Introducing Alan Priestley

Alan makes his exquisite pieces of beautiful wearable art himself, and delights in the design detail and finish of these precious pieces of jewellery.

He predominately works in platinum and 18 carat gold and does one-off commission pieces, sourcing diamonds and precious stones at competitive prices from reputable merchants on your behalf, or can remodel your existing jewellery.

• Independent valuations are welcome and available on request.

• Insurance work accepted.

• Offshore commissions undertaken. Advantageous in respect to exchange rate and goods and services tax exemption.

• He welcomes any enquiry, even if it is in an advisory capacity.

Profile

Alan is formally trained as a manufacturing jeweller in the art of hand making predominantly rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and brooches etc. Working with precious metals, he started his apprenticeship in Parnell, Auckland in 1976.

He won "Jeweller of the Year" and the "Engelhard Industries Ltd. Award" from the Manukau Technical Institute Council in his first year.

After his apprenticeship the United Kingdom beckoned. He worked for E.Wolf & Co. They were considered the largest manufacturing jewellery company in London with three floors of workshops. One of their specialties was Ob Jay Dar, the making of animals some life size, like birds all in gold and often set with precious stones. They also made some of the royal crowns and tiaras.

Next Alan worked for "David Morris" in London's West End. He again got to make magnificent pieces for the rich and famous. Alan's next move was to a company called Belling & Epstein in Hatton Garden. Here Alan got to experience Lapidary - the cutting of stones, not diamonds. He met some very talented people, and this would eventually lead himself and a lapidary colleague, being offered their own workshop in the basement of "Graff Diamonds". Graff's are famous for their huge and expensive stones. The workshop expanded to include a setter, designer, another jeweller and lapidaries'.

Example of a Bee Eater

After seven and a half years he returned to New Zealand. Back in Auckland Alan established a workshop for a while, before going into retail partnership and later opening a second shop. After a few years retailing he realised his true love was making those one-off exquisite, difficult pieces of jewellery and consequently, he is now working from his own work shop doing what he loves.

He is an affiliated member of JANZ and past President and member of the JMF (Jewellery Manufacturers Federation of New Zealand Inc.)