ABOUT NEIL OLIVER - F.I.P.G.
Mr Oliver started his engraving career in 1959 as an apprentice engraver with Midland Engraving in Birmingham. Whilst working at Midland Engraving Mr Oliver trained as an Ornamental Engraver and rose from apprentice to Manager in the space of three years. In his spare time Mr Oliver was trained by a Master Engraver to Carve Rings.
In 1964 Mr Oliver started his own business, employing four people, doing Ornamental Engraving for the Jewellery Trade in Birmingham. This business was incorporated into prestige jewellery company “Joseph Smith” where Mr Oliver was given the position of Manager . In this post he was in charge of eight engravers. Whilst Mr Oliver was doing all of this he studied part time at Birmingham School of Jewellery under Master Engraver “Sid Perkins”, learning Inscription, Heraldry and Seal Engraving. During his studies he achieved a “City & Guilds Advanced Craft Certificate with Distinction” along with many other British Jewellers Association First Prizes for Carving and Engraving.
In 1973 Mr Oliver started his own business again, and in 1978 he became a Lecturer in Engraving at Birmingham School of Jewellery, replacing his old Master, Sid Perkins, on his retirement. Mr Oliver went on to achieve Senior Lecturer status. Whilst this was taking place he continued his quest for skills and studied part time at Stourbridge College learning Copper Wheel Engraving with Master Glass Engraver John Davies.
Neil Oliver Engraving is a unique, high quality engraving company based in Morayshire, Scotland.
We are unique because of the wide variety of engraving skills expertly carried out by our Master Engraver, Mr Neil Oliver. Most engravers train in one or possibly two specific trades, sticking to their chosen trade for all of their working life. This training involves long apprenticeships and lots of hard work. Mr Oliver, however, has trained in many different trades which include the following:-
- Seal engraving-gold
- Seal engraving-stone
- Surface engraving
- Ornamental engraving
- Lettering
- Gun engraving
- Print engraving
- Enamel cutting
- Ring carving
- Die-sinking
- Model making
- Ring manufacture
- Glass engraving-copper wheel
Neil Oliver is best known for his Seal Engraving. He is able to achieve an astonishing amount of detail and quality in his work. In the past all of Mr Oliver’s work has been commissioned through the Jewellery Trade, Shops and Manufacturers, and he has become very well known within that group. Through the Trade, Mr Oliver’s work has been sent all over the world.
Now, through the Internet and his showroom/workshop , we are able to offer you his services direct. This substantially reduces the price you would normally have to pay for his work.
Neil Oliver Engraving is six miles to the south of Forres on the road to Grantown, 16 miles away, and Carrbridge, 20 miles away on the A9, the highway which runs along the central spine of Scotland from South to North.