How Do You Use A Loupe When Buying Vinyl Records?
A loupe is a monocle-like magnifying glass commonly used by jewelers for a general inspection of precious gems and by photographers for inspecting slides on a light table. A loupe can also be used for a detailed inspection of vinyl records before buying. The magnification of a loupe typically ranges from 10x to 30x, which makes it an ideal tool for inspecting vinyl records before buying and adding to a collection. Use the loupe to look for imperfections both as a guide to determining the value of the record and as a tool for haggling price with used record dealers. Step 1 Place the record on a flat, protected surface such as a clean, white cloth, with a good light source overhead. Step 2 Look through the narrow end of the loupe while holding it about an inch off the surface of the record to check for gouges, scratches and pit marks, which may resemble tiny craters. Step 3 Direct the beam of an LED flashlight at a 45-degree angle to the record surface while looking through the loupe to
