My Bench: Brian Bretherton

SIGNATURE PIECE:

(MERELANI)
 

Handmade 18-carat white gold 5.37-carat round brilliant tanzanite with a halo of baguette diamond dress ring.

FAVOURITE GEMSTONE: Toss-up between Tsavorite Garnet, Spessartite and Red Spinel.

FAVOURITE METAL: 18-carat yellow gold.

FAVOURITE TOOL: Tyler Brother’s Mini Clamp.

BEST NEW TOOL DISCOVERY: Laser.

BEST PART OF THE JOB: Customer reactions to seeing their finished piece.

WORST PART OF THE JOB: Repairing poorly made or designed jewellery.

BEST TIP FROM A JEWELLER: Use as little solder as possible to guarantee and leave a nice join.

BEST TIP TO A JEWELLER: Look after your eyes and back. Never use a blunt scorper unless you like bandaids.

BIGGEST HEALTH CONCERN ON THE BENCH: Neck and back.

LOVE JEWELLERY BECAUSE: The sense of accomplishment when you put 20 or more hours into a piece and the customers love our craft.