[Jewelry making - Article 00658] - Re: [Orchid] A Jewelry Buyer's Guide

[Galarneau's]

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    All, I do not think it would be possible to come up with a
    standardized method of grading jewelry.  To me a much more
    reasonable approach would be to standardize the training and
    certification of gemcutters, casters, bench jewelers, wholesalers,
    and retailers.  Standardized education would give everyone a similar
    benchmark to start from.  After the initial certification an
    individual could exercise whatever artistic ability they chose.  If
    the individual strayed too far out of line everyone would readily
    notice that they were outside the boundaries of the normal
    education.  Of course this would mean that the hype and
    misinformation now marketed with jewelry would be illegal.  Also, an
    agency would have to exist to certify individuals, test them
    periodically, review training, settle disputes, monitor the market,
    and punish offenders.  Not an easy route to follow.  If I had my way
    a law would be passed concerning ethics.  In that law boundaries
    would be set on acceptable behaviors and products.  This will never
    happen because  there is too much money involved in the gray areas
    of jewelry and gemstone marketing.  In Las Vegas this year you will
    see millions of pieces of jewelry with exactly matched gemstones all
    selling as natural, untreated gemstones.  Ask any gemstone cutter to
    cut an exactly matched 5 stone set of any natural, untreated
    gemstone.  They will tell you it is almost impossible.  Yet in JCK
    there will be millions of pieces of jewelry made of perfectly
    matched natural, untreated stones.  Ethically, I say it is very
    untruthful.  What gives me the right to say that.  20+ years
    cutting, repairing, marketing and living with and increasing
    unethical market trying my best to stay ethical and make a living. 

Gerry Galarneau
www.galarneausgems.com

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