FAVOURITE GEMSTONE: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend! I’ve fallen in love with fiery orange champagne, as it is unique and intense in colour, unlike the standard whites and champagnes. FAVOURITE METAL: 18-carat yellow gold. FAVOURITE TOOL: Renhe 119 micro motor and handpiece. BEST NEW TOOL DISCOVERY: Our workshop just purchased its first micro motors - just amazing! Quiet, lightweight, and we avoid the risk of repetitive strain injury on wrists and forearm ligaments. It’s perfect for engraving and precision work. BEST PART OF THE JOB: Working with my hands and the appreciation of perfection. WORST PART OF THE JOB: Intense timelines and schedules; however, that comes with the trade — we are selling emotions and heartfelt items. I often ask, ‘Do you want fries with that?’ on rushed orders! BEST TIP FROM A JEWELLER: Do the best at whatever you do in life, and you will always fulfil your dreams. BEST TIP TO A JEWELLER: Don’t sweat the small stuff, it’s only metal. We can always repair it or start again. We have the skill, and no one can take that away from us. BIGGEST HEALTH CONCERN ON THE BENCH: High-pitched, noisy pendant motors have robbed me and others of my age of our precious hearing. More attention needs to be put into educating apprentice jewellers on wearing ear plugs, noise-cancelling devices or switching to micro motors. LOVE JEWELLERY BECAUSE: I get to be creative every day and have immense pleasure seeing people wearing my art. |