Jeweller - February 2019

MY BENCH
Martin Lovell
WORKS AT:
Lovells Jewellery Studio
AGE: 57
YEARS IN TRADE: 40
TRAINING: Four-year
apprenticeship followed by
39 years of learning
FIRST JOB: Clausons
Jewellers, Cairns
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
Antwerp Diamond Broker
Favourite gemstone:
Tourmalines because the
diversity of this gem can be
likened to a chameleon, not
that it changes colours at
will, but because it can be
found in so many different
hues, it can challenge so
many gemstones for colour
and beauty.
Favourite metal: 18-carat
yellow gold, its malleability
and colour ticks all the
boxes for me, it “feels” right
in the hand, in the rollers,
in the draw plates, on the
anvil for forging and the eye
both before polishing and
especially after.
Favourite tool:
My fixed swing away torch
to the side of my bench.
It is so versatile utilising
and frees my hands up for
holding pieces for soldering.
Best part of job: Having
the ability to design and
completely handcraft a
piece of jewellery, from
melting ingots through to
the final setting by hand,
the challenge now of
mastering CAD programs.
Worst part of job:
Watchbands and batteries.
Best tip from a jeweller:
Always challenge yourself
and always consider
alternative ways to do a job.
Best tip to a jeweller:
You can learn from
anyone, regardless of their
experience level. i