[Jewelry making - Article 00140] - Re: [Orchid] Employment frustration

[Daniel Hamilton]

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

    I know that Im not a official bench jeweler yet, but I just had to
    add something. Just this year I have read in trade magazines and
    trade newspapers that there are not that many decent jewelers around,
    so with many jewelers only wanting to pay at the most $15 - $20
    dollars and hour. And thats usually without benefits! The mediocre
    wages and lack of benefits is listed as a big reason many quality
    bench jewelers go into business for themselves. What was JCKs average
    for bench jeweler this year?? Wasn't it less than $40k? Which is
    about what it has been for the last 5 or more years now? Please
    correct me if that's wrong, I don't have it with me right now. 

    Now from reading this, and by more than one author too, I would be
    prone to think that most employers are aware of this as well, and
    aware that any bench jewelers they employ, will more than likely
    leave at the drop of a hat for more money, or the chance to work on
    their own. I know I have heard more than one jeweler I know talk
    about how hard it is to keep a good jeweler around. Then again, the
    couple I know who have said this, dont want to pay much more than $10
    & $17 an hour, without benefits and not even paid holidays, sick days
    or vacation. They figure they dont get those as an owner, so why
    should anyone else. But that is just my own limited personal
    experience. I do know a couple that pay $20hr and up with full
    benefits, and they still lose a jeweler now and then to better
    offers. I guess it just comes down to having the right skills, and
    being in the right place at the right time. It truly baffles me how a
    store decides what a bench jeweler is worth. I would say if the store
    doesnt have one, and needs one, a decent bench man is worth plenty.
    But if you dont have many repairs, can outsource and you dont create
    jewelry in-house, then the greatest bench person in the world would
    probably not be worth much if anything at all. 

    One thing I know for sure. There are ways to make more money with
    less stress out there, and I have done a few. But I have never loved
    doing something as much as I love making jeweler, and the emotional
    high from the customer with a job well done. For years I was a
    hobbiest, but I have to say the best thing that came out of the
    accident that disabled me, is that it enabled me to chase a career
    as a jeweler. And so far I love it, even with all the ups and downs
    Ive experienced over the last couple years, and I wouldnt trade it
    for anything in the world.... Ok, thats not true, I know there are
    things out there that would make anyone set down the touch and visor,
    but realisticallly, I doubt there are any I have much of a shot for.
    But hey, Im still kickin' 2 bucks a week on lotto.. ya never know???
    ( even then Id still work at my bench)
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________