peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Aug 29, 2015 8:55:29 GMT -5
problem is solved, thanks all
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Post by MrP on Aug 29, 2015 9:52:20 GMT -5
I have three largish cabs (maybe more) I'd like to get set in STERLING silver. Not in any kind of junk base metal or that electro process (forget the exact name but it's cheap & looks cheap). Not interested in wire wrap, which unfortunately also looks cheap to me now because of the large number of people working in junk wire. These are special stones that deserve to be in silver or gold and since the price of silver is in the toilet seems like I should be able to find someone who can do this job... Feel free to PM or post here for more info. WOW Thanks for the SLAP. I wouldn't settle with Cheap STERLING silver, if I were you. You need to go with gold to show that you have clASS.................................MrP
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Post by radio on Aug 29, 2015 15:08:32 GMT -5
I have three largish cabs (maybe more) I'd like to get set in STERLING silver. Not in any kind of junk base metal or that electro process (forget the exact name but it's cheap & looks cheap). Not interested in wire wrap, which unfortunately also looks cheap to me now because of the large number of people working in junk wire. These are special stones that deserve to be in silver or gold and since the price of silver is in the toilet seems like I should be able to find someone who can do this job... Feel free to PM or post here for more info. The majority of cost associated in setting a piece in sterling is the labor involved, not so much the materials. The actual cost of silver will be only a few dollars, but anyone worth their salt as a silversmith isn't going to work cheap. If they call themselves an "artist" and work in a "studio", expect to pay triple or more post a pic of the cabs with a size reference and we will know more
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Aug 29, 2015 18:19:02 GMT -5
I didn't mean it that way. Let's try it this way. I already have a guy I trust who does my 14 and 18 karat gold pieces. I don't have a silver guy. It used to be that silver workers were not difficult to find but they disappeared when the price of silver soared. At least around here. So I got the impression that the price of silver must have had something to do with it somehow? The gold guy is still here through all the metal price ups and downs, and I know his price doesn't move much with the market. The price is not going to be the deciding factor is what I meant to say. Don't try to save me money by offering me a wire wrap or a base metal piece. I've had a number of people do that, and I already have enough of those pieces, and I rarely wear them any more. I hope that is a more tactful way of phrasing it! In fact, I'll alter my first post. I wrote it before I had my first cup of coffee.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Aug 29, 2015 18:48:52 GMT -5
The majority of cost associated in setting a piece in sterling is the labor involved, not so much the materials. The actual cost of silver will be only a few dollars, but anyone worth their salt as a silversmith isn't going to work cheap. If they call themselves an "artist" and work in a "studio", expect to pay triple or more post a pic of the cabs with a size reference and we will know more OK, here's some pictures. Yes, my previous lady did have a studio, and she was an artist, so I understand her costs were higher than a hobbyist. That isn't the issue. Love her work but I've lost track of her. This is an example of her work although the pieces I want done are more masculine & be styled quite like this anyway. Anyway, here are the three cabs I'm thinking of having done. They are fine pieces but too casual for gold. I made the Amazonite, rattlehead made the Petoskey, and BikerRandy made the Regency Rose...some of you probably saw those on his Facebook. US quarter for size. OK, and here is an Ocean Jasper piece by the lady who used to live in Mandeville. It's pink and more girly but as long as I was taking photos anyway, I thought I would post a brag...I think she cut the stone too, but it's been awhile...I wasn't the cutter, wish I could say I was. Another thing I'll probably try is in the fall maybe go to the art shows and see if anyone remembers her.
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Post by radio on Aug 29, 2015 19:01:55 GMT -5
It used to be that silver workers were not difficult to find but they disappeared when the price of silver soared. At least around here. So I got the impression that the price of silver must have had something to do with it somehow? I doubt it was silver prices, but more likely older silversmiths retiring or moving locations, or possibly going bankrupt due to the lousy economy the last several years. No one seems to want to put in the effort do do it right these days, so the numbers of us who are active are steadily dwindling. I have had two apprentices in the last three years, both young men in their 20's and neither one had the patience to do the hand sanding, filing, fitting and steps it takes to make a high quality piece. Each one wanted to skip the tedious steps, take it to the buffer and put it out for sale looking like crap. Needless to say, they did not complete the apprenticeship! The same care has to be taken with silver as with gold which most people don't realize. Folks think because silver is so much cheaper that a silversmith is less skilled and not as worth as much as a goldsmith. The truth is, I had much rather work in gold than in silver as in many ways, it is easier to work with than silver! Obviously, the cost of the gold is the major portion of the price of a finished piece which is exactly opposite of silver which is labor cost. What I'm saying in a nutshell is because silver is relatively cheap at present, don't expect a talented silversmith to work for sweatshop rates or compete with the prices of Chinese import pieces. My shop is in Branson, Mo. which contrary to popular belief, is a tough town to make a living in because of ridiculous overhead costs.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Aug 29, 2015 19:06:23 GMT -5
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Aug 29, 2015 20:14:32 GMT -5
It used to be that silver workers were not difficult to find but they disappeared when the price of silver soared. At least around here. So I got the impression that the price of silver must have had something to do with it somehow? I doubt it was silver prices, but more likely older silversmiths retiring or moving locations, or possibly going bankrupt due to the lousy economy the last several years. No one seems to want to put in the effort do do it right these days, so the numbers of us who are active are steadily dwindling. I have had two apprentices in the last three years, both young men in their 20's and neither one had the patience to do the hand sanding, filing, fitting and steps it takes to make a high quality piece. Each one wanted to skip the tedious steps, take it to the buffer and put it out for sale looking like crap. Needless to say, they did not complete the apprenticeship! The same care has to be taken with silver as with gold which most people don't realize. Folks think because silver is so much cheaper that a silversmith is less skilled and not as worth as much as a goldsmith. The truth is, I had much rather work in gold than in silver as in many ways, it is easier to work with than silver! Obviously, the cost of the gold is the major portion of the price of a finished piece which is exactly opposite of silver which is labor cost. What I'm saying in a nutshell is because silver is relatively cheap at present, don't expect a talented silversmith to work for sweatshop rates or compete with the prices of Chinese import pieces. My shop is in Branson, Mo. which contrary to popular belief, is a tough town to make a living in because of ridiculous overhead costs. Yeah, I hear you on the overhead. Costs/rents have been ridiculous since Katrina...could be what happened to her. That fits what I'm seeing...the guy with gold and a storefront is accepted to charge a higher price because, whoo, it's gold. And gold is great for some things but I don't know about these more casual pieces...
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Aug 29, 2015 20:16:10 GMT -5
OK, I just took a look, and I see quite a few pendants in designs I like. I sent you a message in the form on your website. This may be the answer...Thanks!
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