A Fully Proficient Gemological Microscope Buying Guide
ABSTRACT: If you are looking to buy gemological microscopes, there are certain things you have to consider before going out to the store and spend some bucks. These microscopes are special type of microscopes. Their every feature needs to be checked prior to buying.
Gemological microscopes are complex microscopes. They are primarily used for inspecting gemstones and sometimes, even the jewelry that they are attached to. It is then very necessary that these devices work very precisely and accurately. And much of that is because there is certainly no room for errors when observing samples as valuable as gemstones.
When buying gemological microscopes, here are the things you should consider:
1. What is the microscope’s maximum magnification level?
You would like to choose gemological microscopes of low power. Meaning, their total magnification range is not more than 100x. This would allow you of an optimum view of your sample at a considerable working distance. Also check the other objectives and eyepieces that can be used with the system. If they would be sufficient enough for your purpose, then it is safe to say that it is a good buy.
2. Is the gemological microscope equipped with the necessary holders?
Keep in mind that with gemological microscopes, you are going to have gemstones as a sample. Therefore, you should make sure that every gemstone of all size and cut the microscope can accommodate. More often than not, these microscopes are created with certain clips and holders to keep the gemstone in place. Look for the one that supports all type of cuts in the market, including the gemstones that haven’t been crafted yet.
3. Is it a stereomicroscope?
A stereomicroscope is a type of a microscope that is capable of seamlessly zooming in and out of a sample. This feature is very important, especially if you want to inspect the authenticity of a certain gemstone. The zooming capability of gemological microscopes should be continuous. Continuous zooming works similarly to the way of zooming seen in digital cameras.
4. What is the gemological microscope’s main light source?
The functionality of any microscope depends upon its light source. First and foremost, the gemological microscope you should buy must have a built-in light source. And ideally, it should be multiple. This means that the light source should be more than one. Bright field illumination is the most common type of light system used in microscopes. This one should do just fine. But the best one would be the type that also supports dark field illumination and an incident fluorescent lighting system. The fluorescent incident lighting system is perfect for inspecting the color and the clarity of diamonds, which are considered as one of the world’s precious gemstones.
5. What does the package contain?
Gemological microscopes usually come in one complete package. But you should check if it contains the necessary accessories such as the different gemstone holder, inclusion pointers, stage plates, immersion cells, proportion analyzers, diffusers, and polarizers. Depending upon how you are to use the gemological microscope, you might be needed all of these to perform a specific task. It will be very convenient for you if all the things you would require are already included, instead of finding a compatible accessory and buying it separately.
6. Is it very functional and easy to operate?
Whenever you can, try the microscope out prior to buying. If that is not possible, check if there is any warranty clause that would allow you to return the product after you have tested it. This way, you will be able to find the device that specifically answers to your very meticulous requirement. A quality gemological microscope is the one that can be upgraded, be equipped with a camera system, and be interfaced with a computer. The one with a tilting head with a rotating base won’t hurt either.
7. Is it affordable?
Before setting your sights on a certain device, make sure that you have defined your budget. A gemological microscope can be rather expensive, considering its complexity. On the average, these devices cost somewhere around $2,500 up. You might find something that’s priced lower than that. But if you want a quality device, you should be ready to shed some more bucks.
These are the seven questions you should answer before buying gemological microscopes. A gemological microscope is considered as a specialty microscope. And that means that they are best used for the particular purpose they are made for.
