[Jewelry making - Article 00123] - Re: [Orchid] Resurrecting old pearls

[Renaissancewiz]

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

Helen,

    I keep reading this thread, and I just see you digging yourself in
    deeper and deeper. At the risk of playing armchair psychologist, it
    seems that you're dealing with a woman who believes what she wants to
    believe. I'll bet that when you show her the process you went through
    to "restore" her "pearls", there is a very good chance that she is
    going to resent you for popping her bubble of fantasy, and I can't
    state this strongly enough: you will be blamed. It seems clear that
    you don't want to tell her the truth at this point, because she
    doesn't want to hear the truth. Believe me, she won't want to hear
    it later either. She will resent you for turning her real pearls into
    painted glass. 

    You said in an earlier post, that no matter what, she will believe
    that they are real pearls, and will wear them. 

    Now, if you're are certain that that is the case, and since you have
    already missed the chance to turn down the job in the first place, it
    seems to me that you have two choices: 

    You could show her the glass beads now, and tell her exactly what
    has happened, and show her your documented evidence. If you go
    further, with the painting project, it looks as if you're somehow
    covering up your own mistake, which you are not. 

    Option two is simply giving her what she wants. You could buy a
    bunch of cheap "pearls", same size, same amount, string them with
    your new hand made clasp, which will give her great bragging rights
    about her talented daughter-in-law. Now if you want to include some
    of Grandma's pearls in the new necklace, just for the sake of
    posterity (and ease your conscience a bit), you could possibly paint
    some of the original beads silver or some color, and insert them
    either next to the clasp, or incorporate them into the clasp. Your
    MIL will be pleased, but never be the wiser. You and your husband
    will have a nice family secret, and a bowl full of Grandma's glass
    beads, which you will always share a giggle about. 

    Full disclosure is absolutely the most important ethical quality a
    jeweler can and must have. But when we are dealing with relatives,
    and especially M'sIL-in-denial, you just have to do what you have to
    do. There are times when sparing someone's feelings is the most
    important thing. The rules don't always apply to all situations. 

    Consider the cost tuition. 

    I wish you the best, and do keep us informed. 

Tess

 
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________