Moving back....

[Gemsetterchris]

So, we are considering moving back to the UK ..maybe around Windsor/Henley area. I've made a few calls & work sounds optimistic or at least there is good interest.
Are we totally mad? We do seem to be stuck in a rut here in Finland & both places have pros & cons.
I'd like your opinions...

[caroleallen]

I don't know how the big jewellery shops are faring Chris. I think things are a bit dodgy in the gallery world. Things have been fine for me but my customers are mostly online. My advice would be to get your website up and running as an e-commerce site.

[Gemsetterchris]

I'm planning on sticking to a stone setting service rather than retailing anything, which I decided isn't my thing.

[Tabby66]

Not being funny Chris, but good stonesetters are like 'rocking horse.....', ..........as you would expect, like I am with my 'finished piece', you will be judged by the quality of your work....., I'd happily try you for setting work and very much recommend to colleagues if I was happy, in return, i'd expect you to identify your limitations (opals??), my poor setting set ups and thus reduce trashed work and broken stones.....a mutually beneficial working relationship??!!

I think you'll find plenty of work out there,....your intended location may reduce your availability for "aaagh I'm desparate" work...but that maybe to your advantage?!

[Gemsetterchris]

Working with jewellery makers is important..I get a lot of work that while adequately neat, could have been better & more efficient to do with a few tweaks to "optimize" things.
I've had hardened goldsmiths change their ways & they realised how much quicker & neater their work was completed.
Small adjustments can make a world of difference which benefits all involved with efficiency, cost & result.
Shame I can't get some work sent here despite the logistics being reasonable for not so urgent things...

[ps_bond]

Does that suggest that anyone working with stones in their jewellery should have learned basic stonesetting, even if they never intend to do it themselves?
Actually, there's a course idea - goes with my design for manufacturing kick in other areas - teaching people to design pieces that can be set. You'd need some pieces that were a complete pig as well to compare & contrast.

[medusa]

Working with jewellery makers is important..I get a lot of work that while adequately neat, could have been better & more efficient to do with a few tweaks to "optimize" things.
I've had hardened goldsmiths change their ways & they realised how much quicker & neater their work was completed.
Small adjustments can make a world of difference which benefits all involved with efficiency, cost & result.
Shame I can't get some work sent here despite the logistics being reasonable for not so urgent things...

maybe some examples of how not to send stuff in verses how to prep something for setting? I have deliberately not looked to set stones in my work because I know I'd make a mess of it and I assume that getting something professionally set would be to expensive to be worthwhile, but if I knew I could make the setting an easier job and thus less expensive, then I'd be really interested in using stones more.

[Gemsetterchris]

Absolutely, even theoretical knowledge goes along way..also helps that I know goldsmithing & engraving theory ( reasonably well ) even if I never do it.
No point making things that are problematic, sure some jobs can be tricky but trying to create a silk purse from a pigs ear is costly.
A lot of work is made without taking all things into consideration or through lack of knowledge, which is why setting can be less than great & needlessly expensive timewise.
If goldsmiths & setters actually worked together rather than be traditionally complaining about each others faults things would be a lot easier

[Tabby66]

Absolutely, even theoretical knowledge goes along way..also helps that I know goldsmithing & engraving theory ( reasonably well ) even if I never do it.
No point making things that are problematic, sure some jobs can be tricky but trying to create a silk purse from a pigs ear is costly.
A lot of work is made without taking all things into consideration or through lack of knowledge, which is why setting can be less than great & needlessly expensive timewise.
If goldsmiths & setters actually worked together rather than be traditionally complaining about each others faults things would be a lot easier

I guess that was my point exactly.....I have some theoretical knowledge and practical experience of setting stones.

However, what I also realise with the jewellery trade is you can become a jack of all trades and a master of none!! I enjoy and spend my time making pieces, model making and diamond setting skills,........mainly for bespoke, one off stones, this is what I wish to master and where I think my time is best spent.....(from both a business and personal perspective),........therefore, I think that I'm better paying a person who has mastered setting skills to set a stone well and in a fraction of the time I could. However, appreciating the stone-setters skills, I know I can learn from them and I expect the odd knock back of settings. NOT frequent Peter, (I hope!!), I have a good relationship with my setter and I ask if I think it's close and he advises if he thinks it's a no-go. Occassionally it's a tweak, sometimes it's a remake, often it's less than 0.1mm that makes all the difference.......

Chris, stone-setting courses are a definate option in the UK, access to skilled workmanship and teaching can be very limited. 1-2-1 or very small group.....I also think, as Peter has suggested that a, 'setting up your setting.......what the setter needs to make your setting more successful'...would be a great small group course!!

Best wishes
Tabby xx

[Wallace]

Chris, you both should come home, it is a nice place to be. We would be happy to visit and inundate you with needs for learning, setting and general good banter.