge did. Now i know why. Needless to say the old loupe will never be used again.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Many of the Australian faceting judges use Belomo loupes. Yep, a faceting judge will mark points down for scratches. If your submitting gems made of quartz best to try and polish with diamond on tin or copper. If you polish with those resin laps a good judge will also pick up on rounded facets. I was mentored by an Australian facing judge when I first learnt many years ago and they spot everything. I don't enter too many competitions, but I submitted a round brilliant in a national open comp last year it was the first time I could be bothered and won a "bronze medal", but lost a points on rounded facets because I used cerium. Got 3rd place in a state comp again this year. A special comp to test the abilities of entrants on faceting "fluorite" and got another 3rd place. Hard to get gold medals as these seasoned facetors cut all year round just for competitions alone. Personally, I prefer just to facet for enjoyment and elements of design. Cheers Cliff

[@gunslinger434]

This is great info that you share. I could have easily wasted money trying inferior loupes. Thanks Cliff! and thanks to Jaws for making me laugh out loud. Jaws does have a professional appearance while wearing his magnification visor!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Gun Slinger, I have to admit Jaws with the Opti Visor on gave me a chuckle while making this video. I've wasted money on cheap loupes and they are a waste of time.

[@lindaarchinal3126]

I don’t facet though I am an artist and love gems- your videos are so informative thank you. My husband is a veterinarian and he uses a loupe for examining pets ears for mites!

[@zerostudio-h8d]

Nice video sharing my friend 👍👍👍 i love gemstone

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you.

[@occhamite]

Good advice. I'd like to see a well-fitting, ergonomic carry case for the Belomo's; something that would not get in the way, but prevent contamination from dirt etc in the field. You might mention that to them. You might also mention in your video that the Belomo 10x, 15x, and 20x all have 1/4-wave anti-reflection coatings (hence the purple-green-yellow patina to the lenses), which for outdoor, and sometimes indoor, use is a desirable feature. I have an $85 Zeiss D40 10x coated Hastings Triplet, a $50 Nikon Hastings 10x, and the Belomo Hastings 10x you reviewed, which I paid less than $25 for. Just the Belomo would be fine; I don't need the others. The Belomo is definitely my favorite, having the largest diameter optics, anti-reflection coatings (unheard of for the low price), and appears to be as good optically as the others, all at a fraction of the price! (The Nikon optics are uncoated, but seem to render reds very slightly better under some types of light than even the Zeiss). I do find an old 16x Anco doublet with 18mm lens diameter useful for faceting. It's really just for close looks at meets. the image isn't as good as the Belomo 15x Hastings triplet, but the 18mm optics are easier to use.

[@supernatureza]

Good morning

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hello Alberto.

[@82566]

Informative and cute as can be( Jaws) new to channel @ beginners stage of learning I just ordered a Beloma loop

[@joann5157]

Very interesting video! Jaws "cameos" were precious!!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you Jo Ann.

[@johncrumpley8702]

Very informative video, Cliff. I've not used a Belomo loupe, but will have my order in before the day is over. Thanks!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi John, I would buy the 10x loupe. What type of loupe do you normally use? Cheers

[@johncrumpley8702]

Cliff, I do use a metal-framed, three lens 10x loupe. However, it has developed some sort of inclusion just off the center. Time for a change, and Belomo is the answer.

[@HonourEtVeritas]

G'day Cliff, thanks for this very informative video. We also use the Belomo 10x loupe at my lapidary club and it's a godsend for beginning facetors like myself. From your review I believe that the 15x could also be beneficial especially when checking meetpoints during the final polish, as I noticed that some of the points on the crown didn't truly meet with the table which weren't visible with the 10x. All in all a great product and a wonderful video. Cheers!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Luke, I noticed also that the 15x the table meets weren't spot on either. Goes to that extra magnification make a difference, Cheers

[@tamwolf20]

Hey Cliff thank you for sharing the info on Belamo! I will be ordering one for me. I love the meets on your work. Much love to Jaws. Wonderful video and I feel much more informed now. Oh and I am finally back to faceting! My hands are all healed up and I got full function back. Feels so good to be back faceting.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Tam, glad to hear that your hands have healed. Now you start creating some great looking gems. Happy faceting.

[@rodneydolman1]

Good video I wish I saw it before I bought one. I'll get it right next time

[@gemfaceter]

Thanks for the info I will be ordering one of their 10x loupes the one I have now is a very cheap model.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi RC, the 10x would be the best choice. Cheers

[@melodychest9020]

Good one and Jaws is just so cute; am sure he is an able assistant to your gem cutting! Looks like a good piece. Btw, is there any difference looking through one side to the other, or is it exactly the same? Cheers.

[@popsyoshi7790]

Very informative. Surely having both hands free are better for gem cutting?

[@robrabbit2773]

Jaws is hilarious 😄Thank you for this very useful info 👍

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Rob. Jaws made me laugh also. Cheers

[@Purserr]

Thanks for sharing these wonderful loupes. getting some for xmas gifts. :)

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks. Get the 10x loupe. It's a good all rounder.

[@davidkolompar1149]

Th you for video, definitely need one because Donegan #3 is not enough for small details

[@VintageTimeGems]

The 10x is a excellent choice, unless you are faceting 2 mm gems. Cheers

[@timsadventures9888]

Thanks Cliff, I will buy one, cheers Tim.

[@VintageTimeGems]

The 10x loupe is the best all rounder, but if your dealing with really tiny gems 15x would be the next best. Cheers

[@stephenarling1667]

Nice review of Belomo's excellent products. Have ever you used a stereo (dissecting or geologist's) microscope in your work? The Bausch & Lomb scopes from the 1960s and earlier are superb.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Stephen, no I've never used a stereo (dissecting or geologist's) microscope. I'll look it up. Cheers

[@izrysiran8294]

Cliff, it would be grateful if you could make a video to identify the quality of cut. thanks

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yes, that would make an interesting video.

[@miayamia4382]

Hello, is the Belomo 10x loupe aplanatic and achromatic? Description says its only achromatic....to check gems I think aplanatic properties are quite important.

[@hakancoskan5862]

Hocam yine çok faydali bilgiler paylasiyorsunu... sağolun varolun elinize sağlik ..saygılar 🤗

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you Hocam.

[@jjjnettie]

My other passion is astronomy so quality optics are essential. (My main imaging scope is a triplet) The main reason why the lens appears smaller in the loupes of higher magnification is because its been stopped down to correct the coma inherent to the outer edges of the lens. Much the same as you stop down a camera lens to make the image sharper. (you probably already knew that though)

[@VintageTimeGems]

I keep thinking it would also cost a lot more to make a larger high powered lens in triplet or quad that had a larger view of field? I may be wrong.

[@Kiettisak1911]

How about Belomo 10x triplet compare to Baush&lomb Hastings triplet? Thank you so much sir.

[@robertwilliamson922]

I have both of them and like them both. Difficult choice. But I do like my BelOMO 10X so much that I bought a second one for backup. My B & L Hastings Triplets are really nice also. But if I had to choose only one, it would be my BelOMO 10X triplet.

[@DavidLee-kk5fp]

ive sent an email got some rough for you.......sorry jaws that was not wuff!

[@wurth2041]

Im ready to purchase 1 for me another for a friend, thank you for the review... Maybe there is a way Belomostore provide us "DISCOUNT CODE" through your channel for new costumers ^^ Have no rush, worth a try, await for reply if you would please Thank you

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi, As mentioned in the video I'm not paid by Belomo and really wouldn't like to ask them for a discount code. The prices are very reasonable and the postage is free. Cheers

[@wurth2041]

@@VintageTimeGems Sweet, thanks for quick reply. Yeah it´s fine, cheers