About fine silver A few weeks ago on Facebook I saw a post about the correct way to anneal fine silver. Being a professional jeweler, I answered with the comment that fine silver does not need annealing as it has no copper or other alloying metals in it and as such, can not work harden….
Tag: Information
What does a Jewelry Educator do?
Below is the description that I share to let people know what I do as a Jewelry Educator.I felt it might be wise to look at this statement, “deconstruct” it and expand on it so you can see my reasoning for writing what I did. it has a lot to talk about and even more…
Hooked fasteners made from wound wire
This style of hooked fastener was very popular during the early Tudor era. (1500 – 1575). As there is no soldering, it is a good first project for new jewelers. The process used here can be easily used to make other items.
You get what you pay for. (Or why appraisals are important)
“Can you tell me what this is worth?”
My standard answer is “It is worth what you paid for it. If you want a professional appraisal I charge $60 an hour, minimum two hours to evaluate and determine the value.”
“But I don’t want an appraisal, I only want you to tell me what it is worth.”
Safety in the Jewelry Shop
Before starting and sitting down at your bench or workspace look around. Just because everything seems ok at first glance, do not become compliant.
Unclaimed Property
There are very few things that can be said that are the same for every jewelry store out there, but one of them is that if you ask and dig around at the very back of the safe, you will find a box.
Shop Tips for Bench Jewelers
Every jeweler starts somewhere This page is where I will share information that I have learned over the years.
Artisans, the SCA, Regalia, and RFP’s
As an artisan, when asked to create a proposal for regalia, I normally have a conversation similar to the following.
Buying Scarcity
When I was in college taking an “Economics 101” class, I remember having this one point hammered over and over again: “The law of supply and demand states that a low supply and high demand for any product or service will typically increase its price”. That brings me to the title of this post. “Buying Scarcity”. After some basic info, I will tie it into the jewelry trade.
Practice makes perfect *, (* but only if you do it right.)
This old vaudeville joke about Carnegie Hall, which opened in 1891, has been around so long, that no one knows who first said it. Made famous by Jack Benny (1894-1974), the vaudeville, radio and television comedian, it is probably the most quoted guidance on the importance of practice in order to learn a skill.
This quote is about music and musicians, not jewelry, but it has become the default advice on how to learn just about anything.
Unfortunately, it is probably the worst advice you can give someone to help them master any skill.