Dear all on Orchid
B"H Why is there a lack of ‘diamond setting’ in this
world-wide jewellery industry, as a whole? Yes, there are some books
on this topic, they are also some very reputable schools on the
Eastern Coast of the United States. But overall, there is a lack of
personal feeling in writing for this large community. I like to
infuse my writings and lectures, with some anecdotes and little
stories. No easy task, mind you ! I write for the beginners as well
as the professionals still at the bench. I have been enriched with
accolades and requests during the past three months on my writings.
I wish to thank you all ! It is very rewarding to see the personal
responses sent to my cyber-address gemz@ican.net asking me if I have
other “Orchidians”, I work for a living, give me time,
gotta make some shekels…:>) I have an idea… if a trade
organisation wishes to have me attend a workshop related
instructional demonstration, I will be more than happy to assist. I
will never say that I am the ultimate setting maven, but I am one who
has spent many years setting. During that time, I found ease in my
methods of setting stones and I wish to pass these methods unto the
jewellery community at large. One of my classmates came over and
thanked me for explaining a “channel-setting” technique. He found it
much easier than reading the very same topic in a book. There are
many of our peers teaching their craft so other tradespersons can
learn from them, Jurgen, David S. heck, if these students wish to
enter this wonderful creative trade, lets get out and help
them…Because when we are dead…its game over buddy!..do you all
agree?..Gerry!
Who wants to get stuck with responsibility for some Amateur so
called jewelers breaking of an expensive stone? Besides have you ever
tried to pry a setters secrets from him? I have known jewelers that
have had curtains around their bench to prevent people from seeing
how it is done. In my experience it is usually a special tool of
just a simple application to a difficult looking setting. The reason
for the hidden info is of coarse is to keep everyone from putting
them out of a job. as I see it… Ringman
Ringman, There definitely secretive people around who have a fear of
sharing However, here on Orchid, we have a community of
people who are very willing to share and experiences. A
prime example of a setter who goes the distance to educate and share
is Gerry from Toronto. He, more than anyone else, has
provided a wealth of on setting to the rest of us. I
would rather dismiss and forget about those with the curtains around
their benches. Joel
Joel Schwalb
@Joel_Schwalb
www.schwalbstudio.com
but how in blazes can a person in Denmark, Hawaii, or Queensland
Australia put ME out of business, this is so-o ludicrous in their
infantile way of thinking…“they”? some of my friends said these
exact words to me…“Gerry! why are you showing ‘them’ how to do
things? I wouldn’t and never would” he is a heavy machine grader
owner his loss, not mine…it is MY pleasure to assist anyone who
wants my help. story time here…I once worked at a jewellery factory
many years ago and the wax stone setter stopped working while I stood
beside him as I talked to his bench companion…he didn’t want me to
see how he was setting stones in wax…duh? now I teach the very same
discipline to others…:>) in our jewellery trade building sharing of
is that…we share easily, if anyone needs my
help I am there…we who share, are of a special breed" Gerry!
let me ask you, why would a jeweller who does not have the setters
specialised tools be trying to set expensive stones?? a qualified
setter has the proper tools, insight how to achieve the correct plan
of attack to set…e.g. Opals-Emeralds-??? have we not spent half of
our lives learning to not to break these delicate items??..:>)
I personally know how to solder, but won’t, then the jeweller should
not do the setting! plain and simple, I will pay him his price, to do
this kind of work, he also has to make a living, right? just my three
"Canadian" cents worth, “two” if you are American:>)
let me ask you, why would a jeweller who does not have the setters specialised tools be trying to set expensive stones??
Because that person isn’t a Jeweler, And it is amazing how many
people call themselves a" Jeweler" I know people that wire wrap and
have just enough skill to tack solder wire joints who call themselves
jewelers. I also know people who have 30+ years behind a bench that
have set, soldered, cast, carved waxes & repaired everything
imaginable who I consider jewelers. And there are people that excel
in certain areas such as setting or casting or torch work who are
just damn good at one thing and stick with it who are very valuable.
But as for the people with curtains around their benches - they got
it all figured out, there is not one thing you can show them that
will change the way they will do their job. Because they know the one
tool/trick the rest of us on the planet wont ever know except for
them.
As for the sharing of I believe it is in everybody’s
best interests to share what they know and be willing to learn just
as much for the better of the industry.
Anthony
Gerry, I hold to the same attitude as you on the sharing. I owe much
to a few “old-timer” who are long gone and deeply missed. All they
ever asked was that I pass on the skills and tricks they taught me.
Part of it was the joy of teaching another. Part of it was watching
the “student” come up with new ways of doing things. Part of it was
seeing the pride in craftsmanship continue. My reputation and skill
has only grown because of the sharing. I have met so many
interesting people who became friends and done some really
challenging work for them. The ones who stay behind their curtains
only rarely grow and sure seem lonely to me. I have a hunch our
Orchid family is not a lonely group of people. The more I give, the
more I get in return. It is about relationships, the money ends up
being secondary, yet it always comes along too.
Thanks.
Bill
..we share easily, if anyone needs my help I am there.....we who share, are of a special breed
Hello Gerry; Let me join those of us here on Orchid who applaud and
appreciate your generosity.
David L. Huffman
Because that person isn't a Jeweler, And it is amazing how many people call themselves a" Jeweler" I know people that wire wrap and have just enough skill to tack solder wire joints who call themselves jewelers.
Anthony, I am a goldsmith, a setter, a caster, a Graduate Gemologist.
I have a retail store. The public calls a person who sells jewelry a
“jeweler”. Dictionary calls a person who retails jewelry, a
“jeweler”. Language is used to convey concepts. If some one
wirewraps, and makes jewelry, as far as I am concerned if they say
they are a jeweler that does not bother me. It is not
misrepresentation. The term jeweler does not indicate to me that a
person has knowledge or skill. The reality is anyone can buy jewelery
wholesale, sell it and call themself a "jeweler. My job at my
business is to educate my customers as to what my skill and knowledge
is, and how they will benefit by doing business with me. I can not
care less what others call themselves. I am clear about who and what
I am, and my customers are clear after they receive service from me
as to what I am, not by a name, but by the results of what I agreed
to do, and if I met their expectation. Call me anything you want to
as long as you don’t call me late for dinner. Richard in snowy Denver
..we share easily, if anyone needs my help I am there.....we who share, are of a special breed
As a recipient of shared from the time I was a teenager
to the present, I would like to thank my mentors Sylvia Bennett and
Eleanor Wiley in California.
I must thank Orchid for putting me in touch with Gerry, the
Cyber-Setter! He is not only a wealth of but someone who
is truly passionate about his work and passionate about teaching.
Not only did I meet a new teacher in Canada but I made a new friend!
Thank you to Gerry, Sylvia, Eleanor and the many mentors out there
who have shared not only their time and but it’s their
passion that allows an art to be passed on from generation to
generation. Not only is continuing to design, create and have fun in
this industry important but the opportunity to mentor and volunteer
is as equally important so that I may be able to give back to the
community and industry as my mentors have done and in turn have
taught me.
Delane Cooper