[Jewelry making - Article 00557] - Re: [Orchid] Asian Faceting Methods

[MillsGem]

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    Dear Gerry, At long last I can agree with nearly everything you have
    written in your latest epistle regarding foreign cutters. Anyone who
    thinks that the Asian cutters should be characterized as being
    backwards and sloppy is self deluded. They are the dominant players
    in the industry and they are very professional and competent. As for
    technology, I think it is important to recognize the fact that jamb
    peg faceting is still an important player in some countries. A good
    jamb peg cutter can cut circles around high tech cutters. The
    problem is that there are not many really good jamb peg cutters
    because it requires a great deal more skill and experience to be
    really good. One of the reasons that high tech machines are
    prevalent is that they are comparable to "paint by numbers"
    techniques. If you can master the manipulation of the indexing head
    and read a cutting diagram you can produce a perfectly cut gem. In
    other words, just about anybody can be trained to facet a gem with a
    modern machine, while very few people can truly master a jamb peg
    device without having exceptional aptitudes and experience. Today's
    postings on Orchid included an offering of the new book titled
    "Secrets of the Gem Trade" The author makes the contention that the
    jewelry business is roiled in a sea of change that will result in
    the demise of the conventional jewelry store. It is also apparently
    his contention that the antidote to this trend is the marketing of
    connoiseur gemstones. I heartily disagree with this in that it is my
    belief that custom jewelry is the way to go. By this I do not mean
    that one should burrow in on high ticket artsy fartsy exclusive
    creations. It is my belief that we should concentrate on product
    that is geared to the "holistic" needs of the customer. By this I
    mean that one should take into consideration the paramount need of
    the client to create something personal while at the same time one
    stears the product toward affordability. The connoiseur market is
    limited to fat pocketbooks and everyone wants to get in on the easy
    money high ticket trade. The industry is over supplied with mountains
    of look alike, shoddy and gimmicky merchandise. Much of it is doomed
    to self destruction after very little wear and some of it is made
    from paper thin gold and abrasive grade diamonds. My wife and I have
    noticed this same phenomenon in various department stores in their
    clothing departments. There are literally miles of racks of same-o
    same-o crap that is often falling apart before being worn and is
    totally lacking in style. This years' Christmas season was very
    different compared to previous years. Our case of cash and carry
    quality goods went unnoticed while our custom orders were rampant.
    It was a good season, but it was altogether a departure from the
    past. I am taking my cue from this experience and will now burrow in
    on customizing. Ron at Mills Gem, Los Osos, CA  

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