I've heard from fluffy. iareateacher is not her. That's all I can say besides that she is extremely busy right now working on other things. There is another board she posts on, but my old brain cannot think of it right now.
posted on July 19, 2004 04:24:29 PM new
Hi Cheryl,
If you have been reading gemmology texts you will know that I only gave the most basic explanation. Do you have Robert Webster's Book? I cannot think of the name right now but it will come to me. I had a copy on loan from the library for a year. Gemmology is the most fascinating subject ever. (and yes, I am completely unbiased in my opinion.)
I have read a lot of posts by Fluffy and I did not think that teacher could be one her alter egos in a million years.
Teacher, I am not sure what drove you to post that again. Are you feeling left out because the conversation moved on without you?
"I have now explained to you three times (which is twice more than I give most people) how Item Specifics will solve this problem when it is fully implemented."
That is great news! IF and WHEN ebay gets item specifics sorted out in the gem categories. Exactly how will that stop people from writing misleading and fraudulent auction titles? It may force them to list in the correct categories but it will not alter the auction title.
"It seems there is no reasoning with obstinate obtuseness, however... "
You really hit the nail on the head there!
Regards,
Adrian
Edited to add;
Please explain to me why the sellers of the genuine article should have to use up valuable title space with the words genuine or natural. I think it is far more appropriate for sellers of lab gems or coloured glass to be more accurate with their titles, using the words lab, created, glass etc. They are the ones who want potential customers to think that they will looking at an auction of the gemstone named in the title, when that is not the case at all.
I have not read Robert Webster's book. My brother has a vast library and I'll ask if he has it. Sounds like it is worth a read. I've been doing a lot of reading on orientalia lately. That's another fascinating area. I also love learning what each gem has stood for over time (i.e., healing properties, etc.). I'll take a genuine stone even with it's natural flaws over a perfect lab created one anyday!
posted on July 19, 2004 04:46:05 PM new
I agree with that about the gemstones. I would like to deal in them but can't afford it. So I will continue to use Rhinestone when I list rhinetones. color to be the true color of the rhinestone not a gemstone for color. There is no reason for sellers to list like that but then again if it brings them business so be it. Do you think eBay will impliment if I were to put Peridot colol in the title it will automatically go into gemstone? I also hate when fashion jewelry, that catagory I use for newer, and vintage, for 50's 60's, people put all their jewelry in Vintage when it isn't. It's getting tougher and tougher but maybe if eBay can do changes it will get easier.
I can relate to the vintage jewelry stuff. Some think that just because it has a vintage "look" that they should put it in the vintage category. That category is full of items that are brand spanking new. Hey, nothing wrong with rhinestones or crystals for that matter. I have plenty of both! If it sparkles, I've got it.
posted on July 19, 2004 05:12:58 PM new
Just wanted to comment on glass beads ...
Many of the color names, such as "amethyst" and "sapphire" and "ruby", are standard color names assigned by the manufacturer. Most bead buyers realize this, and generally know to search under "amethyst" instead of (or in addition to) "purple".
Because the names are assigned by the manufacturer, it would undoubtedly hurt sales if the seller were to change the beads' "official" name.
On my auctions, I always use "glass" in the title, in addition to the color name, to help prevent any misunderstandings, as well as to allow people looking for amethyst gemstones to eliminate the word "beads" from their search, if they want. For example, they can search under amethyst -glass if they prefer not to see glass items.
Just wanted to clarify why many bead sellers use gemstone color names.
posted on July 19, 2004 05:17:20 PM new
Libra,
I fully agree about liking sparkly things. I guess I wouldn't be in this game if I didn't. There is nothing wrong with rhinestones, crystals and lab gems. They just need to be accurately described. I love synthetic ruby and sapphire. Because I am a gemcutter, I can make the most amazing jewellery for my wife. Set my handcut lab gems in 9CT gold and Voila masterpiece. The great thing is that she could drop it down a drain and I would not care. It is just costume jewellery after all. Hand cut CZ's that are cut the exact same way as diamonds look a million dollars but cost pretty much only my time to make them. I have a good friend who had to get married at a time when he couldn't afford a diamond. So I sat down with him and his fiancee and we designed their wedding and engagement rings. I cut them a cz that was the same shape and style as the diamond they wanted and it was never spotted. 2 years later they replaced the cz with their dream diamond. They also kept the cz and had it made into another ring. It had become valuable to them. So do not get me wrong synthetics and simulants are not bad or wrong. They have a very useful existence. This was meant to be a short post LOL.
Regards,
Adrian
[ edited by zircon4 on Jul 19, 2004 05:19 PM ]
posted on July 19, 2004 05:21:54 PM new
Thanks Adrian and Cheryl for the info.
I am the proud owner of three British Gemmology books and have been reading them, but still trying to get my left brain around them.
Thedewey...thanks, it's true, we beaders just see so much of those "official" names in bead colors.
OTOH buying good quality semiprecious beads on ebay is tough, tough, tough. Some folks seem to want to dump their garbage and know that buyers don't have the benefit of halogen lights and a loupe.
My brother is working on a fantastic black opal now. I'd love to have it! I have one that is carved into an owl. In fact, since opal is my birthstone I have a few. I'd be leery buying one on eBay though. I did it once and even though the stone had fire in the listing, it had very little when I received it. From watching Tom (my brother) work on the stones I know that they are difficult to cut because of their fragile nature.
posted on July 20, 2004 05:07:48 AM new
Hi Cheryl, Buying gems on ebay is a real trip. You find out quickly which sellers use stock photos, photoshop, or pics that are of a completely different stone. I even know of one seller who does not use photos at all. He is very reliable however. Over time you find the good sellers too. John the guy that has that opal listed is one of best. We have bought a bit of stuff off each other over the years it is always a pleasure. He doesn't exaggerate in his descriptions either.
Regards,
Adrian.
PS. He tells me that the opal in the auction I linked before is far better than the photo.
posted on July 20, 2004 04:52:24 PM new
Cheryl, The first one is obviously meant to be extremely misleading, especially when the use the phrase "Tiffany trademark"! They use the word "Tiffany" five times in five sentences.
The second one is less obviuous, and we both know they mean "antique finish" but the title is intentionally misleading.
