Alan Dalton Goldsmith
11 Main Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
Tel: 058 48 442 Web:www.alandalton.ie E-Mail: info@alandalton.ie
The Man with the Midas touch...
It is said that artistry runs in the blood and this has certainly been true in the case of Dungarvan-based goldsmith, Alan Dalton. A member of the well-known county Waterford family of jewellers, he was destined to follow in the family footsteps from an early age.“My family being in the business was really what first inspired me to become a goldsmith”. Alan found himself working in the family shop at Main Street, Dungarvan, and “repairing things and working with my hands more often than selling. From there I went to Kilkenny to train with the Crafts Council of Ireland. This was followed by a scholarship to Germany to complete my training”. The seed had been sown and from it grew a new era in world-class, contemporary jewellery design.
In the intervening years, Alan has trained as a diamond grader with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, a qualification that sets him apart from many others practising within his profession. “I am very knowledgeable about diamonds and only pick exceptionally well cut stones. This could mean the difference between an average stone and a stone that’s alive and grabs your attention”.
As a Diamond Specialist, Alan is acutely aware of the most popular ‘cuts’ and is well placed to advise on the most appropriate setting for your stone.
“The most popular diamond cut is still the round, brilliant cut. This is the cut that, chemically, is best suited to diamond. In other words, it returns the most light and therefore sparkles more”. He finds that Princess cut and Marquise cut (boat shaped) are proving quite popular at the moment also, while the “most popular setting style is a four-claw setting. Again, it seems to be popular because it allows plenty of light to get into the stone”.
Travelling to Antwerp twice a year to buy the diamonds necessary for his creations, Alan selects only the finest gems available. “My coloured gems then come from cutting companies in northern Germany – a famous cutting area there called Idar Oberstein”. Such care and attention in the selection of stones, means that the lucky ladies of the South East are guaranteed to receive the most stunningly beautiful pieces imaginable. Renowned as a specialist in contemporary design, Alan is also “happy to make an engagement and wedding ring to the customers’ own design”.
However, it’s not just the blushing bride-to-be who can receive the benefit of Alan’s expertise. “I design all types of jewellery so I also create special pieces for bridesmaids and groomsmen.
In the past I’ve designed cufflinks (shaped like a ball and chain as a joke!), pendants, earrings and just about all types of jewellery”. Advising clients on style, design, materials and after-care for their jewellery is all a part of the excellent level of customer service provided by Alan, and he shares some of his top-tips with us for keeping your engagement ring sparkling. “Soaking an old toothbrush in warm water with green fairy liquid in it, and softly dabbing behind the stone should remove any dirt and retain the sparkle. I offer a free polishing service if someone buys a piece of jewellery from me so that will keep the piece looking new all the time”.
Alan Dalton designs are for sale exclusively in his Dungarvan premises. “I have a private consultation room for people to view my range of jewellery and to design a special piece for them. I work in silver and platinum, as well as gold, so there is a wide variety of materials to choose from”. With such personal care and attention given to each client, the resulting creation is guaranteed to be a thing of beauty.
It’s said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend: with his talent, expertise and experience in designing and producing such beautiful pieces, Alan Dalton’s creations are destined to be the best friend of girls throughout the South East for many years to come.
