Everyone stumbles. It’s how we pick ourselves up that defines us. Mistakes are stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. Failure is not your enemy; it’s your secret weapon. Learn from it, grow from it. Don’t repeat mistakes, and avoid the pitfalls others have conquered. Learn from others’ errors, too, and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and trouble. Keep the faith, stay persistent, and you’ll find success. You possess the power to overcome obstacles.

This podcast is about hundreds of counsellors volunteering their time free of charge to help our communities cope with day-to-day challenges through Hope House Counselling Centre in Cape Town. Online counselling is also available to anywhere in the world. The cost is a donation of only R150 and if you can't afford it then it's free. The founder Judy Strickland who founded Hope House 20 years ago wanted counselling available to everyone, rich and poor. www.hopehouse.org.za

Those in authority who rant and rave for hours because a mistake has been made may be ‘servicing their own frustration’, but they’re harming those on the receiving end of their tirades. Breaking someone’s spirit will never bring out the best in anyone. Some of us get lambasted in the ‘nicest possible way,’ only realizing hours later that we were being told we messed up badly. Mahatma Gandhi said it best: “Freedom isn’t worth having if it doesn’t include the freedom to make mistakes.”

A hand shake in the diamond industry has been the way of sealing a deal for many years. It is known as Mazal u Bracha. Sadly some people in our industry don't keep their word, commit to taking a gemstone and then going back on their word. This is unacceptable in the gem and jewellery industry.

It is essential that all artificially treated stones are disclosed to customers. Failure to disclose a treatment can be considered a misrepresentation by law.

Last last couple of years have been difficult for bossiness and we need to change if what we are doing isn't working.

This podcast is about grading diamonds and coloured stones.

Have a Heart for Gemmology The gem testing labs in SA should be extremely busy but alas, we battle to stay afloat. Worse, we continue to see loads of gemstones sold as something they’re not. As I have mentioned before, in a survey done some years ago, 80% of gemstones passing through our lab were synthetic, artificially treated, or imitations. In other words, they had been sold fraudulently. Overseas labs charge a lot of money to have stones checked, which enables them to afford the equipme...

“Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfilment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.” - Jack Canfield Are you seeing the truth of the above words? Many people are focused on obstacles or the past. Do you notice that they are like hamsters on a spin...

Without question, your quality jewellery items are as precious to you as the Crown Jewels are to England. With so many stories out there about people being swindled and blindsided to their huge disappointment, trustworthy valuation is critical. Please know that we feel for you. There’s no question that one needs to be equipped to do jewellery valuations correctly, especially with the sheer volume of crafty criminals hoping to make a quick buck. That means locating trustworthy and reput...

Running a gem testing lab is not a money-making business. Most won’t give us a passing thought till there is a need for a precious or semi-precious stone appraisal. Well put is the saying from ‘Oh, my bad… I forgot I only exist when you need me for something.’ Not that we’re blaming you, but understand that just because we deal with prized gems, doesn’t bring us equal fiscal reward. Spare a Thought The labs in SA should be extremely busy but alas, we battle to stay afloat. Worse, we co...

“As long as greed is stronger than compassion, there will always be suffering” Rusty Eric Greed is a global disease that continues to cost people dearly, and one that has – sadly - been around since the beginning of time. The problem is that so many people are in a desperate situation right now, many through no fault of their own. But these tough times aren’t an excuse to cheat or scam people out of their hard-earned cash. Those that can afford to buy are buying so-called great de...

“There’s no reward without work, no victory without effort, no battle won without risk.” The risk versus reward debate is familiar to us all. From dabbling in the stock market to choosing a life partner, the premise is the same. I have tried to find this balance in business, and in fact, life in general. Is the reward worth the risk? Just how risky is it? What do I need to know to mitigate the risk? Opening a business is a risk, certainly. However, the rewards – if managed correctly – can far...

Gem Alert – Misrepresentation! We have come across several colour-changing synthetic sapphires doing the rounds that are being sold as alexandrite. These synthetics have been around since 1902 so people are being told they are alexandrite and believe they must be natural because they belonged to their grandparents. Most of the “alexandrite” we see are these synthetic sapphires which, unfortunately, make an excellent imitation. Chatham-created gems make an exceptionally good synthe...

Please DON’T EVER buy a diamond set in jewellery without a report from a reputable lab that has graded the stone out of the setting. Stones are graded in the setting, and the colour of the metal can affect the colour of the stone considerably. Colour is the most difficult element to grade in a setting, and that is why is it acceptable to be at least two colour grades out when graded in a piece of jewellery. Two colour grades can make a huge difference to the price though, and the ...

“What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?” ~ Tony Robbins There are so many parts in a steam train and every single one of them must work together with the other parts in order for the train to function efficiently. Yet, a single damaged nut or bolt could bring these massive powerful trains to a halt. This tells me that if we all pull together, or if you and your staff pull together focused on a single outcome, there is no doubt you ...

I have forwarded Peter Carruthers email below. Peter has inspired me for many years and offers priceless advise on running a small business. He, like many of us has been through hard times and even lost his business many years ago. Since then he has dedicated his life to helping small business. I have attended some of his seminars when he has been in SA and I have always left inspired. Take a listen to some thoughts on not giving up in this podcast episode. To connect or for more informati...

Gemology is the science dealing with natural and artificial gemstone materials dating back to the 19th Century. It is a geoscience and a branch of mineralogy. The first qualifications were initiated when the National Association of Goldsmiths of Great Britain set up a gemological committee in 1908. The committee matured into the Gemological Association of Great Britain, also known as Gem-A. The first U.S. graduate of Gem-A’s diploma course in 1929 was Robert Shipley who later establish ...

February 2021 feels a little anti-climactic don’t you think? 2020 is, thankfully, behind us. The holiday season is over, and we’ve taken the decorations down. Our collective New Year’s hangovers have abated. So many people are looking at the ravages of this tremendously difficult time and wondering where to go from here. TERS has stopped, debt holidays are over, and debit orders are bouncing all over the place. Established businesses have closed their doors after years o...

“Isn't it wonderful to be alive? You know, you can forget all about it. Then suddenly you remember and think of all the things you can do. I am alive. How wonderful!” ~ Sophia Loren. Are you living or merely existing? The C-word certainly has done a number on us and many people have come into the new year still feeling lost, aimless, and perhaps looking for some higher purpose. The fact is, though, that time will pass – your life will pass - whether you have a plan...