My Bench: Alfie Gryg

Alfie Gryg

Works at: Allgem Jewellers

Age: 53

Years in trade: 38

Training: Apprenticeship in jewellery manufacturing and opal cutting

First job: I’ve always worked in the family business, Allgem Jewellers

Other qualifications: FGAA, Cert IV TAA (Training and Assessment), Bachelor of Commerce

Favourite gemstone:

Australian black opal. My dad taught me how to mine, cut and polish the gemstone when I was 10.

Favourite metal:

Platinum. It’s a beast of its own that takes special skills learnt by experience and patience.

Best new tool discovery:

The Silent Ultrasonic Cleaner (I’m still waiting to get one!).

Best part of job:

The fascinating and wonderful new customers that I meet every day.

Worst part of job:

The brazen shoplifting thieves that seem to be rampant in our industry.

Best tip from a jeweller:

Don’t open an obvious Pandora’s box.

Best tip to a jeweller:

Polish all parts first, check and polish again. The final finish is how a customer perceives all of your work.

My bench is always:

Messy – it’s full of packets, sketches and items in progress, and there are tools spread all over.

Favourite sport:

I train in Jujitsu, Aikido, Karate and Kung Fu. Martial arts is my type of ‘sport’!