God Save the Queen, and so to our trades traditions

In the wake of the Royal wedding and all the surrounding hype, we had headlines around the world anouncing the death of a Terrorist.   

It seems everyone hopes that the wedding to Kate marked a new chapter for the young royals and for the monarchy.
The much speculated about dress turned out to be just as expected Beautiful.

Jewels and accessories,

The jewels were minimal and the tiara toned down as were the earrings. Pretty tiara.  Simple, elegant and it was most fitting.  The earrings were beautiful and a gift from her parents.
 The only other jewellery that was seen really were pearls. 

It seems as though even the royals have scaled down and don't really feel the need to be dripping in diamonds any longer to stand out.  They now opt for hats, shoes, and bags like the average fashion obsessed.  Mind you some of the hats did look rather puzzling and personally I could do with the same amount spent on a few diamonds.  One wouldn't wear the hat again.  

And it is in the wake of this that I came accross an article that was most disconcerting....


http://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/assay-office/news/save-the-hallmark!/

If you have read the article, give a few minutes to the following
and give the British government some much needed advice if you will.

http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/hallmarking/

unfortunately today is the last day but I hope it may reach one more person.

It is a good thing to relook at tradition, too make sure that what has become tradition is still right and fitting.  That it may still be the best procedure in the context of today, of times changing.  Times have certainly have changed from 700 years ago. 
Today my niece is ten and doing home work assignments online.
CAD and Rapid prototyping and more than ever before we rely on machines and computers.

Jewellery is one of the oldest occupations.  We have traditions.  A goldsmith doesnt make his own wedding ring.  And in that Jewellers seem quite a traditional tipe in some ways, we almost always have a thing for tradition, whatever it may be, there is always something.  It may be something sentimental or something with a history.   Funny that is.

A goldsmith forges not only a metal alloy but the elements - earth, fire, air and water.
It is from this molten mix of elements, that is poured from the crucible that we also hope  for a generous amount of  pride in craftmanship.   Those who still work at the bench handmaking and keeping the craft alive and all the secrets that we have discovered and then lost , until we may need them again, those are the ones in whose hands it rests.  Those who understand the dicipline of the bench.  Those who very graciously bow their heads at the bench, say nothing and forge on..  Because at a bench anything is possible.  This is the goldsmith.  Old School.     May we aim to work and live through our skill and teach as we were taught by our mentors. 

The old school rules still apply in this trade.


Even though it may be both shrinking and growing. Never before have people seen such a shift, seen so many businesses closing shop - friends and friends of friends, families that have reared their children in the trade, packing up. And moving on.  People in the trade want to get out the trade and as I look at the young expectant students that seem to believe they have a chance tomorrow going out in the trade.  I feel hopeful for them. 

Because now it is anyones game.  No longer do people really have trade professionals as they used to.  Anyone can become a diamond grader. 
Celebrities now design jewellery, beacuse they Love jewellery!!!
From Paris Hilton through to Ivanka Trump and Kim Kardashian.
Then there is Angelina Jolie that will do the same, with her name, but only if it is for a good cause.

So in this world of growning social networks, we  may realise that people are just people and that we would much rather support a green brand and a brand that is wanting and willing to supprot community growth and upliftment OR a FRIEND, or someone a FRIEND recommends or LIKES.

A friend remarked the other day, that he can achieve thicknesses of tinfoil - with jewellery on CAD and as we compete every day with China and India, who have now become bigger in the game than ever before - We have to - make tin Foil jewellery.

But somehow I have faith in the fact that People are people.  That you and I both just want what is fair.  Just like I want to pay a fair price for bread - you want a fair price for an engadgement ring.  Nothing elaborate.  Just a beautifully crafted handmade ring.

That when I make an agreement with you and you and I shake hands our word is our honour and this stands as a binding contract.

Things may have fallen appart for a while with all the technology and how the world is, but with social networkingg an even  bidorbuy having a rating system in which I may rate you  - the person I am buying from - others may or may not follow suit, so watch your step.  Because I have a right to buy, pay and have a service delivered.  If the service is not right or satisfactory, I am allowed to make my opinion pubic to help others from making the same mistake. 

Our trade has in this country unfortunately suffered for quite some time.  As people are not as educated as they once may have been.  Since we were a British colony, there are stil some lingering traditions.  The apprenticeship system fell through after the 94 elections but there is a movement that wants to rectify this.  How successful it might be may depend on the indiviuals who are chosen to participate, on both sides, the Master and Apprentice - now named the Learner - doing his or her learnership - for two years.

Gemmologists - which ones - where?  Even in some of our Gemological Labs there are very few.  This is a pity as we used to pride ourselves at being some of the top. 
South Africa was the wild west!
South Africa was a little mecca for Gemmologists -  Johannesburg, Rhodesia, Salsbury.  The heart of Africa. 
The majority of them (only a handfull) were trained both by the Gemological Institute of America as well as the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

Two schools at least.

I m busy with my second one and hope that I may follow in the footsteps of my Mentor. 

The hallmark is a dear friend of the gemmologist.  The Hallmark is a mark of pride.  It is assurance for the Brit that what he has bought is indeed what he has paid for. 
The piece is made by the goldsmith and sent for independant analasis to one of their assay offices, the metal is checked and hallmarked accordingly. 

Here in Africa we stamp our own.  You may as well stamp a 9ct 18ct and well carry on....
Who checks this?

Gemmologists?
Go find one...
A council of sorts?
You may if you belong to such association - get a little slap on the wrist with a warning to NOT do THAT again.

But very little consiquences will follow. 

I hope the British government listens to those that have delivered their statements on this issue and understand what value there may be in listening to those that are educated and experience in this trade. 

It is a great thing that social networking and the i- net allows us such a global voice.  I hope that those with integrity will speak up and make known that they still exist.