Noel,
I believe Rhona meant that calsilica is *made* of stone, not that
it is natural product. But in any case, I think you could express
your views in a less offensive manner without diluting your
meaning, and I think it would be appropriate to do so (to be
blunt, also)
You are certainly entitled to your opinion. Having spent well in
excess of 30 years in the lapidary and custom jewelry trade, I am
acutely aware of the advantages of having a medium like Orchid
available as an educational tool, among other things. It is a
wonderful tool for the speedy dissemination of
Unfortunately, the medium has other characteristics, as well. Some
will use it in the way a lazy child uses a parent…as the quick
source to satisfy the lazy demand. Some parents will always
accommodate that child, and, IMO, are contributing to the lazy mind,
which expects others to always answer their question, and quickly. I
would suggest that there might be a lot more meaningful exchange of
erudition here if folks would accomplish a little research on there
own before fostering an opinion, that’s all. Doing otherwise simply
adds to the confusion of those who might be late to the conversation
(some of us have a life beyond Orchid, one which requires our
attention) or are truly wondering about the facts.
In the case of Calsilica (sic), a quick survey of published
via Google would reveal that The Lapidary Journal and
Gems & Gemology have de-bunked any theory of this materail being
natural some time ago. What else is there to say about it…that
because it might contain some natural substances there might be some
excuse to call it natural? This is nonsense; fallacious logic at its
worst, and should not be permitted to persist because it CAN BE
damaging. We are talking about science here, not popular opinion, and
I find it disheartening that the educational level of some who enter
this craft is not built on a firmer foundation of fact. Lacking that
education is not a personal shortcoming, but it is, nevertheless an
educational shortcoming. If you view accuracy and a lack of tolerance
towards the ongoing dilution of knowledge as “offensive”, I feel
sorry for you. I know that the world has become extremely liberal and
politically “correct” in the last 25 years. It’s a great loss, the
results of which can be seen all around us. Diminished test scores
all through our society, a generation self-centered beyond belief, a
growing tolerance for lifestyles that undermine the family and
society in general, a permissiveness that encourages zero personal
responsibility.
I’ll keep speaking out for the more conservative side, unpopular as
it may be. It took a lifetime, but, Noel, I am not responsible for
how others may “feel” about my statements. They may discard them, be
angry about them, laugh at them, or consider them seriously. I have
no control over how others choose to “feel”, and I have no
intention, now or in the future, to tolerate inaccurate and
misleading statements which might serve to further generate an
atmosphere of confusion when none should exist.
Fragile egos should be cautious when making inaccurate statements.
Wayne