Rarity of a jeweller

ROPATE Cabealawa sits in his small work area overlooking busy Marks St in Suva He is surrounded by pieces of metal, various machines and implements. The day is like any other. The 66-year-old jeweller is sought by many to repair pendants, rings, necklaces and earrings to inscribing wedding bands, he does the whole works. In fact, he has been carrying out this work for “a long time” and learned from some of the best in the business. “I learnt it while working alongside a group of Gujarat jewellers from Bombay, India who used to operate their business here in Suva,” he said. “I was in my early 20s when I started doing this work It wasn’t a well paid job but I was determined to learn everything from those jewellers,” he said with a chuckle Mr Cabealawa was so good with his work that his employers recommended him to another jeweller who was willing to take. More