JEWELLERS CONFER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30234, 12 September 1963, Page 9

JEWELLERS CONFER

Quality Of Brush Sets

Jewellers had been unable to satisfy public demand for good quality imported brush sets, said Mr M. A. Edge, of Oamaru, at the New Zealand jewellers’ conference yesterday. Chemists were selling an inferior line made' in New Zealand, he said. Mr G. Austin, of Christchurch, said a manufacturer had in the past been assembling a "reasonably good” line. but had recently switched to the production of a "cheap plastic set.”

The matter was referred to the imports committee for investigation. The manufacture of so many different styles of wedding rings had reached "alarming proportions,” said Mr F. Wood, of Wellington. “There must be 200 designs, but the customer always wants number 201.” he said. Mr L. Malcolm, of Christchurch (a manufa>cturer > said the manufacturers would do just that—produce 201 designs. Mr S. P. Harling, of Blenheim, said the supply of watch parts was not the same now as it was three to five years ago. The conference decided to look into the matter and to compare the import figures for 1962 with those of 1958.

Concern at the increasing tendency to mount synthetic stones with diamonds on rings was expressed. Members felt that an engagement ring with a rich gem such as a diamond should not also have synthetic "rubies” or “sapphires.” The conference recommended that its members should clearly say when such stones were synthetic. The conference went into committee tor half an hour to discuss the Precious Metals Act. No statement was made when the conference resumed in open meeting. Mr G. T. Austin, of Christchurch, was elected a life member of the association. He is the association’s second life membef-—Mr H. M. Conway having been elected in 1954. Other officers for the ensuing year are:—President, Mr J. W. Heinemann; vicepresident, Mr P. H. Mayer; immediate past president, Mr H. B. Johnson; national council, Messrs C. Heinrich, J. Dever, R. T. Little, H. Smyth, A. W. Lawrence, G. W. Olliver, F. Parker, L. Malcolm, and D. Cocks; honorary member, Mr J. J. Kernohan.