Famed Jeweler Fred Leighton Dies

[diagem]

Rest In Peace Murray, my dearest friend, you will be greatly missed and the long hours we spend together cherished for life.

Murray (aka Fred Leighton) was a teacher for me back when I started cutting Period cuts over 15 yrs ago. He inspired me and pushed me forward to continue cutting Antique cuts when it was still considered unheard off and most were recutting them into modern cuts. He was a great educator, friend and colleague. I will miss him dearly.

http://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/famed-jeweler-fred-leighton-dies/

 

[Karl_K]

My deepest condolences on the loss of your friend.

 

[WinkHPD]

Yoram,

So many of our greats seem to be leaving us these days. I did not have the pleasure of knowing your mentor, but I have known men like him and thus I feel your loss. When I joined the industry it was more like a family than a business and when one of the family took you under his wing, many would welcome you.

If you feel like it one of these days, please tell us a story or two of your time together so that we might all know this member of the family.

Wink

 

[Karl_K]

Talking about stories I think it would be way kewl to have a thread about stories from the old days in the trade.
A lot of that history is being lost.

 

[rockysalamander]

What a loss to the gem art community. My grandmother said he was one of the truly singular souls in the world. I'm sorry for the loss of your mentor and friend.

 

[Lookinagain]

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. May he rest in peace.

 

[whitewave]

Talking about stories I think it would be way kewl to have a thread about stories from the old days in the trade.
A lot of that history is being lost.

I would absolutely love this!
--------------------------
I'm sorry your friend died. He was an icon.

 

[valeria101]

Mentorship is sacred ... & forever rare. Nice to hear you had a good one !

The story of 'Leighton' is something - men want to put their name on what they do, not the other way around. Then - there is no mistake who made this name...

-
Those technically unimaginable jewels - are the man-made equivalent of a Gem in my book of all things: their value dissapearing if they come apart, for all the reputation of the materials involved ... Work worth rendering in diamonds, writing in gold ! Not much out there.

 

[OoohShiny]

+1 to the suggestion of a thread with stories in it! That would be so good, it needs to happen!


My sympathies to you and everyone close to him, Yoram.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am so sorry, Yoram! What a great privilege it was to be mentored by one of the great men in jewelry of our time!

 

[Texas Leaguer]

My condolences Yoram. Your words are a wonderful tribute to the character of the man. I didn't know him, but I'm sure he would be pleased to know that he was such an inspiration to you and that he helped propel your career.

 

[John P]

Sincere condolences Yoram. Thank you for sharing your thoughts; ours are with you.

 

[LightBright]

Yoram, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm thankful that he imparted his knowledge and passion to artists like yourself. May his vision live on through those he inspired.

 

[diagem]

Thank you everyone for the warm words..., unfortunately I couldn't call him my mentor mostly because of geographic reasons I believe. But he definitely influenced me in our many meetings and discussions. I was privileged to study History live and up close during our get togethers through the years.
He was a legend in his own lifetime, he will be missed.

Thank you.