Unique

This is M. Francis Bourjot. He lives and works just a few kilometres from where we are staying. He is the last of his kind in France, possibly in Europe.

He cuts and polishes semiprecious and precious stones. He has worked for 38+ years in this workshop and has produced stones for Cartier, Asprey and other established jewellery firms. He has contributed his stones for items for the Sultan of Brunei, the King of Morrocco; and some Russian Oligarchs.

Here he us showing some of the designs to which he has contributed. All from a small workshop which, before the war, had 49 workers. Now he drafts in help when required such as for a quarts and lapis lazuli bath. But he remains the last person in France recognised with these skills for the quality jewellers. And for some reason, he is not able to train an apprentice so his skills may be lost.

His site contains piles of stones from across the world, many there from 1875. Many were buried in the garden during World War II to hide them from the German invaders. Only recently he discovered a pile buried when he was cutting the grass.

A fascinating visit.

The extra today is of a bush enbalmed in webs with a variety of caterpillars.