Ade Advanced Optics GL500 Gemstone Refractometer with LED Light – Professional Digital Gem Tester for Jewelry, Gemstone, Ruby, Jadeite, Sapphire, Diamond, Moissanite, and Lab Use

After getting some duds in this price range, I was pleased to get this refractometer. It gives a good clear reading and feels like a quality instrument. This style is easier for me to use on faceted gems than the more $ GIA model. You need to order the RI fluid separately (expect to spend around $80 for the good stuff). My only complaint is that you better have extra batteries on hand in case you accidently leave the internal light on (there is a side push button), as there is no way to use an external light source. And the directions for the batteries and battery compartment don't match this instrument, but you can easily figure it out. Other than that, this is great quality and value.

It seems that everyone’s experience buying this product is different. Mine came with a hard case but not a soft case and also i didn’t get any RI fluid which is pretty irritating because i can’t use it until i get the fluid. Also the shipping took a long time, and it was delayed on top of that.

Works great and is easy to read.

exactly as described. The light switch is in an inconvenient location that will cause the light to come on if unit stored on its' side in the carrying case. Best to remove the batteries as a precaution against drained batteries. The scale is a bit dim and tricky to read, but is not bad for the price.

What I liked about this product is that it feels very high quality it came from the United States. Oregon. It also came with an insightful Direction pamphlet and a refractive index chart thanks you guys

Let me get a couple of negatives out of the way up front. First, it takes three button style batteries, which are not included... no biggie, but these are not a type of battery I keep on hand or use for anything other equipment. Second, the bottle of refractive oil had seeped out into the case and the cap on the bottle had completely corroded. Thankfully, the refractor itself was enclosed in a zip-lock bag and wasn’t damaged. The description says it comes with both hard and soft cases, but I only received the hard case. The refractor has a nice solid feel, and if taken care of should be very durable. Operation is simple... no learning curve required. We compared the accuracy against a more expensive unit one of my relatives has, and the readings produced by the two units was very close. The refractor itself is a nice little unit for the price, as professional units will cost many times the price of this one... so this is a bargain.

Arrived in what looked like a good condition, it was packaged well. But the light doesn't work. Will have to return. The body appears to be metal, but the button for the light and inner mechanisms feel like cheap, not well fitting plastic.

I like this one. Better than my old one. Works well.