Jump to content

(I think) The best way to check rubies


Recommended Posts

So, I haven’t used film in over a decade. But when I did, I proofed my negatives on a light table. I have a battery powered portable one I have re-purposed for inspecting rubies and their bores. 

Any crack or spec of dirt is easily seen when back lit. Lighting from the top only, can hide cracks. Lighting through the stones makes any flaw easily apparent. 

No idea if these are still available but probably. It runs on batteries and has an A/C adapter. 
lD361E0BD-EA33-4231-BA95-DCD230A207E3.thumb.jpeg.918be6c89da741723e9854187959fe9d.jpeg

3CBCCA5C-1FE1-45F9-ADF0-9785B7A5E186.thumb.jpeg.1f7d5f1501fb7b25b5ad0ab6c1673ad1.jpeg

52299B14-1106-4130-BF2B-296C17BE1BC2.jpeg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use my smart phone or tablet.  Just find a white area and place the plate on it and use an eyeglass for closeup.  You can see the pixels but this is not too much of a problem.  I have also tried a daylight LED bulb with white paper over it but it was a bit too bright and didn't want my eyes damaged when using an eyeglass.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

Has anyone come up with some cheap and small (thin) backlight for jewel inspection? I still have this microscope that I only use for inspection purposes but if I found some backlight I could use with my newer sm-4tp I could sell this scope. I'd rather have some dedicated piece instead of phone display or such.

image.thumb.png.8463852a6f9e830f5c68b0f94a72194b.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, Malocchio said:

Has anyone come up with some cheap and small (thin) backlight for jewel inspection? I still have this microscope that I only use for inspection purposes but if I found some backlight I could use with my newer sm-4tp I could sell this scope. I'd rather have some dedicated piece instead of phone display or such.

image.thumb.png.8463852a6f9e830f5c68b0f94a72194b.png

I am thinking about getting one of these for this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BKSLZ27K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A3UR61Y1YXNUGU&psc=1

Tom

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the suggestions. I think penlight would be ok for inspecting but I'd also like something I can put the movement holder on top of when checking pallet lubrication. I might try putting something like a mirror under the movement next time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...
On 5/20/2023 at 7:01 AM, Malocchio said:

Thanks for the suggestions. I think penlight would be ok for inspecting but I'd also like something I can put the movement holder on top of when checking pallet lubrication. I might try putting something like a mirror under the movement next time.

I use a stereo microscope with light ring. When lubricating the pallet jewels, I sit the movement holder on a mirror and use an LED headlight shining down at an angle on the mirror, so that it reflects up through the movement.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • that band is old as stated, there is a kit that pops up from time to time on selling sites for the repair of these type bands, some of this type are adjustable on a few links, one adjustable type allows you to align the round opening in the expansion slit [like yours] with the rivet to separate, but if yours won't come out then the rivet head is too big and will have to be done with some rivet removal and replacement, I suppose if you could make/optain the correct rivets that one could alter the said band, the tops/caps do lift off after raising the tabs....  
    • This is a watch from a friend who sent it to a neighborhood watchmaker for a battery change. It came back with the watch stem in a ziplock bag and the dial skewed 20°. The watchmaker told him that the stem was faulty and the watch cannot be repaired. I opened up the watch and found that one dial foot was broken off and still stuck in the movement, while the other was bent until it was flat against the dial. The stem could be inserted but it couldn't be pulled out to quickset and time adjusting positions. I did a full disassemble, cleaned and oiled the movement. But when it put in the battery, the second hand runs super fast. Like it gains 30 mins every hour. Any advice on fixing this problem? TIA.
    • I determined that the balance staff is rotating, not the roller table, so my second attempt at riveting was unsuccessful. I have ordered a new balance staff and will take measurements when it arrives. The balance staff i originally ordered (and now reordered) was specified as: Replacement balance staff: (A. Schild Caliber 984 1002 1021 1124 Original Balance Staff Part 723) so it should be correct. Measurements: (see pic below for terminology) xxxyy is a place holder until the new balance staff arrives. Lower pivot: Old - .08 mm New - xxxyy Lower pivot to balance seat: Old - 1.53 mm New - xxxyy Roller shoulder: Old - .42 mm New - xxxyy Hub: Old - xxxyy New - xxxyy Balance shoulder: Old - .86 mm New - xxxyy Collet shoulder: Old - .56 mm New - xxxyy Upper pivot: Old - broken New - xxxyy
    • Hello and welcome from Leeds.  We're here to help. 
    • I was just about to adk that, probably they have unnecessary waiting lists to make their watches appear more exclusive than they actually are.
×
×
  • Create New...