Reply #206: I'm not familiar with Ornament

[Coyote_Bandit]

I'll have to check it out. I was however recently gifted with nearly 50 years of back issues of Lapidary Journal.

In addition to my metal working skills I also am a glassworker doing both warm glass (fused, slumped, enamelled, cast, etc but not including blown glass) and stained glass. I have done some lampworking but frankly it is not a skill I care to invest the time and effort to develop. I hope to produce some unique mixed media pieces.

My tech school program does include a gemology component which is taught by a former GIA instructor. We get the grading and identification skills but not the GIA credentials. Of course, our costs are also much less than GIA. What you call fish gravel we call leaverite - as in leave her right there.

I have a BA, an MA, an MBA, and a JD. All acquired over a period of 20+ years. While I don't regret any of my educational accomplishments I must say that my education is a tremendous detriment in getting a job.