[Jewelry making - Article 00009] - [Orchid] An Open Letter From a Diamond Setter

[Raffi Stepanian]

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Dear Reader at Ganoksin:

    I am a Diamond Setter that can set and recognize a wide variety of
    setting types. My specialty is pave with a strong aspiration to
    succeed in the work. Many people in the 47 street area know me and
    can recognize me. But the problem is that what they know about me is
    not what I am. What they know about me is what everybody else says.

    I can't find work nor does any body want to work with me because of
    what people say about me and others. So rumors have spread about me
    that has ultimately destroyed my reputation and not one person has
    stood up to defend me, knowing full well that I am a good diamond
    setter, not some butcher who thrives on deception. 

    My name has been very badly slandered by some extremely ruthless
    individuals who have the audacity to proclaim ownership in the
    industry. But they are liars and cheats that gave the meaning to the
    term "wheeler and dealer," long before I entered the industry in
    1984. 

    Yes, I have made some terrible mistakes both in my life and on the
    job. I also corrected them and understood the meaning of integrity
    with it's fullest application to my ability. No body cared about my
    improvement other than to bring up the rumors aside from the truth.
    But in no way do my mistakes give people the right to black list me,
    especially when they can't admit to the lies and the manipulative
    methodology they learned to apply to destroy peoples' lives. 

    You see, the difference is that I corrected my self, but they
    continue to be wheelers and dealers and destroyers of lives. So I'm
    placing my integrity in the hands of people who don't understand
    ethics. Yet they play power games and deny me my right to live a
    wholesome life with my livelyhood. Worse yet, they are much more
    guilty than I for duplicating the same actions they accuse me of. If
    I'm not there, how then can I be guilty? 

    If they took me out, how can I be guilty of what they say? Try to
    answer the questions? 

    So, here's the challenge I'm placing on this forum: help me to work
    and allow me the right to earn a living, because I have suffered a
    tremendous ammount of persecution over the past eight years from the
    rumors spread to my family that turned around and resented me,
    mainly because of the Armenian community on 47 Street, and also
    because my family is envious of my ability to perform in the
    "luxurious" art of diamond setting. Note the difference between the
    words "art" and "luxury." "Art" would apply to the setter who can
    perform with sincerity, thus the "artist." "Luxury" would apply to
    appeal of the observer. Depending on the mind set of the observer
    either word, "art" or "luxury" would have a different meaning. 

    1). So, give me a fair chance to prove that I can produce the
    product with the integrity of the art and give it the true meaning
    of luxurious as a setter to also prove that anyone who wants to
    black list me will not have justifyable ground to accuse me of their
    slander. 

    2). Let me challenge the big mouths to a session of diamond setting
    with as many witnesses as you like to compare the works. If what
    they say is true, they should have no problem with this challenge.
    And 

    3). Let's then see if what they so confidently say is true or not and
    who really has the right to be blacklisted, if what they so
    confidently say. Only then will we see the truth behind the reality.

    I love to work with people who have understanding. I enjoy being
    personable as is the natural thing to do as a human being. 

    Let me work with you and those who want to work with me and I'll
    make every moment worth your while. 

    If my art proves worthy, then they have no ground, but if I can't do
    exactly what I say then I have no ground. It's a very fair exchange
    (unlike 47Th Street). It's time to separate the artists from the
    butchers. Then let the forum decide. You be the judge(s). And I know
    I'll be healed from this pain. Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely Yours,
Raffi A, Stepanian -- Victim of complacency

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