Juland Retro Vernier Caliper Copper Alloy Mini Brass Sliding Pocket Caliper Metal Double Scale for Measuring Gemstones and Jewelry Components Bead Wire Guitar Repair 80 mm /3.15"

I have to address this issue because 2 of the first 3 reviews provide the same incorrect information and the first one nearly caused me to pass this item up.When reading through quickly and not giving it too much thought the complaint about the gap between the caliper clamp edge and the first line seems to make sense. As I was scrolling through other options, I quickly noticed every single non-digital caliper was made this way. I then thought, I must be missing something, I am not “seeing” it correctly. As soon as I saw an image of a closed caliper, I saw the problem.Yes, there is a 2mm gap between the “clamp” edge and the first line of the ruler. However, there is also a 2mm gap between that edge and the line that is meant to mark your measurement. Using 2 engraved black lines, which nearly meet, to mark your measurement is much easier to read than attempting to use the clamp edge. Because these lines are engraved they chose to move everything down 2mm.The first engraved line is marked across the ruler, from left edge to right edge. This line should be seen as the “ruler” edge. Because the measurement line only meets this edge line when the caliper is fully closed, it indicates a measurement of “zero”. It should not be included when measuring an object.In my example photo, I measured a 6mm Swarovski Crystal Pearl. When reading the caliper correctly, the measurement line perfectly meets the 6th millimeter line on the left side of the ruler. I added all the above information to my photos, which will hopefully, make the explanation more clear.I absolutely love this little caliper. I have owned a digital for years, but it is excessively large for my purposes and completely drains costly coin batteries between uses. The battery cover utilizes tiny eyeglass screws, so removal after each use is not practical.I mainly purchased this caliper because my husband and I have stretched ears and have a slightly disorganized collection of various gauges. Our daughter is currently stretching, so her collection is even more confusing. I have always hated using the imperial measurement system, but really despise it for plugs. In the US, sizing is mainly labeled as fractions of an inch, but are made using millimeters. For this reason, the stated size and actual size of the jewelry, rarely match. Having a compact caliper that measures in millimeters and doesn’t require batteries is now an essential tool in my household.

It's accurate and easy to use. Not the highest quality alloy or finish, but for the price it's great. Would buy again.

Thr Juland Retro Vernier Caliper is easy to slide, and the measurement lines and numbers are very clear and easy to read. On other calipers the numbers are not engraved deep enough making them difficult to read. This one is perfect.

This little caliper really has helped with my jewelry designing. It’s nice and small but very very sturdy and well made. Took me a few tries to figure out where to start counting for millimeters - duh me - but it’s easy to use after I got the hang of it. Just be prepared for it to be small and the lines small.

De gran ayuda para medir las piedras, los alambres.

This is one of those standard cheap brass calipers that many people don't seem to know how to read.The scale is a vernier scale, for those who don't remember how to read one here's a refresher. You read the first line as your base measurement, as in the attached picture. 21mm is the base reading of the Canadian nickle, but the first line doesn't match up exactly with the 21mm mark. So, you look further down the scale, and the 2nd mark (first line at 21mm counts as 0) looks to line up almost exactly. So that makes your measurement 21.2mm - googling the diameter of a Canadian nickle - 21.2mm.As for the slide being loose - pull it out all the way and put a *slight* bend in it. Slide it back together and it'll stick.Is it perfect? No.Will it last forever? No.Is it good enough and accurate for what it is? Yes.You want better accuracy? Buy a micrometer.

This caliper is made in China where quality control often fails to meet reasonable expectations. I have sent it back. The two pieces come apart, not only by sliding one part out of the other, which is expected. But the narrow, dovetailed part that moves in a dovetail groove in the main part simply comes out of the groove because either the groove is too wide or the moving part is to narrow.

Knob is for pushing the sliding center piece. It does not turn so the 2 pieces fall apart all the time. Wanted to carry in pocket to hardware store without having it fall apart. Seemes very accurate +_ 0.3 mm visually. It will most likely not be used as it is always in 2 pieces.