Gyrogami Blog - Precious Metals, Jewelry, Artwork

Ethics, Please!

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Categories: Rants; Human nature; Ethics and laws

Word count/read time: 432 words; 2 minutes

A bunch of comments on a recent forum prompted this article. It highlights the lack of scruples within the jewelry and related industries. This is about jewelry and anything that mimics it including chainmail, chain link, metal and leather, etc.

Not knowing what you are selling or how to legally sell it is a bad start. All of the information about virtually any product is readily available on-line. We teach five-year-olds about internet searches so there is no excuse for adults. They are all around us and no population group or profession is immune.

Assuming their scam is "unintentional," (as if stupidity needs an excuse) laziness often prevails so a pile of rusty nails is like the Ark of the Covenant. It isn't an honest mistake by any means. It's negligence.

There's no need argue about something when the manufacturer states the facts. When they say they never made an item, accept it as truth. When math or physics can handily disprove a claim, wise people don't argue. There is no grey area, no debate, no wiggle room. It's nothing personal, just a hint of common sense and low-level intelligence.

When it is marked as "silverplated" then it is not sterling silver. The number who then say they ""tested it to be sterling silver"" is comical. And they tested it with an ice cube, they say?!

You'd think that perfection and honesty are the norm in some industries based on what everyone says about their products. Take the law regarding handmade jewelry and you'll see it is ignored except by accident or coincidence.

Once you hear, "I believe..." you can be certain that whatever follows is false. People make that statement to absolve themselves of any culpability in the matter. Even if they're wrong, they aren't because of their disclaimer.

When it comes down to it there is no reason to be truthful because there are no consequences at the level that most sellers operate. Not to continue to repeat this fact but chainmaillers in general lack ethics, integrity, (skill and talent, too), and constantly lie about their products, manufacturing, and everything else. Should we fault them for making junk and lying about it?

After all, that is expected in today's fake news and everyone-get-ahead at all costs society. Unfortunately they believe their lies and when called out they (verbally) violently lash out. I'm disheartened to be associated with the chain making or chainmaille industry. This is supposed to be the easiest craft/hobby aside from connect-the-dots. You'd think it's rocket science given how difficult it is to find a well-made chainmaille design.

Posted by M: September 13, 2017

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