Hello,
I am just about to sign up to the GIA (GG) distance learning course - as much as I'd love to do the 'hands on' course, unfortunately my one year old cannot do without his mummy for six months!!
I have read lots of comments on several sites about how expensive their equipment is, but as a newbie I am not sure if trying to use equipment that is slightly different or a bit cheaper will work. An example is the dark field loupe (GIA travel pack of loupe, case, tweezers = $295) or the torch/attachment equipment (Gem-A $80).
It's difficult to know at this stage what difference it might make, as obviously, I don't know what the equipment is used for.
AM I better off looking around or buying the GIA recommended equipment. Do they teach specifically using only their equipment?
I was hoping that there might be someone who has taken the course and has hindsight could advise!!!!
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Hi Ellena and welcome to the forum.
I think it's important to get the best equipment that you can afford.
If you are starting out with the Diamond Course, you will eventually need:
Reliable magnification source. An excellent loupe can suffice.
Tweezers
UV light (long and short wave)
Overhead Diamond Grading Light
Eventually a microscope will be valuable, as will Master Diamonds for comparison.
The loupe that I use was made by GemologyPro. Before that I bought a Bauche and Lomb in college that I used for 25 years. Good equipment lasts forever; it's always money well spent.
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:47 pm Posts: 147 Location: Aiken SC
Welcome Ellena,
You are about to imbark on a exciting journey into the world of gems. Barbra's advice is right on. Get the best equipment you can afford. There are several avenues open to you. Used equipment is sometimes sold by former students and jewelry store owners.
GIA has a mentor program that hooks you up with a G.G. in your area. Also you can use GIA's equipment at traveling lab classes throughout the country. The GIA website has a list of where and when the classes are held.
Have fun in your studies
_________________ Michael Ph.D. C.G.A.
Aiken, SC
"The fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom" King Solomon
Joined: Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:16 am Posts: 305 Location: Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok
Get a good loupe as you will use it all the time. I suggest you try the Belomo model made in Belarus. They are available all over online, including eBay. In my opinion it is as good as a Bausch and Lomb for less money. It is a triplet and is corrected for spherical aberration and for chromatic aberration. The only warning is that you need to use loctite or epoxy on the screws or they will come loose.
Good luck on your journey- it will be a very good one I am sure! Gemology is a lot of fun and you will meet some very interesting people along the way who are passionate about stones.
_________________ Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. ~Mark Twain
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:39 pm Posts: 3528 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
I also like the Belomos. I have not compared them with the Bausch and Lomb, but they are drastically superior to "cheap" loupes that I've seen. The seller that I got my Belomo loupes from pre-secures the screws with Loctite before he sells them. http://www.amateurgeologist.com/
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