Still doing lots of SRAJD work.
We (thanks to the help of one of our members) opened an SRAJD Yahoo Group. It’ll be for members only, but with over 2700 members to pool from it should be somewhat lively.
I’ve been having fun going through the list trying to correct email addies and update websites. For a few, it’s sad… they’ve fallen off the face of the jewelry world. But for others it’s really exciting to see them going stronger than ever before. And most of the members I contact are so incredibly nice. They understand that Alex and I do this because it’s something be believe in and it takes a lot of our time and effort just to keep the bare minimum of the group going. That’s why I’m always looking for ways to improve the website… and market the artists.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Did you know that for every pound of shrimp that is caught, four pounds of non-shrimp creatures are caught… and die?
EARRING TUTORIAL
Here’s a nice little tutorial with photos: Wire Wrapped Earrings
Looks like a great site with tons of useful info!
I don’t think this caption is overly funny, but I think the cat is TOTALLY adorable…
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
This video is hilarious (to me, anyway)… http://video.yahoo.com/network/100284668?v=3915121&l=3774740
GEMSTONE TREATMENT
Yeah, to further fuel my meticulous and overbearing desire for accurate disclosure in gemstones…
On May 13th of 2009, the AGTA (American Gem Trade Association) gave a press release:
“For many months there has been an industry-wide debate on the treatment of red feldspars in the andesine / labradorite varieties. There has been significant research done on this material and there is general agreement within the scientific community that a great deal of this material is treated.
What is also clear, from the body of research that has been done, is that there is currently no reliable methodology to prove treatment or to separate treated from certain natural red-colored material. Current research is underway to detect the differences in the treated and untreated material.
With consumer and buyer protection in mind, the AGTA will now require its members who sell or consign any red andesine-labradorite to disclose it as diffused material, and indicate this either in plain language or by use of the industry accepted code, “U”, for diffusion*. If it can be determined that the material is natural, as in the case of particular Oregon material; then it may be disclosed as untreated.
*Codes must appear in a column next to all gemstone descriptions, with a noticeable reference or label, at the bottom or back of invoices and memorandums. Codes and type of treatments must only be used as directed in the Gemstone Information Manual (GIM), 8th Edition, available from the AGTA.”
Some think it’s not enough… too much wriggle room. But something is better than nothing and it’s always a step in the right direction.
Well… time flew (yeah, I yapped with a few friends) and it’s time to go, so I’ll sign off now, but I’ll be back tomorrow.
TTYL!
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