Jewellery, gemmology, fieldwork and fun, School... continuous learning....

As Far Back as I remember, in terms of the last ten or so years, with jewellery, there was never a time that I was not attracted to Stones. 

My jewellery studies came about as I have always been artistically inclined from a very young age and went to an Independent Art school  - their jewellery department closed for a number of years due to lack of funding, but I am glad to know that they are again up and running and producing exiting young people that are enthusiastic about the trade.

This Art school was intimately connected to my family, which I only found out after I was accepted. I was quite happily surprised at one of my visits to the Director's office - as I turned around and there was a watercolour signed by my great grand father Groves.

http://www.ruthprowse.co.za/jewellery.aspx

As I walked into the workshop the first time, I saw molten metal in a crucible, being held by a flame in it's liquid state was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. 

I started on my portfolio.  In my interview I had brought some stones along. 
I left and went to another school when they closed.  The next school, I felt the standards were not high enough for myself to go into industry, and I sought out the top school in terms of Technique.  Cape Tech now CPUT. 

I am currently back for more and finishing my BTech.
A few reasons for this.  Most important, a degree in Technology. 


http://info.cput.ac.za/prospectus_3/qual_new.php?q=228&f=4

But subsquent to this I did EGL Diamonds and Tanzanite.  Not enough, I signed up for my GG with GIA, and did Rough Diamonds too.

But then went to the school of Trade and industry and the university of hard knocks.
Checked how some do it and how others dont.

I saw how people treat staff and how staff want to be treated - how staff perform and what they may need to deliver the best job.  I have worked for fairly small businesses in the jewellery trade and industry organisation that sets the global standard for Gemmology.  Representing GIA Johannesburg in Gabarone was great - and I went to Diamond Bootcamp!!!!

More studying diamonds - Flipping Stones!!!

So, I m lucky to have not witnessed but been part of systems that are about production and Quantity and Quality and years and years of development of a strategic system the streamlines production to the point of limited hick ups.

I have also worked in High end jewellers where every task handed to you, is done with the utmost care and consideration for the Design and production of a single piece that will never be replicated again, and where there needs to be constant thought and well considered solutions, so as to prevent futher hick ups in completion of said piece.

 I ve been to the 18th story of a building on Avenue of the Americas - to a fellow countryman - that was alerted by a mutual acquaintance, that there is someone he should meet.  Walking through the door, in a pinstriped suit and Prada Calf skin boots, I was welcomed and after a discussion i was shown a beautiful Type 2a emerald cut diamond - size, I cant recall carat weight, but lets leave it at large.

A few weeks into my time spent in NY, I was a local at two of the Diamond exchanges on 47th street.  When I went passed one afternoon after school - GIA NY - one of my Favourites asked me - How is your school work?  I said "My marks are reflecting well, Sir. thanks for asking. "  He asked if I would like to see Kashmir sapphires.  I said I would appreciate making an appointment and I may come see him when he has time, to which he smiled.  Hassidic jew in his long NY styled Coat open revealing his waist coat, and his hat on his head, with traditional ringlets in front of his ears, turned to me and smiled brightly asking if I have time, I said sure, to which he pulled out two Briefkas.   He must have seen my eyes widening, as it made him laugh a bit as he handed them to me and I pulled out my loupe and tweezers.

I saw my first ever Melo melo pearl at this Exchange on 47th street.  I could not believe my eyes.  never had I seen such a thing in my life. Not in South Africa or in Britain. I d only read about it. _ (it was priced at $50 000)

Britain and Old Bond street brought with it Moussaieff and all its emerald glory.  as I stood outside the Windows displaying what I referred to, in relaying the experience to other gem enthusiasts, as centimeters and thumbs of emeralds, as some of them were so big you could probably have easier measured them in cm, and there was a wonderfully beautiful set of earrings that made me realize that I did not have ever even have a thought that such large gem quality emeralds might be in existence and circulation today. 

Well, it was not only me that may have had these thoughts, as I was standing there awestruck, and dumb found at the displays , a young asian man came and stood diagonally behind me and took a few photographs.  Seems hew must have agreed.

Back in Africa, I headed through Botswana on the Trans Khalahari highway Passing Jwaneng one of the richest diamond deposits globally - to head to Namibia.  Mineral country.

It was here that even more was revealed to me, since field work makes one truly aware just how special a gem may be.  Just how rare.  And makes one truly appreciate where that gem may have come from.  Being gratefull for the many that have lost their lives in the process of us needing to find the next Kashmir Sapphire or Ruby from Mogok.  The next Copper rich elbaite from Paraiba, Mozambique, Namibia, or Nigeria.  I wish we would track paperwork more accurately and be kinder to our environment from which we pull these gems.

I loved the dust and the dirt and the African Sun, and my first serious feeling of a fever, they say that this is what happens when you find gold - you get gold fever.  Or when opal gets into your blood
you find an addiction that you cant explain unless the other person also suffers from the same affliction.


It is in suffering this affliction or pleasurable passion gladly that I have met some of my greatest friends.  Some of the people that I hold in highest regard and people that I would share the smallest things with - a photo of an inclusion.  Who still seem to have the deepest appreciation for it, despite it's size.

Working and travelling has certainly given me insight into this world.   This underworld.

But it is in what my Mother and Father taught me that rings truest. 

To be kind and gentle and sincere in all that you do.  To be true and honourable. To work hard. To have faith in your abilities and what you do and to keep on going despite defeat.   And to remind myself and others of how fortunate we are and to try remember daily not to complain.