<> <> <> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
A New Method of Learning in a New
Millennium
January 2001
Volume 2 Issue 1
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<> <> <> <> ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER <> <> <> <>
E-BENCH is a FREE monthly newsletter
for
Retail Jewelry Store Owners, Shop Managers, Bench Jewelers,
and Anyone
Else That Is Interested.
We encourage you to forward this
newsletter to anyone that you
think may benefit from it, provided that you
forward all of it
without modification and not just portions of it. This document
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reason.
E-BENCH is sent to you each month
FREE of charge because of
the generous support of our
SPONSORS. Please support
them
with your purchases.
Thanks – Bradney W. Simon CMBJ,
CMP
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<> <> <> <> <> PLATINUM SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <>
GESSWEIN & Co, Inc.
Tools, Equipment, and Supplies for
Jewelry Manufacturing
Since 1914
> > > Gesswein 2000 Jewelers'
Catalog < < <
Gesswein's 432-Page full-color
jewelers' catalog features over
10,000 tools, equipment, and supplies
for the jewelry
manufacturing industry. In it you'll
find everything you need for
making and repairing jewelry.
Don't miss out!
E-Mail Gesswein at info@gesswein.com
for your free catalog—
an absolute must have for finding
"The Right Tools"
Or if you prefer, browse through
Gesswein's Web Site:
The Right Tools – Are Right Here
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BENCH -
The Magazine
Coming this summer.
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<> <> <> <> <> TABLE OF CONTENTS <> <> <> <> <>
RUN YOUR SHOP WITHOUT IT RUNNING
YOU
A feature article on shop management
issues
QUOTES WORTH RE-QUOTING
Motivational insights from some of
the best
SIMON SEZ
See and hear Bradney W. Simon in
person
TRADE SECRETS
Tips and Tricks to make your work on
the bench a little easier
and more productive
ON THE BENCH
Learn a new technique or brush up on
basic skills with this
feature article.
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<> <> RUN YOUR SHOP WITHOUT IT RUNNING
YOU <> <>
‘Twas the Month After Christmas
‘Twas the month after Christmas, and
all through the Shop.
Not a jeweler was stirring, in a chair he had
flopped.
The shop is a mess, and the bench is a clutter.
“I can’t find a
thing,” the jeweler had muttered.
When out in the store there arose
such a clatter.
He sprung from his bench to see what was the matter.
Away
to the front, he flew from the shop.
Knocked over his lunch, and spilled soda
pop.
Then, what to his wondering eyes
should appear?
But from the refiner a container, Oh Dear!
What a wonderful
time to clean up the shop.
Now, where in the world did he put the mop?
More rapid than eagles he
flew.
Cleaning the shop was his job to do.
He spoke not a word, but went
straight to his chore.
He let no one disturb him by shutting the door.
In all the dirt that lay on the
floor.
Was silver, gold, platinum and more.
The filings, and polishings,
and such.
It all has great value, though it don’t look like much.
Laying a finger aside of the
broom.
He swept up the dirt from the entire room.
To the top of the bench,
then on to the wall.
Now sweep away!
Sweep away! Sweep away
all!
Then on to the polisher, down into
its deeps.
He brushed to gather all of the sweeps.
By the time he had
finished, from his head to his foot.
His clothes were all dirty with what
looked like soot.
The sweeps were all gathered, the job
was complete.
The envelopes were filed, everything looked real neat.
The
tools were all hung on the bench with care.
When they are needed, he’ll know
they are there.
The shop is now done, the sweeping
concluded.
Organizing the tools was even included.
The gold was all
packaged and sent to the refiner.
Now, Profits will increase, Oh what could
be finer.
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<> <> <> <> <> <> GOLD SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <> <>
Impact Specialties
Introducing our new form filling and
repair management software
> > > Impact Repairware Software < < <
We have developed this new software
to be used in conjunction with our laser repair envelopes, cut sheets and cards.
This software will enable jewelers to computerize their process. Impact Repairware features repair
location tracking, parts and inventory database, customer database, special
occasion tracking and a variety of reports. It is available in single user or
multi user and features a watch repair and jewelry repair form. Impact Repairware can be used to provide
estimates, appraisals and receipts.
For more information or to receive a
FREE trial disk, visit us at
http://www.isiprint.com
or call Impact at 800 – 543 – 4264
Impact –
For All Your Jewelry Store Form Needs
=================================================
<> <> <> <> QUOTES WORTH RE-QUOTING <> <> <> <>
The important thing is not that we
can live on hope alone,
but that life is not worth living without it.
Harvey Milk
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Write it on your heart that every day
is the best day of the year.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Keough’s Commandments for
Losing:
1. Quit taking risk.
2. Be content.
3. Before you make any move, always
ask yourself, “What will the investors think?”
4. Avoid change.
5. Be totally inflexible – stay on
the course, no matter what.
6. Rely totally on research and
experts to make decisions for you.
7. Be more concerned with status than
service.
8. Concentrate on your competitor
instead of your customers.
9. Put yourself first in everything
you do, ahead of your customers and suppliers.
10. Memorize the formula “TGE –
That’s Good Enough” to set a ceiling on quality.
Then add a bonus rule
1. Find a way to rationalize the
slowing growth.
Don Keough, CEO, Coca-Cola
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dreams plus desire to achieve them
equals success.
Robbie Romieser
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Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of
your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.
The Bible – James 1:2-4
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<> <> <> <> <> SIMON SEZ SEMINARS <> <> <> <> <>
Bradney W. Simon is an accomplished
platform speaker; providing Keynote Speeches, and Educational Seminars.
For information on having him speak
for your organization log onto; http://www.BWSimon.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> > > > JCK Show -
Las Vegas < < < <
May 31, 2001
Bradney Simon will be speaking at the
JCK Las Vegas Show
For more information and to register
contact JCK Shows:
http://jck.expoplanner.com/vegas.html
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Two Great Seminars for Jewelers
=> Run Your Shop Without It
Running You
This seminar will help jewelers
increase profits by operating
an efficient jewelry repair shop. It contains innovative and
practical
information that you can use in your store. Topics
include: Pricing, Take-In
Procedures, Productivity in the Shop,
Employee Development, and Much
More.
=> Trade Secrets
Tips, Tricks,
& Techniques of a Master Jeweler
Making and repairing jewelry
encompasses only a few basic techniques.
However, there are numerous tricks to use in mastering those techniques.
In this interactive seminar you will learn tips, tricks, and techniques on
jewelry repair, fabrication, and stone setting from a JA Certified Master Bench
Jeweler.
> > > > Attend Both Seminars < < < <
Run Your Shop on Friday and Trade
Secrets on Saturday
Atlanta GA < > March 9 & 10, 2001
Oakland CA < > March 23 & 24, 2001
Denver CO < > April 6 & 7, 2001
Washington DC < > May 4 & 5, 2001
Seattle WA < > August 2001
Chicago IL < > September 2001
For additional information on these
seminar go to
http://www.bwsimon.com/SimonSezSeminars/SimonSez.htm
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<> <> <> <> <> <> GOLD SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <> <>
HAVE YOU INVENTED A NEW PRODUCT
OR INNOVATIVE IDEA?
Now you can have it evaluated by
professional marketing experts.
MVI Marketing LTD., THE Market
Intelligence Company for the Worldwide Gem and Jewelry Industries, is now
offering its unique NEW PRODUCT EVALUATION (NPE) directly to bench jewelers and
independent retailers.
MVI’s NPE will review your innovation
in complete confidence and provide you with a report, honestly evaluating its
commercial potential and marketing options.
MVI is the only business consulting
organization working exclusively in the worldwide gem and jewelry industries.
For more information about MVI’s New Product Evaluation visit us at www.mvimarketing.com
or email us at info@mvimarketing.com
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<> <> <> <> <> TRADE SECRETS <> <> <> <> <>
Pearl Gluing Tweezers
Drill a 1mm hole through one jaw of a
pair of self locking tweezers, and glue a leather or felt pad to the inside of
the other jaw. When gluing a pearl,
place the pad over the pearl and the other jaw under the mounting to clamp the
pearl in place while the glue dries.
The post on earrings can be placed through the hole in the jaw to clamp
pearl earrings.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Before beginning to set any stone
remove all tools from your lap tray.
Even a diamond can be chipped it if hits a hard steel tool when
dropped.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When channel-setting stones into a
carved channel, undercut the wall on the outside of the curve. Then, secure the stones by hammering or
bending the inside channel wall over the stones. Although some mounting designs will not
allow you to set in this manner it is more efficient than trying to secure the
stones with the metal from the outside wall. It is easier to stretch metal, than to
compress it. When metal is forced
inward in a curve, it tends to buckle, or spring back. In addition, pressing in on the stones
to tighten them may force the stones together causing them to chip.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Use a small ball of steel wool to
apply oxidation solutions to large areas.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grind a bevel on the end of the shank
on all your burs. Then they will be
easier to insert into your flex-shaft handpiece when using.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Put lightweight machine oil in a
plastic dispenser bottle with a needle tip, the kind made to dispense liquid
flux. This makes it easy to
apply the small amount of oil needed on omega backs and other hinges, the slide
safety on bangle bracelets, tongue catches, and anywhere else you need a small
amount of oil.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To help hold wedding sets together in
perfect alignment while soldering together, hold the rings together in your
fingers. Next, place a small amount
of super glue between the rings at their tops. Then, clamp the rings as you
normally would and solder the back of the shanks together. If any glue remains when finished soak
in acetone to remove.
Note: before performing this
procedure make certain your soldering area is well ventilated. When heated, super glue will emit toxic
vapors.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you have a tip you would like to
share with our readers send it
in an e-mail to mailto:Brad@BWSimon.com
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<> <> <> <> <> ON THE
BENCH <> <> <> <> <> <>
Royal Flush
A sign on the side of a plumber’s
truck read, “In our business a Flush is better than a Full-House.” Thankfully this is not the type of
‘flush’ this article is about.
Instead, this article is about a style of setting small stones that has
become very popular in recent years.
The stones are set down into the
metal without beads or prongs. The
tables of the stones are set even with the metal surface in a modified
bezel. This is where the name
‘Flush Set’ is derived from, as the stones are set flush with the metal
surface.
Flush setting is an advanced setting
procedure. Precise craftsmanship
must be executed throughout the process to accomplish the desired look.
First, lay out the stones in the
desired pattern, and mark the metal in the center of each stone. Rubbing beeswax over the metal surface
and placing the stones table down will help in positioning the stones.
Next, drill a hole through the metal
using a small drill bit (less than 1/2 the diameter of the stone) on each of
your center marks. The more
accurate you drill, the less work you will have to do later. Then, inspect your work to make certain
the holes are all precisely drilled where the center of each stone is to
be.
If any holes are off center, you will
need to enlarge the hole to center it.
Use a krause bur to cut the side of the hole towards the center of the
stone. Once all the holes are
centered, re-drill the hole with a larger drill bit. Use a drill bit 2/3 the diameter of the
stone, and drill through the metal exactly where the center of the stone is to
be.
Then cut azures on the backside of
the metal to cleanup the holes. See
the article in E-BENCH Volume 1 Issue 11, November 2000 for information on
cutting azures.
http://www.BWSimon.com/E-BENCH/Volume1Issue11
To cut the seat for the stones begin
with a straight side setting bur one size smaller than the diameter of the
stone. For example, if your stone
is 2.5 mm in diameter select the 2.3 mm bur. Cut the seat to a depth that when set
the stone’s table will be even with the metal.
Then, use a hart bur the same
diameter or slightly smaller than the stone. Carefully undercut the seat to allow the
stone to snuggly fit into the seat.
Begin by holding the bur at a 45-degree angle and cut into one side of
the seat. Then with a steady hand,
straighten the bur to a 90-degree angle undercutting the opposite side of the
seat. The shank of the bur must be
held precisely at a 90-degree angle to the metal surface or else the seat will
be cut on an angle and the stone cannot be set straight. Undercutting the seat in this manner
allows you to leave extra metal above the girdle of the stone to use in
tightening it.
Cutting the seat is the most
important part of this setting procedure.
Cut the seat too large and you will not be able to tighten the stone
without marring the surface of the metal.
Cut the seat too small and you may chip the stone trying to force it into
its seat.
Next, lay the stone into its seat and
press it into place with a brass pusher.
The stone should fit snuggly in its seat.
Using a small highly polished
burnisher rub metal down and over the edge of the stone. Hold the burnisher at a 45-degree angle
and rub around the top edge of the hole.
Due to the process of tightening the stone; some setters refer to this
setting technique as ‘Rub Down Setting’ instead of ‘Flush Setting’.
Some jewelers use a hammer and punch
or a hammer handpiece with their flex-shaft to hammer the metal down over the
stone. As a result, this setting
technique is sometimes referred to as ‘Hammer Set’. If you use this technique be certain to
hold the punch at a 45 degree angle to the metal surface and tap lightly ONLY on
the edge of the metal until it is worked down over the stone.
Do not attempt to tighten the stone
by hammering on the metal surface forcing metal over the stone. This causes a dip in the surface
surrounding the stone, resulting in an unsatisfactory appearance. Burnishing the metal over the stone is
the preferred method of tightening the stone. If you cut the seat properly you will
not need to use a hammer.
This setting procedure should result
in the stone set down in the metal with a highly polished beveled rim
surrounding the stone. If you play
your hand right, you can trump this technique and deal yourself a truly Royal
Flush Set Stone.
=================================================
<> <> <> <> <> SILVER SPONSORS <> <> <> <> <>
Namano / Southeastern Findings
Service to the Manufacturing Jeweler
We are Findings, Diamonds, Wedding
Bands, Jewelry Boxes,
Platinum, Batteries, Tools, and So
Much More.
Greater Selection -
Expanded Inventory - No Minimum Order
Call 1-800-282-8285 or visit us on
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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jewelry Dealers World Trade Net
<> <> <> Bench Jeweler Discussion Channel <> <> <>
Ask questions, share tips, and take part in the on going discussions, or just read and take in all the advice from many excellent Jewelers from around the world.
Membership includes: Many topical Discussion Channels,
plus you may buy, sell and trade on the Buy/Sell Channels, Plus Much More.
List B W Simon as your sponsor on the membership application
and you will receive:
** ** 30 DAYS FREE MEMBERSHIP ** **
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Place Your Ad Here
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For Information and rates on placing an Ad
Go to: http://bwsimon.com/E-BENCH/E-BenchSponsors.htm
=================================================
<> <> <> <> <> Thank You for Reading <> <> <> <> <>
Visit us at http://www.BWSimon.com
A complete archive of back
issues of E-BENCH is located there.
Visit often, as we will be making
changes to our site,
adding additional useful information for bench
jewelers.
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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Information provided in this document
is provided ‘As Is’ without warranty of any kind, either expressed or
implied. This publication is
designed to provide accurate and authoritative information concerning the
subject matter covered. It is
provided with the understanding that the author or publisher is not engaged in
rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert
assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should
be
sought.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For editorial suggestions, comments,
ideas or requests,
please send an E-Mail to Bradney W. Simon
mailto:Brad@BWSimon.com
Copyrighted, 2000, B W Simon. All rights reserved.
B W Simon
1066 Hopkins
St.
Spartanburg, SC 29307
864-921-0827
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