History
Orginis
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.
New Beginnings
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.
Letter of recommendations
Visit to the United States
In 1949, Haldor made a significant change in his life by moving to the United States to explore opportunities in the jewelry sector. He was quickly offered double the salary he had in Stockholm to work as a jewelry designer. Initially, he worked in Chicago but soon found himself longing for the beauty of Swedish women and the charm of his homeland. Ultimately, Haldor decided to return home.
Love in paris
Haldor ventured out on his own as a goldsmith and quickly found success in Sweden. Shortly after returning to Stockholm, he met the love of his life, a cigarette girl named Martha. In 1952, he married her and whisked her away to the most romantic city in the world, Paris, to celebrate their honeymoon. Haldor’s love for Martha deepened over the years, as did his affection for Paris. He returned to the city several times with Martha, drawing inspiration for our collection, 'Riveted Love.'
1950s-70s
Throughout the decades from the 1950s to his last active years in the 1990s, Haldor achieved great success in creating custom wedding rings and became a prominent seller of gold bracelets, which were tremendously popular during the 50s and 60s. The preferred styles of the 1950s were quite traditional, typically featuring a neat ring rail with a single center stone or a "flower"-inspired setting arrangement.
60s
During the 1960s, a prominent style in Swedish jewelry was the use of pearls. Haldor crafted several commissioned designs for clients, incorporating pearls set in wedding bands. Yellow gold, or Swedish rose gold, remained popular, adding warmth and sophistication to his creations. These designs reflected the era’s affinity for classic beauty while showcasing Haldor's skill in blending tradition with innovation.
70s
During the 1970s, the prominent style in Swedish jewelry shifted to larger, more bulky wedding bands, often featuring large stones arranged in a cluster. Alliansringar (eternity bands) with large diamonds also became popular. Many of the commissioned designs Haldor created during this time included larger diamond rings with prominent 1910s-1920s inspiration. White gold became a dominant choice in the Swedish jewelry sector, reflecting the bold, modern aesthetic of the era. Haldor's designs captured the essence of the 70s, combining sophistication with striking, geometric elements.
Second generation
In 1958, Anders Fors was born and developed an interest in his father's work at the age of 9. He began making silver necklaces and bracelets, which he sold at school. At 19, Anders decided to dedicate his life to his father's craft. In 1977, he founded his own company, Anders Fors Guldatelje, and initially worked alongside his father, Haldor, as an apprentice to learn the craft and expertise. This partnership allowed Anders to gain invaluable experience while continuing the legacy of fine craftsmanship his father had built.
Father & Son
Haldor and Anders worked together in the late 70s and 80s, catering to their clients' wishes with a shared passion for craftsmanship. During this time, Anders was still learning the craft from his father, refining his skills and expanding his knowledge. It was common for both Haldor and Anders to visit clients' homes, showcase collections, and discuss design ideas using pen and paper. As Haldor neared retirement, he gradually referred more of his clients to Anders, helping him build his own company while passing on the expertise and legacy of their craft.
90s Revolutionizing Jewelry Design
The first computer software for jewelry design arrived in the late 90s, revolutionizing the craft. With this new tool, Anders could let his creative mind run free, no longer limited by the traditional constraints of pen and paper. The 90s marked a turning point, as Anders shifted his focus to bespoke jewelry, tailoring designs to his customers' unique tastes. Jewelry styling during this time was more liberated, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern, free-form design elements.
Three Generations, One Legacy
With the passing of one generation, the next takes its place. Haldor passed away in 1999, having had the pleasure of meeting Anders' first-born, Jenny Fors Gentele. Haldor lived through some of the most exciting changes of the 1900s—born in the small Swedish town of Östersund, moving to the capital Stockholm alone in his 20s, and traveling across the Atlantic and the world. While everything around him changed, his craft remained largely untouched for decades, until the introduction of jewelry design software. Just like Anders, Jenny Fors Gentele was introduced to the family craft at an early age, continuing the legacy.