[Jewelry making - Article 00008] - Re: [Orchid] Gemstone Treatments

[GGGemsWCR]

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    All, I will not get into a contest with Mr. Spiersomes or anyone else
    about my ability to read or to understand what I have read.  Suffice
    it to say that my education up to the bachelors level with several
    years of post graduate study indicates that my ability to read and
    understand what I have read is sufficient. 

    People that deal in products look for areas that they can exploit
    for maximum profit with the least of their own energy expended. 
    They also spend a lot of time looking for different ways to
    interpret written guidelines to their marketing advantage.  Treated
    corundum is only one example in the jewelry industry that falls into
    this category.  There are many more.  At issue is the question: Is
    it ethical to sell something that you have added no value to by
    raising the price of the item to near the price of a natural item? 
    Cutting of a gemstone is necessary to bring out the inherit sparkle
    and beauty of the stone.  Cutting will not make a murky, bad colored
    stone into a gemstone. Treatment makes a murky, bad colored stone
    into a gemstone.  In any gemstone deposit there are many more stones
    that will become gemstones by treatment than there are gemstones
    that do not need treatment. Corundum, quartz, topaz, beryl, and
    tourmaline are the most commonly treated gemstones. At issue is
    cost.  Why should a treated gemstone cost as much as a natural? 
    Untreated rough gemstones that are not gem quality are very
    inexpensive.  Gemstone rough that requires no treatment are very
    expensive.  Treatment of gemstones is not expensive in large
    quantities. Marketing is why treated gemstones are so expensive. I
    deal at the cutters level.  At my level there is very little value
    to a treated gemstone as compared to a natural gemstone. I will not
    pay near as much for treated rough as I will pay for natural. Our
    marketing system has conjured a price schedule that gives maximum
    profits to selling of treated gemstones at the expense of natural
    gemstones. To me it is unethical trading because the marketing
    misrepresents the value of the treated stone as compared to the
    value of the natural. 

    Make your own opinion.  Read, study, and learn.  At shows check the
    price of rough.  Learn how to grade rough.  Learn what the color of
    natural rough stones looks like. Ask the rough stone dealer if his
    rough has been heated, radiated, filled, colored, etc.  Compare the
    color of the rough to the color of finished gemstones.  Cutting can
    slightly change the perception of color to your eye.  Cutting will
    never change a murky, bad colored stone into a bright gemstone. 

    I am off to Tucson.  This will be my last post until Feb 18th or so.
     If you like my reasoning drop by my booth to say so.  If you do not
    like my reasoning, drop by my booth to say so.  If you only want to
    argue and do not want to pursue knowledge stay away. 

    Gerry Galarneau 
 

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