Magnification tools?

[jeremyslay]

I just wanted to ask what some of you are using for magnification tools while faceting?

I just got started faceting about a year ago and have so far just uses a x5 and x10 hand held loupe along with a cheep visor I picked up at Harbor freight. It is working but i would like to upgrade my visor to something better. After looking a few times I am just more confused on what I want and really need.

If anyone has any suggestions of what they like to use as far as power, brand, or where to buy It would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Jeremy

[brellan217]

I’ll tell you what I use. I only use a 10x loupe, and I only use that when my meet points are so close I need the extra magnification to make sure the meets are very precise. I tried a visor a while back, but found it to be bulky and not helpful. I no longer use it.

Oh, I also use the loupe when polishing to make sure all the scratches are out.

[Alan Balmer]

Probably the most popular wearable magnifier is the Optivisor. It’s good quality at a reasonable cost.
Optivisor at AmazonISOR-Headband-Magnifier/dp/B0068OSIIS

[Si]

When rough cutting facets with 600 mesh I use a 3.5x Donnigan Optivisor. Depending on gem size (and material), leave the meets 0.5 to 2 mm gap.
When pre-polishing I add a 21x triplett loop with the Optivisor. Bring in the meets to 0.02 to 0.10 mm.
When polishing I use a Celestron digital microscope at 80x to 150x. Bring the meets in to within 10 to 20 µm.
I finish the meets to touching (approximately), by continuing with the polish,

after

the polish quality is satisfactory.

[Author]

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