Identifying Watermarks

I have quite a few questions about this topic.

I'm reading, in both books and the net, that an alternative option to lighting is lighter fluid.

I'd like to know if lighter fluid will damage the gumming or coloration of a stamp.

And also, I'd like to know if there are preferable methods to figuring out the watermarks as well. Pros and cons and such.

Thank you so much!

Some Countries such as Great Britain and their Commonwealth countries can be seen by simply holding them up to a light and looking at them from an angle. Other Countries like the United States can be very difficult due to the position of the watermark on the Stamp itself. For this you will need Lighter Fluid or Watermark fluid, lighter fluid will not ruin or discolor stamps and many of the leading experts use lighter fluid (Ronsonol).

Thank you for the prompt response!

When using the lighter fluid, will a couple of drops do? And also are there any tips or tricks that I should know about?

Or more specifically, anything I definitely should NOT do?

With Lighter fluid I use a small finger bowl as the Lighter fluid evaporates, but there are small black trays that are called "Watermark trays" and the color Black helps bring out the Watermark so I would suggest checking a Stamp supply store or ebay for one. I think they run around $5-$10. With Stamp Tongs I dip the Stamp in the lighter fluid and then lay it on a black stock card rear to view. The amount of fluid needed is just enough to submerse the Stamp completely with a quick dunk.

Stallzer, I could hug you. You have been so helpful to me!