Meet Andy McCallum, a talented jeweller from England, who provides his golden touch for E.R. Aubrey Jewellers. Every day he works with alluring stones from around the world and quality pieces of gold and silver at 19 Front Street, Hamilton.

His tasks are varied. As a unique craftsman he has a special work station with an array of delicate jeweller's tools and little cubicles of select accessories. He may be asked to create a special piece for someone which means he creates a design and delicately builds it.

He said: "I truly enjoy making a beautiful piece from start to finish. Some designers only design. I design and manufacture.'' Other requests could be as simple as replacing a stone or repairing something. Something may need to become larger or smaller or receive a minor modification.

Mr. McCallum has been meeting creative challenges for the past 20 years. He began his training at the age of 16 studying college courses in gemmology and diamond mounting in England. He worked at Hatton Garden, London, the jewellery centre of the UK. His first job there was as a setter -- he placed stones into mounts for about three months.

Following this he completed a five year goldsmith apprenticeship in Purely, England where he practised and practised. Several years ago he came to Bermuda as a professional jeweller where he was employed at Gem Cellar and Bermuda Jewellry Centre. He has been with ER Aubrey since October, 1997.

When Mr. McCallum was asked about his personal choices for stones he said: "I have three: tourmalines, diamonds and opals. I prefer simple pieces with nice stones.'' He defined tourmaline as a gem with the widest range of colour. Usually they are green or pinkish red and are known to have electric properties. They are mined in Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Siberia, Italy and Montana in the US.

"A good quality opal can be as valuable as a ruby, emerald or sapphire. Opals are mined mostly out of Australia and they come in different colours.

"The most valuable is the black opal. However, it isn't black and it offers brilliant flashes of green, blue and red colours. Opals can be carved into different shapes, depending on the size of the opal,'' Mr. McCallum advised.

He added he enjoys the quick pace of the workload at Aubrey's. This time of year is considered their "quiet time'' yet he has 50 to 60 work orders to fill within a few days.

"In the summer we are extremely busy with the cruise ship passengers who appreciate our designs and are amazed at our excellent prices. We are extremely busy around Christmas also.'' GOLDEN TOUCH JEWELLER -- Andy McCallum enjoys being creative at E.R. Aubrey's.