My Bench: Michael Purdy – Jeweller Magazine: Jewellery News and Trends

Michael Purdy

Works at: Soklich & Co. Jewellers Perth, WA

Years in trade: 21 years

SIGNATURE PIECE:
 

COCKTAIL RING

A cocktail ring like no other in 18-carat white/rose gold. Flora radiates elegance and style. A single heart-cut white diamond is a scintillating central feature at one carat. Split-style shoulders sweep up to an oval flat cut-out bed with curved beaded edges, which are set with round brilliant cut white diamonds, 0.56 carats. The final flourish is provided by 16 round pink diamonds, from the Argyle Diamond Mine at 0.146 carats. Feel felicitous with Flora.

Favourite gemstone:

Merelani garnet.

Favourite metal:

18-carat yellow gold.

Favourite tool:

Microscope.

Best new tool discovery:

Pneumatic graver.

Best part of job:

Setting.

Worst part of job:

Rhodium plating.

Best tip from a jeweller:

You’re only as good as your last job. It’s important to take pride in the work that you complete and continue to improve your skills wherever possible.

Best tip to a jeweller:

Buy a microscope. If you’re working as a bench jeweller without a microscope, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Love jewellery because:

It’s fun and rewarding to design and create something and then see it through to fruition.