[Jewelry making - Article 00436] - Re: [Orchid] Certified Bench Jeweler

[Jim Reitze]

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    With some of the pieces I have seen over my years in the trade, I
    have to agree, at least mostly, with the concept of certification. 
    So far, I haven't bothered, though I don't think I would have much
    trouble living up to those standards.  Perhaps I should, but then
    there are a lot of things in the category of  'perhaps I should'. 
    Some particular horror stories from over the years:  Cast silver
    rings that were cut off the tree and thrown in a tumbler for
    finishing.  Customer was wearing them with the sprues still sticking
    off the bottom of the shank.  Didn't have a clue.  But she got a
    'great deal' on them off a TV shopping network of something. 
    Already thin shanks filed so thin there was nothing left when sized
    (usually to something like a 13).  Shanks filed razor thin on one
    side, thick on the other. Sizing seams not even filed off, just
    buffed over.  Chain repairs where the solder glob doubled the weight
    of the piece.  Stones prong set without any real seat.  Just drop
    them in and bend the prong in the general direction. Great for
    snagging sweaters and stuff.  The list goes on and on and
    on........................ Perhaps we should be working toward a
    standards system like plumbers and electricians.  Big questions on
    who devises those standards, who tests them and how, etc., but the
    concept should be considered before the hack job folks create any
    more trouble for the skilled and responsible ones. 

Jim 
http://www.forrest-design.com


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