My Bench: Mark Draper

MARK DRAPER

Works at: Bell & Brunt

Age: 39

Years in trade: 19 years

Training: Jewellery Design degree at Uni SA/ Trade Jewellery Apprenticeship

First job: Nicholas Pike Jewellers

Favourite gemstone:

Padparadscha sapphire because of the beautiful colour.

Favourite metal:

White gold, given the hardness of the alloy its possible to get sharp results in the final finish.

Favourite tool:

Hands - best pliers I own; and general purpose hammer I have owned since I began. When the handle breaks I think I will quit.

Best part of job:

Customer’s reaction when the job goes well and you can see that they are moved by the sentiment.

Best tip from a jeweller:

Perfection is impossible, but we should always strive to attain it in what we do.

Best tip to a jeweller:

Failure is a critical part of the manufacturing process, it’s how we become better jewellers.

Biggest health concern on the bench:

Respiratory diseases in later life from years of inhaling silica abrasives, and musculoskeletal disorders from long hours statically hunched over poorly fitted jewellery benches.

My bench is always:

Messy because I’m usually engrossed in the piece I’m working on too much to care where I place my file.