[Jewelry making - Article 00212] - Re: [Orchid] Self taught Vs Formal training

[Daniel Spirer]

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

>     Daniel Spirer seems to think that there is a big difference
>     between gem knowledge and metal/design knowledge. I disagree. In
>     both areas you can learn a lot from those who have gone before you
>     and you can distinguish yourself with your creativity. 

    I'm sorry, but there is nothing creative about gem stone knowledge.
    There are simply facts or misinformation. Each stone has it's own RI,
    SG, hardness, etc. There is no "creative" way to identify a colored
    stone, nor is there a "creative" way to grade a diamond (well some
    people think there is but then they are scam artists). On the other
    hand, there are 20 different ways you can hold your torch, multiple
    types of torches you can use, dozens of different types of hammers,
    burs, finishes you can achieve, ways to set stones, etc. I don't want
    to say that there is nothing to be gained by taking classes or
    reading books (I am avid reader of all things both jewelry related
    and not). I have paid for classes for all of my employees.
    Occasionally I have even taken them. However, what I see out there
    are a lot of people who want to be told exactly what to do by
    someone with more experience. How would anyone ever develop new
    techniques if they blindly follow the instructions of a teacher only?
    And what is wrong with learning by doing? Incidentally, in the early
    days of my store when I didn't know nearly as much as I do now, I
    didn't have customers unhappy with my repair work because I never
    screwed up the pieces. As I said, the fear of an unhappy customer can
    do more to make sure you produce a job right than anything else. And
    in the last 25 years I haven't had but a handful of unhappy customers
    (and those weren't due to workmanship). 

Daniel R. Spirer, G.G.
Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, LLC
1780 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02140
www.spirerjewelers.com

 
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________