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Thread: My first post

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Morbihan, France
    Posts
    31

    Default My first post

    Hi everyone,

    My name is Phil, I have just turned 60 years old but feel like a 30 year old!

    I have been a jewellery designer and maker for over 38 years. I have spent all that time working for myself. I started in a converted bedroom and ended up having my own High Street shop.

    In the early days, I specialised in mostly commission work and have done some amazing pieces for quite famous people including royalty as well as for the ordinary man in the street. However, after I had my shop, I had to produce several ranges of jewellery which I designed and made myself, as commission work alone wouldn't keep me in the manner to which I had become accustomed lol!

    This was back in the days when Margaret Thatcher thought she ruled the world and in her wisdom put the VAT on luxury goods (including jewellery) up to 25%. This just about killed the jewellery trade for a while.

    I gave up making jewellery as a business for a while but always made the odd commission piece and a few other items mainly as a hobby. I sort of retired a few years ago due to ill health but have decided recently to bring my tools and Sievert torch out of mothballs.

    I moved to France over 10 years ago so no longer have access to what used to be Johnson Matthey Metals but which is now Cooksongold and the Hockley area of Birmingham or Hatton Garden. I have lost all my contacts for stones etc and therefore would like your help.

    Can anybody recommend some good well priced stone dealers? Dealers in ordinary cabs of good quality, maybe something a little different, and dealers in mid ranged precious stones. I particularly like cab tourmalines if anybody knows people who deal in these kinds of stones.

    Also, I have a small Elmar Ultrasonic which I bought from Suttons a long time ago. What sort of liquids should I use for general ring cleaning after it has been on the polishing buff? I have just bought some Sea Clean 2 and wonder if this is any good in a warm water dilution.

    Another question - back in the day, I never bothered much about trying to stop firescale and just used to spend ages with a buffing stick removing it. But I understand that there are things that you can paint on or dip items into to stop firescale or at least cut it down to a minimum. I was recommended some Argo-tect to use in combination with meths. Is this any good or can anybody recommend anything better and not so toxic.

    I think that's probably enough of my ramblings for now. I await your replies.

    Phil (philongold)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Exeter, Devon
    Posts
    1,803

    Default

    Hello Phil, i buy most of my day-to-day stones from Kernowcraft in Cornwall, but another girl that sources some magnificent stones is Joopy Gems based in Hong Kong. Pat

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,902

    Default

    Hi Phil,
    Check out; http://www.manchesterminerals.co.uk/ they took over Hilton Bros. lapidary and stock some nice stones.

    I use ammonia based ultrasonic cleaner fluid, but on occasions when I run out I have used dishwasher fluid and hot water quite successfully.

    I look forward to seeing some photos of the amazing pieces that you have made.

    James

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    2,067

    Default

    Hi Phil,

    Im also in France

    I buy everything from the UK though, its cheaper even with postage and the service is better than the French websites Ive found so far.
    http://www.wardgemstones.com/ is another good stone supplier.

    Would love to see photos of your past work!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Rural Somerset, between Yeovil and Shepton Mallet
    Posts
    201

    Default My first post

    I think you will find it was Dennis Healey who introduced 25% vat rate on luxury goods, the highest rate under Maggie Thatcher was 17.5% after the 25% "higher rate" was abolished by the Chancellor Geoffrey Howe.

    Welcome by the way, I can recommend Kernowcraft for semi precious cabs.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Barry the Flying Silversmith👍

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Morbihan, France
    Posts
    31

    Default

    Many many thanks to all of you that have replied so far. Keep your responses coming - the more the merrier.

    I will check out all that you guys have recommended.

    Barry M - you are right, but the problem remained the same!

    Phil

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    3,392

    Default

    Hi Phil
    Hope you find a 30 year old

    I tend to use Marcia Lanyon for stones. If they don't have it on your website then they are really helpful and may have them in stock anyway.

    I've always just polished out my firestain which is probably why I still like tripoli and rouge
    Last edited by CJ57; 05-01-2015 at 05:11 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Cornwall
    Posts
    3,172

    Default

    Hi Phil and welcome from me. Good to have some more experience on here.

    I like Kernowcraft too and of course, they're just down the road from me so I can pop in. There aren't many places I can pop into down in the depths of Cornwall!

    Some people use Magic Boric for fireplace but although I've got it, I can't really be bothered and like you, I buff it out. I have a fabulous tool called a Jooltool which does it brilliantly.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    West Midlands
    Posts
    1,533

    Default

    A warm welcome from me too, 'in the middle'. I'm lucky in that I can pop into the JQ for things. Marcia Lanyon is good for stones, as is The Curious Gem.

    I'd be interested to hear what it is like living in France and looking forward to seeing some pics of your work when you get time.
    Jules

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Dorset
    Posts
    135

    Default

    Hi Phil!!
    I also use Manchester Minerals and its back in my home town of Stockport. As a beginner its very inspiring to hear your bedroom to shop story! Just a welcome and hello from me!!
    Sam

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