[Jewelry making - Article 00075] - Re: [Orchid] Technology & Design

[coralnut]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========


    Amen, Kevin.  I agree with you completely.  This subject comes up
    periodically with my students, some of whom worry about learning all
    these 'hand techniques' only to be surpassed by some cad system
    somewhere.  I point out that when items are made by machine all the
    'mistakes' or human aspects are removed (unless the design calls for
    it) and the originality seems, as you say "lifeless".  Not that
    machines don't produce some nice things too, but I am perfectly
    willing to leave that kind of what they call "fine jewelry" to the
    big department stores and high class jewelry stores that have to
    triple or quadrupple the price of something just so they can pay
    their overhead.  When I charge a higher price for something it is
    because I did an especially good job on it and they are paying me
    for my crafting skill, originality and artistic abilities, not my
    intangible overhead. 

    I recently had a client that, when told the price of a piece, did a
    double take and suggested the price was a pretty steep.  I pointed
    out that ALL the stones were slected and cut by me and ALL were
    signed.  The piece was an original design and is (and will continue
    to be) one of a kind that is ALSO signed by me.  I suggested that, if
    he wanted a piece of nice expensive jewelry, copy 2031 of 50,000, he
    should visit his local jewelry counter and purchase one.  I reminded
    him that IF he should find a piece even similar to mine, he will pay
    at least double...probably triple.  He purchased my piece. 

    Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
    elegance IS FINE jewelry. dcdietz AT comcast.net


____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________