E-Bench Volume 3 Issue 12

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

A New Method of Learning in a New Millennium

December 2002
Volume 3 Issue 12 circulation over 2,000

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* * * IMPORTANT MESSAGE * * *

Over the past few weeks we have received numerous messages

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At Bench Media we understand the problems associated with

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contact you via e-mail and take our responsibility to protect your

computer seriously. Because of this, we installed virus

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However, many of the new viruses randomly select an e-mail

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We encourage all of our readers to scan their computer for

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addition, we encourage you to monitor all your incoming and

outgoing e-mails for any virus attachments. This will not only

help you keep your files safe, but it will also help protect the rest

of the jewelry community.

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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 you forward all of it without

modification and not just portions of it. This document may NOT

be distributed for profit. E-BENCH is a copyrighted newsletter

and all rights are reserved!

We assure you that your email address is kept strictly
confidential and is not shared with anyone for any 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.

E-BENCH is a BENCH MEDIA Publication

BENCH MEDIA is a B W Simon Company

Bradney W Simon – Publisher
Daniel Spirer - Proofreader

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<> <> <> <> <> TABLE OF CONTENTS <> <> <> <> <>

REVERE’S TIPS FOR JEWELERS

Tips for Jewelers, Who Do Repairs from Alan Revere

FEATURE ARTICLE

Learn how to make your shop more profitable, a new technique,

or brush up on basic skills.

STEWART'S BENCH TIPS

Bench Tips from Stewart’s International School for Jewelers

AT THE PLATINUM BENCH

Tips for working on Platinum from Platinum Guild International

FAVORITE TIPS

Tips and Tricks to make your work on the bench a little easier

and more productive from Bradney W. Simon CMBJ and

E-BENCH Readers.

GERRY’S GEMZ

Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting

WORKSHOP SAFETY FOR JEWELERS

Tips from Charles Lewton-Brian

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<> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <>

“The Jeweler’s Tool of Choice”

Jewelry LaserStar Workstations

Crafford - LaserStar Technologies designs and manufacturers a

complete range of Nd: YAG pulse laser systems for retail and

manufacturing jewelers. LaserStar Workstations are 50

watt/class 1 systems ranging in power from 85 - 120 joules and

are ideal for a wide range of jewelry design, manufacturing, and

repair applications in gold, silver, and platinum. Crafford's team

of highly trained direct sales and bench jeweler applications

specialists are always available to review new applications,

share technical expertise, and provide service and technical

support from our Providence, RI USA manufacturing facility. All

LaserStar Workstations are made in the USA and comply with all

FDA (CDRH), CSA, UL, and CE certification guidelines for

safety. Four models of the LaserStar Workstation are available

to the jewelry marketplace. For more information please

reference our web site at

www.laserstar.net or www.crafford.com

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<> <> <> REVERE’S TIPS FOR JEWELERS <> <> <> <>

Tips for Jewelers Who Do Repairs from Alan Revere

Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts

http://www.revereacademy.com/

Read trade magazines, attend industry seminars and listen to

anyone who wants to give you advice.

Consider all tools from suppliers as raw materials to be

customized for your use.

Never promise to deliver a job before you are certain it will be
finished.

"Well begun is half done." -Aristotle

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<> <> <> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <> <> <> <>

Going far beyond the call of duty, doing more than others expect

- this is what excellence is all about. And it comes from striving,

maintaining the highest standards, looking after the smallest

detail, and going the extra mile. Excellence means caring - it

means making a special effort to do more.

Wynn Davis

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<> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <>

At the Bench: New Book from MJSA/AJM Press

Featuring more than 200 full-color photographs, this essential

bench resource offers step-by-step guides to common—and not

so common—repair and fabrication techniques for gold and

silver jewelry. It also offers basic bench preparation and

practices (including tips for organizing tools and prioritizing work

flow), a guide to taking in repairs, and step-by-step projects

ranging from resizing two-tone rings to setting fancy shapes,

from building a bracelet hinge to basic chasing and repoussé.

Published by MJSA/AJM Press, a division of Manufacturing

Jewelers & Suppliers of America.

Visit http://www.ajm-magazine.com/atb/index.htm for a preview.

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<> <> <> <> <> FEATURE ARTICLE <> <> <> <> <>

'TWAS THE MONTH AFTER CHRISTMAS

by Bradney W. Simon

'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 bench jeweler 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 to be 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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<> <> <> <> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <> <> <> <>

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to

prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a

future.

Jeremiah 29: 11

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<> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <>

MENTAL PATIENT MAKES $50,000 a year TWISTING WIRE!!!

Yes, it's true and I can show you how to make wire jewelry and

do the same thing. You can make money right from your kitchen

table making wire jewelry and still keep your day job.

Please send a blank email to

mailto:wireworker@royal-responder.com

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<> <> <> <> <> STEWART'S BENCH TIPS <> <> <> <> <>

Bench Tips from Stewart’s International School for Jewelers

http://www.stewartsintlschool.com/

By Jim Stewart

To polish platinum, you must use a crisscross pattern when you

file, emery and polish. Use 600 grit silicon carbide paper and

then 1000 grit. Next polish with Tripoli on separate stitched

green muslin buff using GRAY 800, then WHITE 1500 and then

WHITE 8000. Then buff on a loose green muslin buff charged

with Carrot or Blue Rouge.

If you do all these steps and you are still getting lines on the

surface of the jewelry, it is because your buff is contaminated

with a build-up of polishing compound and metal, which is

scratching lines in the ring. You must clean this build-up off

regularly using a coarse dressing stone while the buff is

spinning.

It is important to have a clean work area with separate files,

emery paper, and buffs used only on platinum.

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<> <> <> <> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <> <> <> <>

Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being

open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most

from your talent.

Nolan Ryan

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<> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <>

Turn Your Computer into a Multi-Media Training Center

From the publisher of E-BENCH and BENCH Magazine comes

an exciting new educational product – BENCH ROM

The Multi-Media Training Experience for Bench Jewelers.

BENCH ROM is a complete multi-media educational experience

presented on CD ROM. Each annual subscription includes four

CD ROMs providing you quality instruction right in your shop,

with over 40 minutes of video showing the actual work in

progress in each issue. BENCH ROM is fully interactive allowing

you to review only the sections that you want. In addition, an

article you can print accompanies each project to review at your

bench. Each Quarterly Issue is packed with information on

Stone Setting, Jewelry Repair, Custom Jewelry Manufacturing,

and BENCH TIPS!

Don’t just read about it in an article

See the Actual Work Performed by Master Jewelers

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2 years $150 - Only $18.75 per CD ROM

For more information or to subscribe log onto:

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BENCH ROM is the Affordable Alternative

to Learning New Skills and Developing Your Career

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<> <> <> <> AT THE PLATINUM BENCH <> <> <> <>

Tips for working on Platinum from Jurgen J. Maerz CMBJ,

director of technical education for Platinum Guild International

http://www.pgi-platinum-tech.com

In a platinum application, welding is different from brazing

because platinum is joined together by heating the metal until it

is fused together. Therefore, as a guideline, you should weld

when sizing a ring. However, it is not possible to torch-weld

different Pt alloys together as they have different melting points.

Did you know that it takes 10 tons of ore to produce one ounce

of platinum?

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<> <> <> <> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <> <> <> <>

The leading rule for man is diligence. Leave nothing for

tomorrow which can be done today.

Abraham Lincoln

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<> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <>

Jewelry Dealers World Trade Network

http://www.JewelryDealersNetwork.com/

<> <> <> 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.

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<> <> <> <> <> <> FAVORITE TIPS <> <> <> <> <> <>

When filing areas of critical fit or precise edges, it is wise to lift

the file on the backstroke and take careful, deliberate cutting

strokes. This technique permits constant visual evaluation as

the desired surface or shape develops.

< < < < < <> > > > > >

Change the filters on your polishing machine regularly. This not

only helps profits by accumulating more precious metal dust, but

also improves the health of the workers by not having to breathe

all the dust and dirt into their lungs. If dust accumulates on the

wall near where the air comes out of the dust collector, you have

waited too long to clean it out and replace the filter.

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Jewelers need to keep in mind that change is inevitable.

Customer’s requests are not just an interruption to their work,

they ARE their work. It is the responsibility of the jeweler to

balance the salesperson’s pressure for priority action, and

completing work already in the shop. They should then see that

any additional work is executed with the minimum disruption.

< < < < < <> > > > > >

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.

< < < < < <> > > > > >

Old needle files make great burnishers. The various shapes of

files provide you with an almost endless assortment of different

shaped burnishers. To make the burnisher, grind the teeth off

the old file being careful that you do not overheat it, as you do

not want to remove the temper from the metal. Then polish the

metal to a high shine.

< < < < < <> > > > > >

A mistake many beginning jewelers make when bead setting is

to cut the seat too shallow, thereby not allowing them to form

adequate beads to hold the stones. However, be careful when

cutting that you do not cut all the way through the metal. As a

general rule, cut the seat deep enough so that the table of the

stone will set just below the plate surface.

< < < < < <> > > > > >

When channel setting place a strip of tape over the stones. This

will keep them from bouncing out of place when hammering.

< < < < < <> > > > > >

On heavy prongs, use a small ball bur to carve a hollow area on

the inside of the prong. This will make it easier to bend the

prong over fragile stones.

< < < < < <> > > > > >

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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<> <> <> <> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <> <> <> <>

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from

achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the

wrong mental attitude.

Thomas Jefferson

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<> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <>

SIMON SEZ SEMINARS

Bradney W. Simon is a JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler with

over 25 years experience on the bench. He is the Editor and

Publisher of E-BENCH, BENCH Magazine, and BENCH ROM,

and is an accomplished platform speaker, providing Keynote

Speeches, and Educational Seminars.

Topics include:
     Shop Management
     Bench Tips
     Jewelry Demonstrations

For information on having him speak for your organization, log

onto; http://www.BWSimon.com/SimonSez Seminars

<> <> <> <> SEMINAR SCHEDULE <> <> <> <>

January 15 RJO Reno, NV

February 22 IJO Washington DC

March 2 – 4 MJSA New York, NY

March 9 OJA Portland, OR

March 16 NWJA Seattle, WA

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<> <> <> <> <> GERRY’S GEMZ <> <> <> <> <>

Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting

http://www.gemzdiamondsetting.com/index.html

By Gerald N. Lewy

The happiest diamond setter or jeweller is the guy/gal who is

comfortable in their bench environment!

Keep all of your tools within close reach and don't waste

precious time scrounging for your tools all over your bench.

When you are finished with certain tools, put them away, and

keep only the ones you need in close hand reach.

After every 1/2 hour stand up and walk around or take a coffee

break. This will give your legs time to exercise and give your

mind a rest also.

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<> <> <> <> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <> <> <> <>

The great composer does not set to work because he is inspired

but becomes inspired because he is working. Beethoven, Bach,

and Mozart settled down day after day to compose with as much

regularity as an accountant settles down each day to his figures.

They didn't waste time waiting for inspiration.

Ernest Newman

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<> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <>

If You Like E-Bench

YOU WILL LOVE BENCH MAGAZINE

BENCH Magazine, a quarterly publication from BENCH Media,

is Written BY Bench Jewelers FOR Bench Jewelers. Each issue

is filled with high-quality instructional articles by working jewelers

who are masters of their craft.

From Basic Techniques to Advanced Applications -
From Centuries Old Procedures to the Latest in Technological

Advancements, BENCH Magazine provides accurate informative

instruction from Professional Bench Jewelers. In addition, each

issue contains a Bench Tip section where you will learn tricks of

the trade from the magazine staff and jewelers around the world.

Subscriptions are free to jewelers in the USA and Canada,

and only $40 per year for overseas delivery.

To subscribe go to http://www.BWSimon.com/BENCH

BENCH and E-BENCH - Training Jewelers Worldwide

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<> <> <> WORKSHOP SAFETY FOR JEWELERS <> <> <>

Workshop Safety Tips From Charles Lewton-Brian

You can see some dust in the air. However, the smaller,

invisible particles are the most dangerous. These particles,

especially fibrous or jagged ones like asbestos, cotton, and

silica, are stored between the air sacs of the lungs. That is, once

you breathe them in, they will never escape again. Once there,

they cause scarring, thickening of tissues, eventually stressing

the heart because it is more work to breathe. Cristobalite (a

rather vicious form of silica) exposure is considered a real

silicosis hazard. It is a major component of casting investment.

Fumes are small particles of a material, often from metals that

have been melted. These may be very tiny and can be breathed

deeply into the lungs. Metal fume fever can be a real problem

with molten metals. Metal fume fever can be caused by zinc,

copper, magnesium, aluminum, copper, antimony, cadmium,

iron, and silver.

Dilution ventilation is used in many shops, where you open a

window next to you, and another one elsewhere, so that air

passes you on its way out. Dilution ventilation is not generally an

effective approach. What we really want most of the time is local

ventilation, which means a sucking device, slot or tube very

close to the working area that is generating the dust, mist or

fumes so they are sucked away as they are produced: removed

entirely from the workshop and vented safely (i.e. not near a

makeup air intake).

For more information on Workshop safety l Charles Lewton-Brian

log onto: http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/safety.htm

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<> <> <> <> <> Thank You for Reading <> <> <> <> <>

We are on the World Wide Web.
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.

<> <> <> SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION <> <> <>

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mailto:E-Bench@BWSimon.com

< < < < < <> > > > > >

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

BENCH MEDIA
106 South Pinepoint Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29302
864 - 680 - 4416
http://www.BWSimon.com

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