You'll be getting rid of a problem, and helping less experienced and less well funded jewelers.
The way I got all of these stones was by buying them myself. I grew
my business by turning profits back into the business, by purchasing
in quantity when it was appropriate, selling the things I could,
hanging on to those I couldn’t. No one gave me anything, except for
advice from a few mentors, when I was starting out. I bought my own
tools as I could afford them, my own metal as I could afford that
and I learned how to sell what I made so that I could afford to buy
more. How exactly would I be helping you by just giving you a
handout? Sure I know that the government is giving them out all over,
but the fact of the matter is that necessity will be the best teacher
you ever had. If you need to eat, you find a way to make money. If
you need to grow your business you find a way to make more money to
do that. Handing over a bunch of stones to you because you don’t want
to learn the hard way doesn’t sit real well in my book. I’m perfectly
happy to offer you all the advice you want, but I still make money
off those stones indirectly and it’s far more valuable to me (and
ultimately to you) if I convert just one or two kids into gem
lovers. When I’m feeling charitable, I give to the NONPROFITS that
are worthy of my donations (and I have a long list of those that we
give to regularly).
Daniel R. Spirer, G.G.
Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, LLC