CBJ Communication and Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a job envelope numbering system in a jewelry repair shop?
- To rank jobs by customer importance
- To track each piece through the shop and link it to its work order (Correct answer)
- To record the jeweler's hourly rate
- To categorize jobs by metal type
Correct answer: To track each piece through the shop and link it to its work order
Sequential job numbers create a traceable link between the physical piece, its envelope, and its work order.
Question 2: When communicating a repair estimate verbally, what additional step should a jeweler always take?
- Have the customer sign a blank work order
- Follow up the verbal estimate with written documentation for the customer (Correct answer)
- Quote a price 20% higher to allow for negotiation
- Call the customer's insurance company first
Correct answer: Follow up the verbal estimate with written documentation for the customer
Written estimates protect both parties and reduce misunderstandings about agreed-upon pricing.
Question 3: A bench jeweler notices a hairline crack in a shank that the customer did not mention. What is the proper action?
- Repair it without mentioning it to avoid alarming the customer
- Document the crack and notify the customer before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since the customer only authorized a prong repair
- Charge extra for the crack repair without approval
Correct answer: Document the crack and notify the customer before proceeding
Undisclosed conditions must be communicated so the customer can authorize any additional work.
Question 4: In repair documentation, what does the abbreviation 'YG 14k' typically indicate?
- Yellow granite, 14 karats
- Yellow gold, 14 karat purity (Correct answer)
- Yard gauge, 14 millimeters
- Yield grade, 14th classification
Correct answer: Yellow gold, 14 karat purity
YG 14k is standard shorthand for yellow gold of 14 karat (58.3% pure gold) composition.
Question 5: Why is it important to record the stone count on a work order before a ring goes to the bench?
- To calculate the weight of the piece
- To verify all stones are returned with the piece after the repair (Correct answer)
- To determine which display case it came from
- To set the repair timeline
Correct answer: To verify all stones are returned with the piece after the repair
A stone count at intake creates accountability and prevents disputes if a stone goes missing during the repair process.
Question 6: Which communication method is best when discussing a complex custom design with a client who lives out of state?
- Rely entirely on phone calls with no written follow-up
- Use detailed written descriptions combined with sketches or CAD images sent electronically (Correct answer)
- Ask the client to visit in person before any communication
- Proceed based on a verbal description with no documentation
Correct answer: Use detailed written descriptions combined with sketches or CAD images sent electronically
Combining written descriptions with visual references ensures remote clients have a clear, documented understanding of the design.
Question 7: A work order shows 'Inspect and clean — no repair needed.' What is the value of completing and retaining this documentation?
- It has no value since no repair was performed
- It creates a service history record and confirms the piece's condition at that date (Correct answer)
- It is only required for pieces worth over $500
- It replaces the need for an appraisal
Correct answer: It creates a service history record and confirms the piece's condition at that date
Even no-repair service records establish a timeline of the piece's condition, which can be valuable for insurance or future repairs.
CBJ Communication and Documentation 3
What is the primary purpose of a job envelope numbering system in a jewelry repair shop?