As a young boy dreaming of becoming a pilot, Dean Jackson walked to his father’s store after school, scarcely giving a thought that in the future, rather than soaring above the earth, he would be working with precious minerals that came from under the ground.
He has no regrets, although the twinge that everyone gets when a long, dearly held dream has slipped away, returns at times to occupy his thoughts. It was probably inevitable anyway. Steeped in the jewellery business since his young days, Jackson has continued to uphold a tradition of unique designs, which Gaskin and Jackson Jewellers are known for.
And, in following the footsteps of his father, the late Elric Jackson, Dean has continued to make a success of the business. Now the sole proprietor of Gaskin and Jackson Jewellers located on Camp Street, Dean is continuing in the 39-year history of the store offering something ‘simply different.’
In an unforeseen twist, he has become involved in fashion, with his jewellery accessorizing the designs of former partner, Lou-Ann Lewis for the first time at a fashion show held at the Theatre Guild two Saturdays ago.
‘Simply different’
The Scene was impressed by the jewellery designs during a visit to the Camp Street store earlier this week. With collections featuring Amerindian motifs and some pieces specially designed for Carifesta, Gaskin and Jackson is ‘simply different.’ The prices are reasonable too.
It is not surprising, considering the fact that Jackson, who was born in Switzerland famous not only for its banks but watches and jewellery as well, has been trained in that business in New York and Switzerland.
But then again, in his younger years as he stood close to his dad while the latter looked over the jewellers, the lure of gold must have captivated him and so ordained his future occupation. His godfather in Switzerland was a jeweller too. Dean had originally dreamed of being a pilot, but he said, “Being a pilot was more of a dream, the jewellery was always there, after a while it became a part of me.”
“It was always fascinating to me, it is an interesting business,” he added.
After the death of the two elder partners of Gaskin and Jackson, Dean took over the business and a tradition of providing personalized service to customers continued.
‘White gold’
And in step with the times, he disclosed many orders and queries came via email. Dean said that that many customers had a particular design that they wanted and they would email and ask about it. He said that many persons also took their designs in and he had worked with those. He revealed that with the internet, many persons saw different designs and are also more creative.
As to what local Guyanese are looking for, Dean said that jewellery made with white gold and silver had become very popular. However, overseas-based Guyanese like the “old-fashioned” yellow gold. He said that one factor with the white gold becoming popular was the crime situation.
The Timehri petroglyph designs have been immortalized in the store’s jewellery from the inception and those designs are one of the most outstanding ones. “We are known for doing those impressions,” Dean stated, adding that those were very popular with foreigners and tourists. The store also makes use of precious stones, native and non-native and these can be sourced from the different parts of the world.
Dean stepped into the world of fashion two Saturdays ago when he designed and made jewellery to accessorize Lewis’s fashions during her show at the Theatre Guild. He recalled that Lewis asked him if he would be willing to provide the jewellery for the show and he had no problems with that. He noted that it had been a successful show. It was the first time in a long time that the two – jewellery and clothing – had been combined in a local show, and Dean expressed surprise at this.
There are plans for the jewellery to be showcased during Lewis’s fashion shows during the Carifesta to be held here later this month. Some of the pieces have been specially designed for the festival. He said that the combination augurs well and thinks that it’s only natural.
‘Jewellery is fashion’
Dean declared that at Gaskin and Jackson, they try to keep it not only different but interesting as well. “We do jewellery a little different,” he asserted. With personalized service very much touted by the establishment, he has no plans to open another location. He noted that the store does a lot of personalized and special orders. In all this, it is obvious that Dean still see his father as his guide. “I try to pattern my life as I looked at my father; he was a great and humble man,” he said with pride as he recalled that he had received a lot of guidance both about the business and life.
He described his foray into fashion as “interesting” and plans to pursue more such engagements. Why? “Jewellery is fashion.”
From growing up in Switzerland, coming to Guyana, working as a banker at different banks in London and Zurich, and one year moonlighting as a bartender at night, doing all this while also pursuing his education, Dean has soared. And continuing what can now be deemed a family tradition in the jewellery business, he is flying high. (myster_gaulbert@yahoo.com)
