Village Squire, 1978-04, Page 13DaN id Anstett carefully exams gemstones before they are
mounted in a ring setting.
They've made jewels
a family affair
Photos by Frances Barrick.
The family
jew eliers
BY FRANCES BARRICK
Family involvement and professional knowledge is what
makes the Anstett jewelry business unique.
"We are professional jewelry people, and if we follow that
theme all the way down the line, along with the family
involvement, that is what sets this company apart from any
other," said David, eldest son of John Anstett, owner of Anstett
Jewellers Limited.
Mr. Anstett, a watchmaker, acquired his trade while serving
overseas in the Canadian Armed Forces during the occupation.
After the war, he returned to Canada and worked at jewelry
stores in Woodstock and Dundas.
In 1950, Mr. Anstett opened his first jewelry store in Clinton.
Nine years later the business expanded to three locations. The
Walkerton store, managed by Mr. Anstett's brother Jird►, started
up in 1956, and three years later, the Seaforth store, managed by
his brother Ray, opened its doors.
Mr. Anstett attributes the expansion of his business to
personal ambition and lots of drive.
In the Clinton store, the hub of the company, five of Mr.
Anstett's children are involved in the business of selling jewelry,
diamonds, gemstones, watches, clocks and giftware. _
David, 25, and Michael, 22, are certified gemmologists. As
specialists in the field of gemmology, which is the science of
gems, they can give expert judgement on identification and
value of gems. And because of this professional knowledge, they
are involved in the buying and selling of precious stones.
"Since my sons have taken special courses, and become
gemmologists, the business has had a steady growth by way of
this knowledge," said Mr. Anstett.
Paul, 24, who presently works in the store's repair
department, is learning the goldsmith trade. He has acquired
on-the-job training in a factory in Toronto, and is practising his
VILLAGE SQUIRE/APRIL 1978. rt;. 11.