Flashlight for identification purposes with battery.

Identification of minerals is all about observation. Much can be seen with the naked eye, but optical aids make this much more effective. A standard 10x magnifying jewelers loupe is indispensable for fine details. These can be made even better visible with a microscope in combination with a good light source. A bi-ocular zoom microscope with a magnification of 10x to 80x is most suitable. These are available in many variants and price ranges with or without built-in lighting. An external light source is especially convenient for large pieces. Fiber optic lighting is recommended. Here, 2 or 3 fiber optic bundles are connected to a light source. These beams can be bent in any position and the light released at the end is free of radiant heat, which is why it is called cold light. Because many crystals are transparent, lighting from below is also necessary. It makes the special world in the crystals more visible, which tells a lot about the inner structure and history of a crystal. With a microscope, so much more becomes visible that this is an indispensable tool for determining minerals. Invest in good optics and be careful with them. This pays for itself in the long run through more viewing pleasure and prevents upgrades because the cheap device did not meet expectations.