Your name: Daniel Nguyen
Your job: Master jeweler
Joel Andrews/The Lufkin Daily News |
Master jeweler Daniel Nguyen says he gets to see the best part of human relationships.
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Your employer: Beard Fine Jewelers
How long have you been in this job? Since 1974. I've been with Beard since 1999.
What are your normal working hours? Usually around 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Your job duties: I repair and design rings.
What do you like most about your job? I come from a family where that's all we do. My dad is a jeweler. My siblings are jewelers.
I went to six years of school after high school for my profession ... It's somebody's special thing. They want you to make that piece look right or look good again.
I always get to see the best part of the human relationships. I can see the ring. I can see the fire in their eyes. I can see the happiness of that guy at knowing he gave her something that made her truly happy.
People are the happiest when they come see me. I get to see whatever they dream of.
What do you like least about your job? You have to like it. If you don't, you won't be able to keep doing it. I've been doing this since I was 14.
Do you have a funny story to share, about something that's happened while you were on the job? In the '90s when body jewelry was first becoming a fad, I had to make my first belly button ring.
I was setting it and I had to be the one to fit it on her belly button. That was the most awkward position. I had to make sure the diamond was in the right position.
There was also another time when I made a $20,000 dog collar for the little bitty poodle.
What would you be doing if you weren't doing this job? I never considered doing anything else.
In 1978 when I was about 21 years old I did try something different. I went to the University of Houston and got my four-year degree in computer science.
What would you like to be doing 10 years from now? As much as I can in what I'm doing.
I'd like to keep progressing. I'm starting to apply more computerized modern technology. They have a design program for the computer.
Bench work won't ever stop though. You still need somebody to sit and set the diamond. That requires skill.
