ATG Blog Causing Talk in Africa!
Until late last month, January 2009, we did not know that anyone was reading the All That Glitters Blog. Though set up at the same time our website underwent an entire change in January 2006, we do not track the hits to our blog. Late in January, we received an email from one of our customers in California, who has made a few purchases of fine gemstones from us. His email has encouraged us, as for the first time, we knew that at least one person was reading our occasional comments - "...and even more importantly to congratulate you on your excellent blog site as well as the updates on many pertinent events occurring around the world and challenging the gemstone business. I read all of the information you publish on your updates as well as your blog; I wanted to make sure that you know I and hopefully others appreciate the work you do and your proven record of honesty and assuring what you have before you sell it. Keep these qualities up, as I am sure you will..."
During a conversation over dinner in Tucson with a person whom had been working for a gemstone/jewelry trade magazine, he too indicated that he followed our blog. More positive response and at least another person reading what can be a timely and costly undertaking for us to put comments into a blog, especially if only a few people do indeed read it!
Today, we have taken in a few phone calls and emails from Africa. Apparently the blog on the new find of what turned out to be Color Change Garnet, is causing talk and controversy in Africa, with people accusing others of having written the emails to All That Glitters. There has been accusations, even to the point where apparently there are rumors that the persons name, email address, and photos related to the find were displayed in the blog - All Untrue... Our goal for this article was to discuss what happens when a find of costly gem material is discovered; discuss the current situation; lament the fact that many of the miners will be taken advantage of; indicate how difficult it is to discuss rough, prices, etc. without seeing the material; the heartbreak and frustration of always hoping to see material after one hears that something interesting has been found, and never actually receiving anything; attempting to discuss Fair Trade Practices and the desire to send funds back to the person who supplied the rough and to the person who found it, if the price paid for the material ended up returning more in profit than expected; discussion of the frustration of not being able to be present to ID gem material, discuss fair prices, insure that no one is cheated along the way and most importantly, to build a business relationship and trust between individuals for future business.
For the Africans, it seems that my hopes to divulge this to the public has failed, due to the problems this is causing to individuals in that area of the world. Apparently, a big issue might have to do with the word "unlearned" that our contact used. Personally, I feel this is a great word and better than "ignorant", which has negative connotations, but means - "lacking knowledge". (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignorant) I am certainly ignorant or unlearned or lacking knowledge of the dangers of animals, insects, etc. when in the African bush. I have no issues with this word as it is an accurate description, because in that case, I am ignorant of the dangers or potential issues of being in the bush. That is why I would have to depend on others. In a similar way, those selling rough in the bush, would depend on me to not cheat them. They do not have the skills to determine what the material is - and even a gemologist in the bush without equipment could be guessing at times.
Though someone has identified a 'rock' as a particular mineral, the size, clarity, weight, orientation, cleavage, etc. has to be taken into account, if possible, to determine rough value - and that can be hard even for someone with decades of experience. To take offense at words such as unlearned, ignorant, etc. is a shame because it really shouldn't have the negative connotations that one might initially think. I am ignorant or unlearned about more things than I am even cognizant of! The person whose emails indicated that those finding rough are unlearned, is indeed accurate, and since he understands that, is trying to do his best to help them out also. Instead of those looking down on the writer of the emails, they should be thankful that there seems to be someone over there who understands the issues and is looking to correct them and do his best to help them, as well as himself.
As it is said, any news that keeps a business in the public's eye is good for business and controversy will certainly do that. It seems that miners/sellers of rough and others in Africa are checking into the All That Glitters website for prices, information, updates, etc. We welcome all those visiting, as that is why we started our website 10 years ago!
The blog that has caused talk and controversy is accurate and true, and will remain posted so people understand what it's original intent was meant to cause - thought, consideration of Fair Trade Practices and knowledge.
During a conversation over dinner in Tucson with a person whom had been working for a gemstone/jewelry trade magazine, he too indicated that he followed our blog. More positive response and at least another person reading what can be a timely and costly undertaking for us to put comments into a blog, especially if only a few people do indeed read it!
Today, we have taken in a few phone calls and emails from Africa. Apparently the blog on the new find of what turned out to be Color Change Garnet, is causing talk and controversy in Africa, with people accusing others of having written the emails to All That Glitters. There has been accusations, even to the point where apparently there are rumors that the persons name, email address, and photos related to the find were displayed in the blog - All Untrue... Our goal for this article was to discuss what happens when a find of costly gem material is discovered; discuss the current situation; lament the fact that many of the miners will be taken advantage of; indicate how difficult it is to discuss rough, prices, etc. without seeing the material; the heartbreak and frustration of always hoping to see material after one hears that something interesting has been found, and never actually receiving anything; attempting to discuss Fair Trade Practices and the desire to send funds back to the person who supplied the rough and to the person who found it, if the price paid for the material ended up returning more in profit than expected; discussion of the frustration of not being able to be present to ID gem material, discuss fair prices, insure that no one is cheated along the way and most importantly, to build a business relationship and trust between individuals for future business.
For the Africans, it seems that my hopes to divulge this to the public has failed, due to the problems this is causing to individuals in that area of the world. Apparently, a big issue might have to do with the word "unlearned" that our contact used. Personally, I feel this is a great word and better than "ignorant", which has negative connotations, but means - "lacking knowledge". (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignorant) I am certainly ignorant or unlearned or lacking knowledge of the dangers of animals, insects, etc. when in the African bush. I have no issues with this word as it is an accurate description, because in that case, I am ignorant of the dangers or potential issues of being in the bush. That is why I would have to depend on others. In a similar way, those selling rough in the bush, would depend on me to not cheat them. They do not have the skills to determine what the material is - and even a gemologist in the bush without equipment could be guessing at times.
Though someone has identified a 'rock' as a particular mineral, the size, clarity, weight, orientation, cleavage, etc. has to be taken into account, if possible, to determine rough value - and that can be hard even for someone with decades of experience. To take offense at words such as unlearned, ignorant, etc. is a shame because it really shouldn't have the negative connotations that one might initially think. I am ignorant or unlearned about more things than I am even cognizant of! The person whose emails indicated that those finding rough are unlearned, is indeed accurate, and since he understands that, is trying to do his best to help them out also. Instead of those looking down on the writer of the emails, they should be thankful that there seems to be someone over there who understands the issues and is looking to correct them and do his best to help them, as well as himself.
As it is said, any news that keeps a business in the public's eye is good for business and controversy will certainly do that. It seems that miners/sellers of rough and others in Africa are checking into the All That Glitters website for prices, information, updates, etc. We welcome all those visiting, as that is why we started our website 10 years ago!
The blog that has caused talk and controversy is accurate and true, and will remain posted so people understand what it's original intent was meant to cause - thought, consideration of Fair Trade Practices and knowledge.
posted by All That Glitters at 10:48 AM
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