Gareth has won many accolades for my custom Jewelry design and gemstone carving. These include major national awards from prestigious national organizations.
De Beers Diamonds Today Award for jewelry design, Goldsmiths Craft Council, Craftsman of the year competition – 7 awards, The Platinum Guild Award for excellence in Platinum design and manufacture – 3 awards.
His award-winning work has been exhibited at Goldsmiths Hall, the British Design Centre, De Beers, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Olympia in London, and at the Basle fair in Switzerland.
An International reputation for Excellence
Each portrait is hand-carved from your photos by Gareth. Widely regarded as the finest portrait cameo artist in North America. Gareth also designs and makes exquisite settings for every custom jewel.
Gareth has created custom jewels for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, The Prime Minister of Canada, a Crown Prince from the United Arab Emirates, a United States Senator, Lady Diana Gibson-Watt, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Lady Janice Mitchell, and other clients throughout the World.A life devoted to creating beautiful jewelry
For the last 37 years, Gareth has been gemstone carving, hand engraving and carving family crests in gold and stone, gold-smithing, and creating custom jewelry designs. He carved his first portrait cameo in 1997.
Gareth is one of a very select group of gemstone portrait artists. Great skill, artistry, and experience are needed to be able to create accurate portraits.
He is very passionate about his art and loves to meet his clients whenever possible. He has been creating work for over 28 years. Some of his clients have been collecting his work for over 20 years.
Gareth feels strongly that for a cameo portrait to work he must feel that he “knows” the subject. It is essential to know the person’s name and their nature to enthuse the portrait carving with their spirit.
Professional Training and Expertise
Education
Medway College of Art & Design, United Kingdom, 1980-1984. Four-year Degree covering all aspects of Jewellery, Silversmithing, Hand Engraving, Jewellery casting, Jewellery design, Wax carving, goldsmithing, and gemmology.
FGA: Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. 1979-1980.
Work Experience
1982-1984 George Lukes Engravers Ltd, London, England. Worked as a hand engraver with the top engraver in the UK at the time.
1984-1987 Christopher Wharton Designer Jewellers Ltd, London, England. Worked as a Goldsmith, engraver, and Diamond setter.
1987-1991 Gareth Eckley Designer Jewellers, Wales, UK. Self-employed as a Jewellery designer, Goldsmith, hand engraver, diamond setter, jewelry valuation, gem cutting, and family crest carving.
1991-1993 Customgold Jewelers, Vancouver, Canada. Employed as a Goldsmith, hand engraver, diamond setter, wax carver, and jewelry polisher.
1993-2021 Gareth Eckley – Portrait Cameos. Gemstone carver, cameo artist, portrait artist, Jewelry designer, Goldsmith, hand engraver, diamond setter, and family crests.
2022-Today Gareth Eckley – Bitcoin Gem Art.
