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Gerd Joachim Neumann
Comyns and Selberan, Master Craftsman
Clear Cut
Gerd joined Royal Selangor in 2013. He is the expert craftsman for both Comyns a heritage sterling silver brand, and Selberan a fine jewellery brand, both sister companies of Royal Selangor. He graduated with a Diploma in Jewellery Design from School of Design - Pforzheim University (Hochschule Pforzheim DESIGN PF Fakultät für Gestaltung) in 1983.
“I suppose it has to do with growing up with Pforzheim. It’s a town in Germany famous for jewellery. After I finished high school, I was feeling a bit lost. I met a career counsellor and told him that I like making things with my hands. He suggested I become a jeweller. The first day I walked into a jewellery class, it was a life-changing moment,” explains Gerd.
For Gerd, creative inspiration is everywhere.
“It can come from an off-hand remark, a pebble on the ground or even simple shapes like a circle or a square. When I marry that inspiration with gems and precious metals, the resulting piece can be pretty special,” he says.
A patient hands-on teacher, Gerd trains and motivates his team in all areas of silversmithing and jewellery making.
“The silversmiths and jewellers I work with are very eager to learn. Take wax sculpting, the first step in making jewellery. It isn’t easy carving up a block of wax into something small like a ring. But many of them like Kyl Li and Mun Foong kept at it, not letting failure get in the way. I also support Loga, who manages workshop operations. I also teach her how to spot imperfections in silver or gold pieces. It won’t be long until her eyes become sharper than mine!”
Jewellery-making is more than just craft and creativity. Gerd’s patience and enthusiasm help polish ‘rough diamonds’ into brilliant artisans who can make something beautiful and inspiring.
“I suppose it has to do with growing up with Pforzheim. It’s a town in Germany famous for jewellery. After I finished high school, I was feeling a bit lost. I met a career counsellor and told him that I like making things with my hands. He suggested I become a jeweller. The first day I walked into a jewellery class, it was a life-changing moment,” explains Gerd.
For Gerd, creative inspiration is everywhere.
“It can come from an off-hand remark, a pebble on the ground or even simple shapes like a circle or a square. When I marry that inspiration with gems and precious metals, the resulting piece can be pretty special,” he says.
A patient hands-on teacher, Gerd trains and motivates his team in all areas of silversmithing and jewellery making.
“The silversmiths and jewellers I work with are very eager to learn. Take wax sculpting, the first step in making jewellery. It isn’t easy carving up a block of wax into something small like a ring. But many of them like Kyl Li and Mun Foong kept at it, not letting failure get in the way. I also support Loga, who manages workshop operations. I also teach her how to spot imperfections in silver or gold pieces. It won’t be long until her eyes become sharper than mine!”
Jewellery-making is more than just craft and creativity. Gerd’s patience and enthusiasm help polish ‘rough diamonds’ into brilliant artisans who can make something beautiful and inspiring.