John Payne, Goldcrafter's of London, working at his bench
John Payne is a native of London's East End. At age 16 John apprenticed with the Wiffen Company, a jewelry manufacturer in London's Hatton Garden district, for five years. This apprenticeship prepared him for all aspects of running a business, designing jewelry, with attention to the quality and detail in his handmade pieces and working with customers. When John was 21, he became a full-fledged jeweler.

John came to the Hendersonville in 1978. He signed on as a bellhop at the Osceola Lake Inn. He explored the countryside and worked at a jewelry store.

In 1984, John opened Goldcrafters of London, a jewelry store specializing in one-of-a-kind, custom designed items on Main Street. John creates unusual contemporary works but is especially skilled at creating beautiful classic styles that can be traced to the previous century. John is fond of telling customers "anything your mind can imagine, we will create."

John's approach to each piece is painstaking. He bends over his heavy wooden jeweler's bench with its mulititude of pigenholes and tool-filled leather apron and carefully works on each element of the piece. He'll create the initial design, and after the customer approves, the result will be a custom-made, original piece that has sentimental value as well as a financial one for the customer.

Goldcrafter's has a beautiful selection of rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and most importantly, diamonds. Goldcrafters also has a large selection of estate jewelry, handmade pieces from all over the world, watches, necklaces, rings and pins.