Jeweller - December 2020

My Bench
Leon Raper
Australian Diamond Company (ADC), Melbourne VIC
Age 56 • Years in Trade 30 • Training Trade-qualified diamond setter (South Africa), Diploma of Jewellery & Object Design (Melbourne Polytechnic)
First job Apprentice diamond setter at Edward Ber in South Africa, 1981 • Other Qualifications Licensed real estate agent (Queensland)
SIGNATURE PIECE
MORGANA OVAL HALO
ENGAGEMENT RING
PRIVATE COMMISSION
In this ring, an 18-carat rose gold-toned morganite is surrounded
by small round brilliant-cut diamonds. As a simple, classic halo
ring, it’s timeless and guaranteed to draw attention.
4FAVOURITE GEMSTONE Padparadscha
sapphire. These sapphires are rare and not easily
available – especially unheated ones that are
the colour of a tropical lotus flower. The more
saturated the colour, the more valuable they are.
4FAVOURITE METAL It depends on how the
metal is used; it’s white gold when setting stones,
yellow gold when manufacturing or crafting a ring,
and platinum for longevity.
4FAVOURITE TOOL Heavy duty ring bender pliers.
They bend just about any thickness of precious
metal with ease.
4BEST NEW TOOL DISCOVERY GRS Graversmith
– I never knew how much easier it makes your
work, especially setting work!
4BEST PART OF THE JOB Mastering a technique
that you once found hard to do.
4WORST PART OF THE JOB Realising that you
misunderstood an instruction on a job packet only
after it’s completed.
4BEST TIP FROM A JEWELLER If your gut tells
you that something is not correct with a job
order, follow up with whoever is responsible for
that order.
4BEST TIP TO A JEWELLER Clean your
workbench at the end of each day. There is nothing
worse than starting your day having to face an
untidy bench.
4BIGGEST HEALTH CONCERN ON THE BENCH
Fine dust particles – especially abrasive powder
coming from the sanding disc and pre-polishing
waxes like Tripoli Lustre Polishing Compound.
4LOVE JEWELLERY BECAUSE It’s in my blood! My
father was a diamond cutter/polisher and from a
very young age, I would go with him when he visited
various people in the industry. That is how I was
exposed to the diamond and jewellery business.
64 | December 2020