Leads directly into the workshops of Britain's leading jewellers, silversmiths and art medallists. At the click of a mouse, the list of Who's Who in gold and silver


THE GOLDSMITH'S Company's recently launched online directory, www.whoswhoingoldandsilver.com,; is an example of a 21st century initiative from an organisation which has spent the past 700 years of its history promoting excellence in the design and craftsmanship of gold, silver and jewellery.
Now in its second year, the Goldsmiths' Company's Who's Who website gives members of the public direct access into the workshops of Britain's leading designers in gold and silver, enabling them to source distinctive and original jewellery, silverware or art medals.
For the designers who subscribe to it the website is proving to be an important promotional tool. The total number now featured on line is 140 - an additional 38 have joined since the website was launched a year ago.
The website is flexible and straightforward and offers a variety of search facilities - searches can be by artist, product or keyword, and can also be defined by product area or by the Quick Search option.
The Designers and Makers Index provides comprehensive information on each subscriber giving full contact and biographical details, in addition to providing lists of stockists where applicable and links to the designers' own personal websites, plus other useful, related websites. Another helpful tool is a glossary, which lists alphabetically numerous technical terms regularly used by jewellers and silversmiths.
A section entitled How to Purchase and Commission gives helpful guidelines and, with excellent colour images illustrating the incredible variety of work represented by each of the designers represented on line, the Who's Who website is a “virtual” shop window 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - accessible worldwide.
The latest new recruits to the website can be found by clicking on New Designers & Makers. Among them is Jacqueline Mina, one of Britain's, foremost designer jewellers, whose exquisite and technically brilliant jewels can be found in museums throughout the world. A new entry to join the ranks of the silversmiths is Alfred Pain who uses his experience in architectural metalwork to combine various materials with silver to create work that is plain but elegant.
The art medal, a form of hand held sculpture, is once again returning to its former Italian Renaissance status as is evident with the increasing number of art medallists to be found on Who's Who. The three latest subscribers include, Kate Harrison, Mathew Holland and Jane McAdam Freud.
Since it first went on-line, Who's Who, has attracted a positive reaction. Monica McLaughlin, Fashion Editor of the about-to-be launched American publication, Facets, for jewellery and watch enthusiasts, said of the Who's Who website: “It's fantastic - very organized, informative and easy to navigate. Other sites should use it as a model”.
The subscribers themselves have endorsed the benefits of the site. Their comments include “I feel that it is a prestigious website that adds to one's image” (Lexi Dick); “I have had my largest sale ever via the site, from America” (Liz Tyler); “The endorsement of the Goldsmiths' Company is very reassuring to customers buying without visiting the jeweller personally” (Pamela Dickinson) and “In the long term it will benefit craftsmen” (Ian Rank Broadley).


The Goldsmiths' Company is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London. Dedicated to promoting excellence in the design and craftsmanship of silver and jewellery, The Goldsmiths' Company is also responsible for the statutory function of hallmarking gold and silver articles by operating the London Assay Office, a function, which began in 1300.


www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk
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Source: The Goldsmiths' Company press release