GIFTS & GIVING 23


INVEST IN HANDCRAFTED JEWELS T


here can be few more indulgent experiences than spending gentle hours watching a jeweller handcraft your very own piece of fine jewellery. That’s the unique experience Johannesburg- based jeweller Kai Schmidt offers to clients wanting a personal level of involvement in their jewellery creation.


A piece of handmade design is really a gift for the ages. From early


discussions regarding the stone, the metal and the style down to technical details like engraving and setting, Kai Schmidt Jewellers handles the process every step of the way and involves its clients as much or as little as they want to be. If necessary, Kai himself will visit clients at their homes to discuss what


they want. The first meeting is the critical part. That’s when the client chooses their stone. There’s a sparkle in their eyes and a sense of recognition when they see


the stone of your dreams, which can make up 70% of the price of the piece of jewellery, says Alison Schmidt.


Next comes the design, with Kai sitting with the client to create a hand-


drawn design – there’s no fancy CAD program in this studio. The client then sees the piece set up in wax, so that they can view the design from the top down to ensure it’s what they want. Then comes the metal discussion – gold, white gold or platinum – and


the process moves into the workshop. “Some of our clients love to come in morning after morning to just sit and watch the jewellers work on their piece. They’re also welcome to tweak it as they go along,” says Alison. Depending on the complexity of the design, the manufacturing process


usually takes about three days. With time, design and precious stones among the most valuable


commodities in the world, the opportunity to experience a bespoke piece of fine jewellery is a gift worth even more than diamonds. Tel: 011 484 7777/80. Visit: www.kaischmidt.co.za


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101