Inside the world of gems and gem cutting with Fiona Haines of Wise Fig Jewellery (podcast episode)
I am joined this week by Fiona Haines of Wise Fig jewellery. Fiona shares about her fascinating career, retraining in jewellery and her advice for anyone interested in studying gemstones and gem cutting.
019: inside the world of gems and gem cutting with Fiona Haines of Wise Fig Jewellery
I am joined this week by Fiona Haines of Wise Fig jewellery. Fiona shares about her fascinating career, retraining in jewellery and her advice for anyone interested in studying gemstones and gem cutting.
EPISODE RECAP
Could you share with us a little about your journey? (1:31)
Tell us a bit about the training you did in gemmology (3:10)
Tell us about the research you did into the different training options (4:50)
Tell us a bit about your favorite gemstones (5:44)
So you learned all about these gemstones and then you moved on to doing some cutting. How did you train in that? (7:13)
When you start gem cutting, what do you start with? (9:28)
What kind of equipment do you need for cutting? Has it been a big investment? (12:41)
How has all your training impacted your business? (14:40)
For anyone listening who wants to dip their toe in the water, what would be your advice on where to start? (16:26)
Tell us about your business in general, your goals for the future and what you want for your business (18:32)
What do you think has helped you get to the stage where people recognize your jewellery as Wise Fig? (20:22)
You are part of the Jewellers Academy mastermind group. What has that been like for you? (21:28)
What has been your greatest achievement so far in your business? (23:21)
For any jewellers listening who are in the early stages of their business, what would be your biggest piece of advice? (24:39)
ABOUT FIONA
My jewellery life started four years ago, when I decided to put the microsurgical skills I have acquired during my career in eye surgery to a new use. Helped by short courses along the way, these skills have given me the patience, precision and attention to detail required to produce high quality, original jewellery. Working around my commitment to the NHS, my workshop time has been put to great use, enabling me to find my style and develop my brand.
Early on in my jewellery career, I became fascinated by gemstones, and desperate to understand them better. Two years later I graduated from Gem-A with my Diploma in Gemmology, which has given me huge insight into the world of gems, and have also learned to cut my own gemstones. I now create collections of my own hand-cut gems, set in my own designs under the Wise Fig Jewellery brand. All my work is handmade by me.
RESOURCES
The Jewellers Academy Mailing List
Thanks so much for listening.
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Thank you so much,
With love
Jess x
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