[Jewelry making - Article 00373] - Re: [Orchid] Gem education

[Dave Sebaste]

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>     what is the best way to educate oneself in the area of gems. 

    Hi Heidi, It is a lifelong quest for knowledge. It is kind of like
    computers... the more you learn, you realize how little you really
    know. ;) There is no way I'm aware of to get an "injection" of
    critical data to prepare you for a show by a certain date. 

    Collect and read as many books as you can, go to as many gem shows
    as you can, and ask lots of questions. A good reference is _Color
    Encyclopedia Of Gemstones_ by Joel Arem. ISBN 0-442-20333-0. There
    are also several decent "pocket references" you can actually take to
    shows with you in case you need to check something out. 

    Of course, none of this really speaks to evaluating the dollar value
    of a given stone. This knowledge will help you evaluate one stone
    versus another, but recognizing the "good deal" only comes with
    experience and awareness of market prices. Nothing benefits you more
    than establishing a trusting relationship with a reputable gem
    dealer. 

    Consider a subscription to Lapidary Journal... although it seems to
    have less about lapidary every year. Maybe they should rename it
    "Bead Journal with Some Jewelry Making and a Bit of Lapidary
    Occasionally Thrown In Magazine." There are also other magazines
    dedicated to gemstones and mineralogy, and they would probably be the
    best gauge of current market conditions and trends. 

    Hope this helps! 

Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans' Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave AT sebaste.com 
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com 

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