FAVOURITE GEMSTONE: I can’t go past the vibrancy of a beautiful ruby.
FAVOURITE METAL: 18-carat yellow gold. What’s not to love about a simple alloy that is both a pleasing colour and is very accommodating?
FAVOURITE TOOL: Burnishers – how pleasing it is that two metals rubbed together can give a beautiful reflective finish!
BEST NEW TOOL DISCOVERY: A few years ago, I discovered computer-assisted design (CAD). To start with it was difficult to learn, but over the years I’ve adapted my traditional skills to this modern medium.
BEST PART OF THE JOB: Pleasing people.
WORST PART OF THE JOB: Quoting.
BEST TIP FROM A JEWELLER: Do it once, do it right.
BEST TIP TO A JEWELLER: Do it once, do it right!
BIGGEST HEALTH CONCERN ON THE BENCH: Dust is the biggest concern.
LOVE JEWELLERY BECAUSE: It never stops surprising me. I started my apprenticeship in goldsmithing at the age of 16, but I wasn’t ready for the discipline required for the role – and I was given the boot after less than a year! After trying a couple of other jobs, including a trainee stonemason, I decided that I really wanted to pursue my passion in jewellery making.
After graduating from college in 1986, I landed a job at the Diamond Boutique in Maidenhead, Berkshire as a jobbing jeweller, progressing to mounter. Then, under the guidance of Anthony Hilbourne, I gained qualifications in gemmology, diamond grading and diamond setting.
Even today, there is always something new to discover – even though in a busy modern workshop, we rarely get time to step back and reflect!
