A 21-year-old man is on target to become the region's youngest fully-qualified jeweller.
David Black, of Stockton, is a supervisor with jewellers H Samuel, in the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool.
He had worked there for the past three years and his bosses encouraged him to study for the Jet One qualification through the National Association of Goldsmiths.
It took him nine months to complete his studies, which were successful.
Mr Black is now only one week away from finding out whether or not he has won a Professional Jeweller Diploma following exams to secure a Jet Two qualification.
If successful, his exam results could qualify him as the youngest jeweller in the North-East.
He said: "I spent between ten and 15 hours a week studying for this qualification and just hope it pays off."
The Jet Two course would allow David to carry out valuations.
It would also give him the specialised skills required for grading diamonds
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