[Jewelry making - Article 00088] - Re: [Orchid] [2000] Tucson Gem Show

[MillsGem]

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    Daniel, I wouldn't argue the point that treatment can often be
    detected....my point is that it is increasingly difficult for
    the independent appraiser and/or jeweler to make that judgement
    call short of investing heavily in high tech equipment, spending
    excessive money on laboratory examination and /or delegating
    responsibility to others for documenting and validation. The
    future is a product of trends; if we are to plan ahead ,we have
    to make judgment calls about what is probably going to
    happen.Artificial enhancement and replication of gems has been a
    rapidly proliferating trend and, we are now on the threshold of
    perfecting imperfections so that the synthetic gem can be more
    readily confused with the natural. Behold, the age of the
    virtual gemstone ! 

    It is pointless for any of us to take a stand as to where the
    path leads, but it is essential that each of us be aware of what
    has and is taking place. Change is assured.  

    Beyond the foregoing considerations, I would call your attention
    to another trend which has taken firm foothold in Western
    Societies and that is the informalization of dress. If you look
    at the attire of our Silicon Valley techies, many of whom are
    millionaires, you would think that getting dressed at all is out
    the window ! How does this relate to our industry? To me it
    suggests that the world has become more democratic and
    homogenous and that class distinctions are no longer "de riguer"
    Flying business class is more a matter of comfort and self
    indulgence than it is a symbol of status otherwise those who use
    it would be wearing suits and ties. As a matter of fact, display
    of wealth is a mark of stupidity inasmuch as it makes you a
    target for assault. 

    As I see it, the indisputable role of the modern jeweler is that
    of creating objects which symbolize relationships which bind
    people together. Furthermore, because of that role, it behooves
    us to create things which identify the wearer as a person of
    good taste;it goes without saying that these objects must also
    give good value and long service. There is a suggestion that all
    of the foregoing considerations portend a diminished role for
    jewelry; no matter, if you do your job well you will probably
    thrive! Ron at Mills Gem, Los Osos, CA. 

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