Peter Minturn

Peter was educated at Gravesend School of Art, and the Central School of Arts and Crafts London. Apprenticed to Hathaway & Muddiman as a Diamond Mounter in Hatton Garden 1953-1958 where he was awarded a first class pass in City and Guilds in Diamond Mounting.

On the completion of apprenticeship he served two years National Service in the RAF as a Medic in the St Athen Mountain rescue team.

After immigrating to New Zealand in 1961, he spent 3 Years as the foreman in G & G Heinrich's workshop, then in 1964 Peter set up his first workshop in Auckland.

He founded the Federation Of Manufacturing Jewellers in 1965, and was elected as its first chairman and in 1978 became its first "Life Member .

In 1971 he was the first jeweller ever to be elected as a member of the New Zealand Society of Industrial Designers. Peter Minturn Creations was awarded the New Zealand Industrial Design Councils 'Design Mark' for its production jewellery, which spearheaded the export of jewellery from this country in the 1970s.

In 1976 Peter undertook a study tour partly sponsored by the Queen Elizabeth Arts Council, of the major jewellery schools in Europe with the aim of setting up such an institution in New Zealand and in 1977 he was sponsored by the Gold and Diamond producers of South Africa, to undertake a study tour of their industries.

Peter has made commissioned pieces for the Queen, Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra, Lord Robens, Michael Cane, Elton John and Frankie Vally. Recently he was commissioned to make a commemorative piece for the Maori Queen Te Atairangikaahu, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her succession to the throne.

He has set and marked the trade certificate examinations for New Zealand jewellery apprentices and has been a regular Judge for the Skills Jewellery Competitions.

For five years he had a regular monthly spot on the National Radio with Wayne Mowatt, called 'Rings & Things' where he discussed current events in the world of Gems and Jewellery and Archaeology etc. Peter is a regular speaker at events and Conferences.

In 1984 he sold his original company and now works designing and making commissioned work. Over 2005-2006 Peter travelled to Australia and Sri Lanka with the Australian Gemmological Society.

Peter was invested in 2008 with a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit for services to jewellery manufacturing and continues to work as a Designer Jeweller from the School's premises.