[Jewelry making - Article 00043] - Re: [Orchid] Light entering faceted stones

[David L. Huffman]

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>         Indeed, Jewelers of Amarica (JA) has set such standards and
>     administers a series of tests to judge the skill levels of th e
>     test taker. Wayne Emery 

    Hi Wayne; I agree that the JA's bench certification program is a
    welcome development for our industry.  It provides three things, I
    think; 

    1. The public has a way to determine if the jeweler they are
    thinking of having work on their jewelry or make jewelry for them can
    do a good job. 

    2. An employer has an idea of the skill level that he can expect in
    a certified jeweler. 

    3. The certified jeweler has a way of representing and verifying his
    skill level, and he has a credential he can advertise. 

    What I'd like to see is JA develop some guidelines as to what level
    of compensation a certified jeweler might be able to expect from an
    employer. Employers feel very threatened by jewelers being aware of
    what they can bargain for in the employment market.  (I've been told
    I would be fired for discussing wages with my fellow employees . . .
    I wonder how that would go over in an unemployment compensation
    hearing . . .).  It's taken me years to get an idea of what I can
    expect to be paid, and I'm now very forthright about sharing that
    information with my fellow jewelers, just as employers certainly
    discuss among themselves what they pay their jewelers.  The secrecy
    about wages among jewelers has contributed, in my opinion, to the pay
    of jewelers being among the lowest of the skilled trades and
    subsequently, we have a serious shortage of skilled jewelers.  Of
    course, the availability of inexpensive overseas labor markets has
    helped, as have immigrant populations who can be exploited here.  I
    wonder if JA would be supportive of national or even international
    unionization of jewelers. 

David L. Huffman

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