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My Bench

The stars of my bench

Posted September 01, 2018 |

Each month, Jeweller sits down to gain insight and wisdom from the industry’s bench jewellers. Here are a few of our favourites.

Best part of the job:

FRANK ATHANASOPOULOS

Timeless Gold Jewellery
AUGUST 2016

Having the opportunity to meet and work on projects with so many interesting customers from differing backgrounds and cultures. I have learnt many of life’s lessons from my customers.

SIMON GREW

Grew & Co
FEBRUARY 2015

Knowing the work I create day in, day out has the potential to last generations.

HAMPAR ARZUMAN

Baguette Diamond Setting
MARCH 2017

It’s my family’s profession- my brothers, cousins are all jewellers. It’s important for me to continue that legacy.

KOSTA THEOCHARI

MDTdesign
MARCH 2018

Remaking customers’ old pieces into something new and modern, and giving their old stones a new look!

DEAN HARRISON

Ringleaders
MAY 2017

The idea of being able to travel the world.

Worst part of the job:

LAURA PIVOVAROFF

Wishart Jewellers
MAY 2018

Cleaning customer’s jewellery that’s never been taken off.

DAN SHADWICK

Shadwick’s Fine Jewellery
DECEMBER 2017

When people lick their finger to take off a ring and then expect you to hold out your hand to receive it with a smile on your face. Also, nose studs!

JENNA O’BRIEN

Pilkington Jewellers/Jenna O’Brien Jewellery
AUGUST 2015

Never being able to have nice nails (ha!).

DIKRAN MANJIAN

Manjian Design Works
MAY 2015

No ‘undo’ button.

IAN MURRAY

Ellissi
OCTOBER 2016

Polishing the big stuff like candlesticks. Luckily, I don’t have to do that anymore!

Best tip from a jeweller:

PAUL HOGAN

Hofstays House of Diamonds/Hogans Family Jewellers
AUGUST 2017

When the pressure builds and stress levels are running high, remember it’s just jewellery not brain surgery.

JAMES TYLER

James Tyler Jewellery
JULY 2016

The best advice about jewellery did not come from a jeweller but rather my father who said: “Make it as good on the parts you don’t see as the ones you do.”

JADE PFEIFFER

Peter W Beck
APRIL 2015

Treat the engraver for bright cutting and hand engraving “like an aeroplane landing” – smooth and gliding across the surface of the metal, not straight down digging it out.

BRETT STEWART

Brett Stewart Jewellery
MARCH 2016

Every jeweller will have something to teach you.

VICK NACKASHIAN

Vick Nackashian Fine Jewellery
NOVEMBER 2016

Practise and patience make perfection.

FERDINAND WOOLLEY

FW Jewellers
JUNE 2017

Doing a job is like buttoning up your shirt: if you don’t do it right at the start, it won’t come out right in the end.

GRAHAM TIGHE

Tighe Jewellery Studio
NOVEMBER 2017

Never rush when you’re setting.

Best tip to a jeweller:

STELIOS PALIOUDAKIS

Stelios Jewellers
OCTOBER 2017

Uncle Jimmy says there is nothing Blu Tack can’t fix.

LAUREN CUMMING

Jewellery by Lauren
SEPTEMBER 2017

Keep good communication with the customer.

LINDA SMITH

Braun/Linela Fine Jewellery
JUNE 2015

Always pass on skills and knowledge to keep our trade alive. Without this many specialist skills will become permanently lost.

HRATCH GHARIBIAN

AJ Jewellery and Diamond Setter
MAY 2016

Finish the inside of a setting with a high-polish before setting the stone. That way the setting will give the diamond full reflection and extra life.