Eckart J Schillings   

When I opened my first Studio and Shop in 1984 the normal thing was to have the Retail Shop and serve the local Community. This was way before the Internet and a Fax machine was the latest technology everyone was getting into. Most of my Clients were indeed the locals and my suppliers were also local Businesses within the Country. 32 years later, today my work is a totally different ball game! With the Internet, my Websites and Skype, I now participate in a truely global Economy. This week I have been dealing with clients in Singapore, organised a Ruby from Africa via my 'Gemstone Spotter Person' in Bangkok. Another Client is looking for a Ceylon sapphire, medium blue, over 5ct which has just been delivered to be inspected in my workshop on the Sunshine Coast, Qld. Then one of my American Clients dropped in for a visit and checking how his Diamond Engagement Ring is coming along. Last I spoke to a Client in Melbourne about a new project and to complete the international dealings I ordered some Jewellers machinery from my Asian Wholesalers and emailed my Italian supplier for a Rolling Mill order. It is totally normal for me today to pay for a Gemstone Order via PayPal, accept PayPal payments from overseas Clients and send Money to Suppliers using Western Union. 

Pretty amazing really how my Business operates today when compared to 32 years ago. It is definitely is faster, everyone expects instant responses to their emails, changes also happen faster and Oe needs to go with the times, constantly re-inventing yourself otherwise you get left behind. All in All. pretty exciting times! ...and when I am done with my international Dealings, I go back to my Jewellers Workbench and use my traditional Handsaw to cut some Gold to shape and use a classic Chasing Hammer and a Punch to set some of my Diamonds...

Oh, and All this happens from a small Studio / Workshop in Queensland Australia run by a single Operator with no Staff...

Have a nice Day! 

Yours, Eckart Schillings