Haldor Fors was born in 1916 and grew up in the working-class housing of Östersund, the son of Emil Fors, a locomotive engineer at the local train yard. As one of four siblings with three sisters, Haldor's early life was defined by the values of hard work and determination. At the age of 16 (1934), he began an apprenticeship at the renowned jeweler Olsson & Co in Östersund, considered late since most apprentices started around 11 or 12. However, at the onset of the Second World War in 1939, Haldor was called to serve at the Swedish-Finnish border, forcing him to put his dreams of becoming a goldsmith on hold.

After being released from military service in 1942 due to health concerns, Haldor was able to resume his career at the age of 27. With a recommendation letter from Olsson & Co in Östersund, he moved to Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, where he began working as a goldsmith at Juvelfabriken in 1943 and later at Gredt Sandkvist. This opportunity marked the start of a new chapter in his life, reigniting his passion for jewelry making and craftsmanship.