Keep up!

I have been thinking recently about my wife's profession and what she has to do. As a dental care professional (practice manager), she has to take part in "continued professional development" (CPD). Most people involved in healthcare in the U.K. have to take part in courses, meetings and assignments every year to maintain there status as qualified. If this is not done, many have to re-take exams to become qualified once more. Sometimes this means more work and effort than was originally needed to pass.

In the jewellery trade CPD is not a requirement. Some trade members go on the odd course, others try hard to absorb as much information as possible, but unfortunately many don't bother. I currently work with 3 people that hold the FGA (Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain), probably the most coveted gemstone diploma worldwide. The most recent to qualify was in 1986 and the first to qualify was in the early 60's. None of them have made great efforts to keep up to date by attending courses or seminars although one did attend a valuation conference in 1998. I try and keep them up to date with advancements in technology, treatments, synthetics etc. but they are not required to do this in order to keep their qualification, but they do need to pay an annual subscription.

The GIA (Gemmological Institute of America) have implemented their "continuing education" program, which for a fee, graduates of GIA can complete 8 assignments a year and if they achieve a passing grade they get a certificate. Great! So if one of these gemmologists are challenged, they can present a case that they are "in touch". But it's not compulsory.

This doesn't just apply to gemmologists. I know of watch repairers that don't know anything of auto generating systems such as the Seiko Kinetic (since the mid 80's). Goldsmiths that don't know how to anneal Palladium and panic when it turns purple. Sales assistants that can't speak with any authority on the qualities of Palladium verses Platinum. Sales people that don't know what they are selling. In one shop I was trying very hard not to laugh at the attempt to explain the co-axial escapement found in Omega watches. He had obviously heard about a similar term used for ariel cable and thought it sounded plausible and proceeded to tell a customer about the system of cables inside!

I'm not saying that everyone needs to spend  £5000 a year on additional training. Many suppliers and repairers would be only too happy to show you what they do at no cost. If you know more about what they do, they'll get more business. Since 2005 I have worked on a folder containing letters and certificates of attendance for various factory visits and short courses. The daft thing about this is I regard collecting the paperwork as a chore, not the learning. It's my view that all trade members should make CPD a compulsory part of their career. Any fresh information, no matter how small, can be useful if it's there for the rest of your working life.

There are a few of us out there that are "die hard" jewellers, gemmologists, watch makers, goldsmiths, silversmiths, etc. that do this constantly, because we love it. We are so passionate about what we do that we always want to be at the cutting edge. I personally may not be the best at customer service (course suggestions welcome) or writing blogs, but I try. What can I do? Lots is the short answer. Strip down a column wheel chronograph watch movement and re-assemble it? No problem. Facet a gem? Yep! Make a three stone ring? Certainly. Raise a set of silver beakers. If you've got the time to wait. Explain which gems are rare and why? O.K. Test a stone in Granny's ring and tell you if it's treated? Of course. But all because of my effort and willingness to learn.

Don't get left behind. Keep up and keep in touch. Imagine you passed an exam 10 years ago in T.V. technology. You'd know nothing of Plasma, LED, HDTV, 3D, freeview + and the list goes on. Can you really afford to be this out of touch?

Take care,
Damian Miles

CPD is a great idea, yes it costs money

Advertising on this page.

Just a quick note about the advertising on this page. I do not pick any of the adverts posted, Mr. Google does (surely there should be a Mr. Google). I cannot recommend the companies listed here. I can say Tribbecks are listed and they are a well established traditional jewellery firm that I would be happy to suggest.

If you want to sell gold, try your local jewellers first. In my experience you tend to get treated more fairly and if you don't like the price, you can simply decline and walk out.

As for the news. I've given a few keywords to do with my chosen areas. It does pick up football trophies as "silverware", vitamins and sun creams etc. as "minerals" and other related things. That's my explanation for the random looking headlines.

For all other things wrong with the blog, I apologise, but I'm still new at this.

Take care
Damian