Fire1981 Posted Friday at 03:44 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 03:44 AM Everyone should have one. The 30X really helps to ID AV,bubbles ,kiln brick and anneal fractures 🔥 RAR 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parmcat Posted Friday at 04:32 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 04:32 AM 46 minutes ago, Fire1981 said: Everyone should have one. The 30X really helps to ID AV,bubbles ,kiln brick and anneal fractures 🔥 RAR I bought a crafters lens with the light, but I will look for a loupe. Good info. There are also magnifying apps for your phone that are crazy good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad G. Posted Friday at 05:56 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 05:56 AM I buy mine at Harbor Freight, no need to go bigger in my opinion, just iding a marble, 10x shows just about everything. i have a glass 30x but i can't hold it hands free like a monocle and examine the mib 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted Friday at 11:30 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 11:30 AM I like a 10X too. I have stronger but haven't had it out in ages - they can be useful for diagnostic purposes, though. One of the key reasons people collect marbles is for their eye appeal, which is why Chuck Brandstetter once told me, "If you need magnification to see it, it may as well not be there". And I agree, whose going to go out of their way or pay extra to acquire a marble that "has AV" (or anything else), if they need a loupe to see it? Not me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted Friday at 03:36 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 03:36 PM Depending on your eyes - in good light, many folks don't need a loupe (or 10X) to see those features. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akroorka Posted Friday at 09:28 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 09:28 PM I still use loupes once in awhile. I have an old Bausch and Lomb. It is 8x with a screw in that pushes it to X18. @x18 it gets pretty shaky for me, then my eyes start bleeding (not really but it sure feels like it). I had to use the new desk mounted lighted magnifier that I recived for Fathers day to read the markings on it though. I do not use magnification often but it sure comes in handy when I get a sliver. Marble on!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted Friday at 09:56 PM Author Report Share Posted Friday at 09:56 PM Well good for you guys. I could care less about your negative responses about loupes and what Chuck said.I’m more curious and have fun looking in the Matrix and seeing what’s in there. I like looking at the Lash’s. It was really cool seeing AV on some of the Banana Pelt Cats Eyes I have.If you’re going to buy a Sparkler for $50.00 or more I think you would want to know it doesn’t have any anneal fractures. I can go on and on about the fun you can have with a loupe but I’m going to leave it that. If you want to have fun with a loupe buy one. If not then don’t buy one.🔥 Art. Close and lock this thread down RAR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted Saturday at 02:56 AM Author Report Share Posted Saturday at 02:56 AM One last thing. Loupes are awesome when it comes to determining if a marble has been polished. The surface glass will be really smooth. The seams and pontils will be smooth and lose their texture as well. The last thing are the Flea Bites. They will have a sharp edge around them and not have the irregularities around the edges that represent the impact that caused the chip🔥 RAR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted Saturday at 02:58 AM Author Report Share Posted Saturday at 02:58 AM Heads up Newbies…..buy a loupe and don’t get ripped off buying a nice looking marble that’s been polished 🔥 RAR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duotone Posted Saturday at 04:04 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 04:04 PM Interesting discussion. I imagine every collector has wanted to see a magnified view at some point. It's not necessarily about finding flaws but more about admiring these small objects in a more immersive way. It's pretty enjoyable sitting in a sunny window looking at marbles with a loupe. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted Saturday at 04:52 PM Author Report Share Posted Saturday at 04:52 PM Sorry I got pissy🔥 RAR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akroorka Posted Saturday at 10:13 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 10:13 PM 4 hours ago, Fire1981 said: Sorry I got pissy🔥 Yes a bit “pissy” but acceptable. I agree that a loupe is a thing to own when collecting or selling marbles. I looked with my loupe when I sold marbles--not so much anymore. Some of these Pelts with AV need a loupe to determine the colors involved with the AV. Old eyes need help, and I will always use a loupe. This is a great topic, and I think that we have all learned from it. "Eye appeal" is not always the function of buying a marble. Many collectors insist on a mint marble and a loupe will get you further than a simple ID under light. My wife purchased a few for me as a “present" at a marble show quite a few years back. I appreciated them as a "Present”, but they were polished Akro Popeyes.( yep, I told her and reported him) This was about 20 years ago. Marble—On!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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