70 years in the gem business

Press, 21 June 1984, Page 1

70 years in the gem business

Dedication, a respect for tradition, and happy customers are the marks of a good jeweller, says Mr Thomas Hornsby. This advice to would-be jewellers comes from years of experience. Today, Mr Hornsby celebrates 70 working years in the business, an achievement matched by few, he says. Mr Hornsby started his career in 1914 as a messenger boy at Jones and Sons, a former jewellery shop in High Street. World War I began soon after and with the older workers in the business called for service, he was given a chance to do repair work. He managed to complete a six-year apprenticeship within five years and at the age of 26 became a fully fledged jeweller. Mr Hornsby is now in partnership with his son at White’s Jewellers, in Colombo Street, a business he has owned and run since 1943. His son joined him 25 years ago. He says that full retirement is not likely yet because he likes to keep a hand in the business. His position is mainly in an advisory capacity now.

“I would not want to have to do just nothing. I have been in the trade for 70 years and I do not feel like throwing it all overboard now,” he says.