I have been asked many times for advice about becoming a professional jeweler. So here are my musings, thoughts, and opinions on how to become a professional jeweler. This might ramble a bit but I feel this all ties together.
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I have been seeing this ring image being shared around on the Internet and FaceBook recently and as a professional jeweler who studies historical jewelry manufacturing processes this item raises some red flags for me.
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Just because you are a master of your craft does not mean you can teach it. So tell me that teaching can be "one on one, a mentorship, providing a workshop for a particular skill, etc...". Yeah. Sure. But you still have not addressed the fact that most people do not know how to pass on knowledge in a teaching situation!
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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. Well. my opinion was summarily dismissed and the conversation went on with people, mostly hobbyists, either supporting or arguing against my claim. Being the type of personality that I am, I decided to get to the truth. So with several weeks of research, I have…
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"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."
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I have seen that many online educational videos tend to assume that you have some experience with bench work. Many also assume that you have access to tools. Lots of tools. Very expensive tools. This was a pet peeve of mine when I was just starting in the 80's and it seems that nothing has really changed.
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A great example of how things change. Look at your engagement or wedding ring. Is it a Tiffany style solitaire? If so, I have some trivia for you.
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As an artisan, when asked to create a proposal for regalia, I normally have a conversation similar to the following.
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Now I have nothing against selling jewelry. I did it for many years. I just do not want to mislead others into thinking that they cannot adequately clean their own jewelry, and I do not like using gimmicks to get you back into a store to sell you something.
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I have no “artistic ability“. But I do not care about that. I have plenty of “creative ability”. I would prefer to have both.