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 ATHANASOPOULOSTimeless 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 GREWGrew & Co FEBRUARY 2015 Knowing the work I create day in, day out has the potential to last generations. |
HAMPAR ARZUMANBaguette 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 THEOCHARIMDTdesign MARCH 2018 Remaking customers’ old pieces into something new and modern, and giving their old stones a new look! |
DEAN HARRISONRingleaders MAY 2017 The idea of being able to travel the world. |
Worst part of the job: |
LAURA PIVOVAROFFWishart Jewellers MAY 2018 Cleaning customer’s jewellery that’s never been taken off. |
DAN SHADWICKShadwick’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’BRIENPilkington Jewellers/Jenna O’Brien Jewellery AUGUST 2015 Never being able to have nice nails (ha!). |
DIKRAN MANJIANManjian Design Works MAY 2015 No ‘undo’ button. |
IAN MURRAYEllissi OCTOBER 2016 Polishing the big stuff like candlesticks. Luckily, I don’t have to do that anymore! |
Best tip from a jeweller: |
PAUL HOGANHofstays 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 TYLERJames 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 PFEIFFERPeter 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 STEWARTBrett Stewart Jewellery MARCH 2016 Every jeweller will have something to teach you. |
VICK NACKASHIANVick Nackashian Fine Jewellery NOVEMBER 2016 Practise and patience make perfection. |
FERDINAND WOOLLEYFW 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 TIGHETighe Jewellery Studio NOVEMBER 2017 Never rush when you’re setting. |
Best tip to a jeweller: |
STELIOS PALIOUDAKISStelios Jewellers OCTOBER 2017 Uncle Jimmy says there is nothing Blu Tack can’t fix. |
LAUREN CUMMINGJewellery by Lauren SEPTEMBER 2017 Keep good communication with the customer. |
LINDA SMITHBraun/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 GHARIBIANAJ 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. |
GEOFF BROWNGeogem JULY 2015 Putting in the long hours at the beginning of your career will pay off. |
MARION SCHWEITZERMarion Schweitzer Jewellers APRIL 2017 Be passionate about your job and aim to be the best at what you do. |
PAUL BLIGHPeter W Beck DECEMBER 2015 When working with platinum, keep the metal cool as this will make for an easier working product. |