Okay, I'll admit. The title is just to draw you in. However, that doesn't discount the truth in my experience as a young, female gem cutter. I try not to talk about this part of my experience with people too often because I don't want to sound like I am trying to make excuses for myself, but, I also don't think it is fair to discount my journey. I have a funny feeling that others reading this blog might relate in some ways too.
Being in my twenties, it isn't for the faint of heart to be taken seriously by others in the gem industry. To be frank, this industry is full of old white men, and as surprising as it might be, that is not me. Now, I do believe they currently are the heart of this industry, but times are changing and the world is evolving. More than ever, we are seeing the gals, gays, and they's enter into the gem world. I think this is ~finally~ happening because once women were finally able to go to college and open their own bank accounts, they were able to give themselves the opportunity to start their own businesses as jewelers and gemologists rather than that business be passed down to them by their fathers. Women are truly starting from ground one to shimmy their way into the jewelry industry, which is no easy feat. Being that I am so fresh to the adult experience, I can often feel patronized by people I interact with. Time and time again I have had the pleasure of a man explaining to me how gem cutting works- as if I don't do this as a full-time profession. I have been shrugged off and brushed aside countless times (which has been incredible rejection therapy) when I tell people I am available to do re-cuts and wholesale work. Then, not even recognizing me on social media, they reached out to inquire based on my social media platform, not even aware of how rude they were to me in person when I tried to speak with them in person.
Look, I get it, I'm a twenty-something, 4'11", female gem cutter. I can hardly even look over the counter of a gem case without platform heels on. How could someone ever assume that I am the future of the gem cutting profession? I understand this may come off as cocky, but if I were a man saying all of this, I would just be seen as confident. I realize that this blog is quite blunt and forward, and I honestly don't care. I take my craft extremely seriously, and I think it shows in my work and how I carry myself in business. With this confidence, I am also aware that I don't know everything there is to know about gem cutting and I never will. I aspire to always learn more, and find the term 'master' to be incredibly foolish.
After the 2024 presidential election, a fire has been ignited in me to take my place in the jewelry industry as a force to be reckoned with. I think the best thing that I can do to "stick it to the man" and become someone that people prefer to work with over others. Let's be real, the top gem cutters at this time don't have that much time left and someone is going to need to fill their shoes. I plan to be this person. I do wish that more people realized that inflation is a thing, and I can not live off the outdated cutting fees that were put in place 30 years ago. So while you can enjoy your cheap cutting fees and honestly inattentively done work, that will put me out of the job so that when your old gem cutter dies, I will no longer be cutting gems since I had to get a 9-5 job. Harsh? Yes. And I don't care :) It is so important to support the youth of our industry to ensure their place in it in the future.
I am super eager and excited about this industry. I adore gemstones and jewelry and I think at times that can be mistaken just like any other time a woman is happy and kind during a conversation. Let me make this clear. I am not flirting with you or hitting on you if you are in the industry. So sorry folks, but I’m not going to shit where I eat! I hate that I have to feel so closed off when working because god forbid a man asks me back to his hotel room again. Please just let me buy my gemstones in peace and move on. I would love to be more open and kind to everyone I speak to and work with but honestly, I hate being bit in uncomfortable situations. Be respectful towards me and I will be respectful towards you.
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