Craftsmanship
European craftsmanship is based on an organized, federally supervised system of on-the-job education. Certified Masters take on the responsibility of educating apprentices in their studios. The process begins with an official contract between the Master and the Apprentice. The apprentice promises to perform to his best ability for the next four years, and the Master promises to teach his apprentice all that it takes to pass the federal jewelry examination. In addition, the apprentice receives a minimal paycheck.
In the jewelry industry, the system works like this:
During the first six months, the apprentice studies in a basic program at the professional school. He spends four days a week doing bench work and one day in theoretical classes. Usually within this time, 20% of the students are eliminated. After six months, each of the apprentices moves to his master into the real world. The master has his apprentice work as much as possible on “real” pieces. One day a week, the pupil has to go back to school for theoretical classes. At the end of each year, the apprentice committee tests each apprentice and verifies his skills, as well as the master’s teaching abilities. Once in a while, an apprentice has to re-do a year, or change masters to be up to date.
After four years, it’s finally time for the big test. Each apprentice has to bring his tools to school again, and create the final piece of jewelry for his apprenticeship. Everybody works the same design. Everything is done from scratch. After forty hours, a very strict committee of masters judges the jewelry. Approximately 30% don’t succeed. The happy ones receive the federal diploma, and are allowed to enter the professional world.
This system guarantees qualified workers and craftsmen. It guarantees that important rules and procedures, developed over centuries of jewelry making, are followed. It means you can trust the jeweler. His work is done right, and is of the highest quality..
I am proud of my background, and I try to pass it on to my apprentices, as well as to you, my customer, in the form of outstanding jewelry.
I tell you this so that you can understand why my jewelry is of superior quality in every sense. My jewelry is comfortable, functional, and beautiful.
But talk is cheap. Hold my product in your hands, and you be the judge.
My jewelry speaks for itself.
During the first six months, the apprentice studies in a basic program at the professional school. He spends four days a week doing bench work and one day in theoretical classes. Usually within this time, 20% of the students are eliminated. After six months, each of the apprentices moves to his master into the real world. The master has his apprentice work as much as possible on “real” pieces. One day a week, the pupil has to go back to school for theoretical classes. At the end of each year, the apprentice committee tests each apprentice and verifies his skills, as well as the master’s teaching abilities. Once in a while, an apprentice has to re-do a year, or change masters to be up to date.
After four years, it’s finally time for the big test. Each apprentice has to bring his tools to school again, and create the final piece of jewelry for his apprenticeship. Everybody works the same design. Everything is done from scratch. After forty hours, a very strict committee of masters judges the jewelry. Approximately 30% don’t succeed. The happy ones receive the federal diploma, and are allowed to enter the professional world.
This system guarantees qualified workers and craftsmen. It guarantees that important rules and procedures, developed over centuries of jewelry making, are followed. It means you can trust the jeweler. His work is done right, and is of the highest quality..
I am proud of my background, and I try to pass it on to my apprentices, as well as to you, my customer, in the form of outstanding jewelry.
I tell you this so that you can understand why my jewelry is of superior quality in every sense. My jewelry is comfortable, functional, and beautiful.
But talk is cheap. Hold my product in your hands, and you be the judge.
My jewelry speaks for itself.