Here is your next issue of E-BENCH.
Thanks for subscribing.
<=> <=> <=> <=> E-BENCH <=> <=> <=> <=>
The E-Mail Newsletter for Bench Jewelers
January 2004
Volume 5 Issue 1 circulation over
2,700
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> 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
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> 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
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
Exciting New Show for Bench Jewelers
The first annual Bench Jewelers Conference &
Expo will be held April 23 – 25, 2004 in
Chicago IL, and will include Workshops,
Seminars, Demonstrations, Networking
Opportunities, and an Exhibitor Show.
An all-day Educational Conference will begin
the weekend events on Friday April 23rd. This
will include seminars, workshops, and a panel
discussion. Conference Speakers include:
Jurgen Maerz, Blaine Lewis, Wayne Emery, Bob
Staley, Gerry Lewy, Steve Satow, Chuck Koehler,
Joe Lovato, and Liz Brehmer. Topics will
include: CAD-CAM, Stone Setting, Jewelry
Repair, Laser Welding, Fabrication, and
Casting.
Then on Saturday and Sunday April 24th & 25th a
Suppliers Expo will highlight the weekend.
Industry suppliers of Tools & Equipment,
Findings, Precious Metals, Refining Services,
Gemstones & Diamonds, Continuing Education, and
other Trade Services will display and
demonstrate their products and services. In
addition demonstrations and seminars will be
held on the Show Floor. Banquets on both
Friday and Saturday night and other meals
during the Conference provide networking
opportunities and include a Keynote address by
Bradney W. Simon founder and president of Bench
Media.
Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo will be held
at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest Hotel &
Conference Center in Arlington Heights, IL.
Special Room Rates are available for Conference
attendees.
Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo is open to all
Bench Jewelers including Professional and
Serious Hobbyist. Admission to the Exhibit
Floor on Saturday & Sunday is FREE with
advanced registration or $10 at the door. A
nominal fee will be charged for the Educational
Conference on Friday and for all Meals during
the weekend.
All activities during this three day event will
be directed toward the Bench Jeweler, Making
This The One Show In 2004 That You Don’t Want
To Miss.
Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo is presented
by Bench Media, Publisher of E-BENCH, BENCH
Magazine, and BENCH ROM.
For More Information log onto:
or write to
Bench Media
106 South Pinepoint Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29302
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> REVERE’S TIPS FOR JEWELERS <=> <=>
Tips for Jewelers Who Do Repairs
from Alan Revere
Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts
Avoid marring a surface by keeping abrasives
moving and by changing directions constantly.
Select the largest tool possible to do a job:
file, bur, sanding stick, hammer, etc.
Harden earring posts, pin tongs, and clasps by rubbing with a burnisher.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
Procrastination is a close relative of
incompetence and a handmaiden of inefficiency.
Alec MacKenzie
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
Raffle Tickets
WIN a J-2R Casting Machine
Rio Grande has generously offered the Orchid
community and The Ganoksin Project a J2R
Casting Machine. The winner will be announced
at the 8th Annual Tucson Orchid Dinner during
the Tucson Gem Shows - February 6, 2004. You
do not have to attend the dinner in order to
win. Raffle tickets are only $40 per ticket
with a limit of 200 tickets to be sold in
total.
You can get your chance to win the J-2R casting
machine by buying a raffle tickets at:
The
Ganoksin Project
www.ganoksin.com
The Gem and Jewelry
Pre-Eminent Online Resources
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> FEATURE ARTICLE <=> <=> <=>
What You Don’t Know …
A Bench Jeweler’s Guide to Continual Learning
Without a doubt Shawn was one of the finest
craftsmen I have had the privilege to work
with. One day, soon after Shawn came to work
for me I asked him if he knew how to work on
platinum. He said he did so, excitedly, I gave
him a platinum ring to size.
Without giving it any thought I handed him my
welding goggles and explained that these were
the only ones I had, and the next time I was
out I would get him a pair.
It wasn’t long before I heard; “Wow, this is
great!”
“What’s so great, Shawn?” I asked.
“Wearing welding goggles while soldering
platinum,” he responded.
“I thought you said you had worked on platinum
before.” I responded.
“I have,” Shawn said.
“How could you work on platinum, if you never
soldered with welding goggles?” I inquired.
He told me that he would get everything ready
to solder and force a small paillon of solder
into the joint. Then he would begin to heat
the ring. When the ring got so hot that he
could no longer stand to look at it, he would
close his eyes and count to 10. When he got to
10, he would remove the torch, allow the ring
to cool, and then look to see if the solder had
flown. If not, he would repeat the process
counting this time to 15, allow the ring to
cool and see if the solder had flown. If not
he would repeat the process again counting to
20. He would continue increasing his count by
five until the solder had flown completely
through the joint.
In just a couple of weeks, Shawn was producing
some of the most beautiful platinum work I had
ever seen. If you learned how to solder with
your eyes closed - just imagine what you could
do with them open. Not only was he producing
better work, he was also increasing
productivity. Just imagine how much time Shawn
was wasting closing his eyes trying to get the
solder to flow.
We have all heard the statement: What you don't
know won't hurt you. Nothing can be further
from the truth! What you don't know can have a
detrimental effect on your business, on your
career, and definitely on your productivity.
How many times have we acted like Shawn? We
try to accomplish a task, set a goal for
ourselves, or try to do a job, but we fail
because we did not know there was an easier,
faster, or better way to accomplish our task.
Many times, we are not productive in the shop
and we are not successful in our careers
because we do not know what it is we need in
order to be successful or more productive.
The great American industrialist Henry Ford
said “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether
twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning
today is young. The greatest thing in life is
to keep your mind young!” God has given each
of us a mind to use, and when we use it, it
stays active, it stays sharp, it stays alive,
and it stays young.
We have seen an explosion of information during
our lifetime. Knowledge is doubling every few
years. If we do not continually learn new
things we will soon fall behind. Each of us
needs to continue to learn, in order to
continually improve our skills. There are
plenty of resources for us to draw from,
including magazines, books, videos, seminars,
schools, and trade shows. When you continue to
learn new methods to do your work and new ways
to approach your work, you will not only
improve your skills and quality of work, but
you will also improve your productivity. As
you find easier, faster, or better methods to
accomplish your work, your productivity will
increase.
You cannot do what your customers want done if
you do not know how to do it. You cannot be
efficient in the shop if you do not know the
best way to do a specific task. As you learn,
grow, and discover new things you will become
more productive and more skilled.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
In his heart, a man plans his course, but the
Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16: 9
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> 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
ongoing discussions, or just read and take in
all the advice from many excellent jewelers
from around the world.
Membership includes: Topical Discussion
Channels, including
Bench Work, CAD-CAM, Stone Setting, and many
more. You may buy, sell and trade on the
Buy/Sell Channels, Plus Much More.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> STEWART'S BENCH TIPS <=> <=>
Bench Tips from Stewart’s International School
for Jewelers
http://www.stewartsintlschool.com/
How can you tell whether your shears are RIGHT
hand or LEFT hand?
Draw a straight line on a piece of paper and
hold it in front of you. Take the shears in
your right hand and cut along the line. If you
can see the line where you are cutting, you
have RIGHT hand shears. If you can't see the
line because the jaw is in the way, you have
LEFT hand shears.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
You measure the size of the accomplishment by
the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your
goals.
Booker T. Washington
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
BENCH ROM
The Multi-Media Magazine for Bench Jewelers
BENCH ROM is an affordable method to learn new
skills and develop your career.
Discover New Techniques
Learn New Tips to Improve Your Work
See New Products and Technologies Demonstrated
All right from your home or shop without having
to travel to a seminar or trade show.
“Bench Rom is great,” says jeweler Bill Scores
“It’s like being in the shop of a Master
Jeweler and watching over his shoulder.”
Log onto www.BWSimon.com/BenchRom for more
information or to subscribe
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> 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
FTC Guide for Marking Platinum Jewelry
The FTC Platinum Guide for marking jewelry made
wholly, or in part, of platinum provides that
items consisting of:
* 950 parts or more per thousand of pure
platinum can be marked "Platinum" without the
use of any qualifying statements;
* 850 to 950 parts per thousand can be marked
in accordance with international standards of
"950 Plat." or "950 Pt.," "900 Plat." or "900
Pt.,"
* "850 Plat." or "850 Pt.” (The revised guide
permits the use of a two or four letter
abbreviation for platinum);
* 500 parts per thousand of pure platinum and
at least 950 parts per thousand platinum group
metals can be marked with the parts per
thousand of pure platinum, followed by the
parts per thousand of each platinum group metal
(example: "600Plat.400Irid." or "600Pt.400Ir.”
and less than 500 parts per thousand pure
platinum cannot be marked with the word
platinum or any abbreviation thereof.
Copies of the Platinum Guide Federal Register
notice and the entire Jewelry Guides are
available from the FTC's web site at
http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's
Public reference Branch, Room 130, 6th Street
and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington D.C.
20580; (202) 326-2222
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
I have more respect for the fellow with a
single idea who gets there than for the fellow
with a thousand ideas who does nothing.
Thomas Edison
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
New from MJSA/AJM Press
The AJM Guide to Lost-Wax Casting
Learn from the masters how to achieve smooth,
porosity-free castings! The AJM Guide to Lost-
Wax Casting offers an abundance of best
practices, handy tips, and troubleshooting
techniques. How to create trouble-free master
models to proper breakout procedures.
Contributing experts include:
Charles Lewton-Brain, Jurgen J. Maerz,
Gregg Todd, Michael Bondanza, and many more.
For sample chapters and more information, go to
http://www.ajm-magazine.com/pub_press.php
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> FAVORITE TIPS <=> <=> <=>
When setting soft stones such as
tanzanite,
coat the stone with clear fingernail
polish.
The fingernail polish is not hard
enough to
completely protect the stone, but it
will give
some protection from abrasion. It will also
serve as an indicator: if you scrape the
fingernail polish you are too close and
you
should back off! After setting and polishing,
soak in acetone.
DO NOT do this with stones such as
emerald
where the acetone will remove possible
oiling.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
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.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
After cutting a seat for a stone, clean the
burs off the prongs before placing the stone
into the crown. Use a graver to cut the burs
away, or scrape them off with your tweezers.
Then, polish the inside of the crown before
continuing the setting process.
It's the little "extra" steps that make the
ordinary into extraordinary.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
Do not solder the jump ring
attaching the clasp
directly to the chain. The jump ring will not
be able to turn so all of
the wear and tear
will be at one point on the
jump ring.
Instead, link the jumpring
through the end link
on the chain and then
through the clasp. This
allows the jump ring to
turn freely,
distributing the wear
evenly around the jump
ring, thereby extending the
life of the jump
ring.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
When repairing hinges in
bracelets such as
tennis bracelets, often the
center knuckle is
worn as well as the hinge
pin. Build up the
hinge knuckle by fusing
additional metal to it
or attach a new one by
fusing the metal
together, rather then
soldering. When you
solder the new hinge pin in
place, there is no
solder on the inside of the
hinge that can flow
and freeze the link.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
Over time, the hinge on an
adjustable shank
becomes loose and the holes
begin to wear oval
allowing "play"
on the hinge. To alleviate
this you CAN NOT plug the
hole by soldering a
piece of gold and
re-drilling the hole. The
shanks are assembled of
several pieces and the
heat will ruin the
shank. Instead, re-drill
the hole with a slightly
larger drill bit then
re-rivet the hinge with a
larger hinge pin.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
If you have a tip you would like to share with
our readers send it in an e-mail to
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
An organization that is committed to creative
collaboration will ride the wave of the future.
They will go beyond the realm of assumptive
thinking and welcome the dawn of innovation …
because there is nothing more empowering than
an idea whose time has come.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
Run Your Shop Without It Running You
A Practical Guide To Efficient Shop Management
With over one hundred and fifty pages of
information, illustrations, and worksheets,
this is the most comprehensive book on Shop
Management available today.
This Valuable Guide Is A Must In Every Retail
Jewelry Store
“For too many years, Simon says, jewelry
storeowners have believed the fallacy the shop
can’t be a profit center. He destroys that
notion step-by-step with a practical book that
shows owners and shop mangers the keys to
profitability.”
Professional
Jeweler Magazine
Only $39.95 (US dollars)
plus S&H - $4.00 US, $10 International
Send your order and check to:
B W Simon
106 S. Pinepoint Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29307
U S A
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> GERRY’S GEMZ <=> <=> <=>
Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting
http://www.gemzdiamondsetting.com/index.html
by Gerald N. Lewy
If you are working on a plate for bead setting,
you should take preventive measures for eye
glare, by rubbing emery paper on the gold
surface.
The correct depth of a diamond or stone for
bead setting is to have the stone’s table
located just at the surface of the metal. The
difference in height of the table to the girdle
is the correct depth for raising beads.
Use a smaller round bur at the underside of the
holes to counter-sink them. This will remove
any burs left from drilling and it will give a
brighter finish to the underside of the
jewelry.
Before setting a diamond or other small stone
down into the metal, open up the base of the
hole with a small round bur. Some diamonds
have a deeper pavilion and will cause trouble
for you while you are adjusting for the correct
depth. Removing the ‘extra’ metal will allow
the stone to set down into the hole. A wider
opening will also allow the polishing compounds
to exit more easily while in the ultrasonic
cleaner.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
People who attempt the difficult often attain
the impossible.
Anonymous
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
SIMON SEZ SEMINARS
Bradney W. Simon is a JA Certified Master Bench
Jeweler with over 26 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
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> WORKSHOP SAFETY FOR JEWELERS <=> <=>
Workshop Safety Tips From Charles Lewton-Brian
THE PILOTS' RITUAL
Have you ever sat in a small commuter plane
where you can see the pilots in front of you?
You are on the runway ready to take off and
they go through a check list; one says a word
and hits a switch, the other repeats it and
does the same thing. It is a ritual,
unwavering, and checked by a partner, and it
has saved your life, and theirs---repeatedly.
Check lists can be useful as guidelines for
ensuring that things are done correctly and
that you have made no mistakes. Create rituals
for things like changing your gas tank. I have
my own systematic check list/ritual when I work
with gases, do electroplating, casting and many
other procedures. Writing them down in point
form can help you avoid errors. Just realize
that, like many rituals, time and circumstances
change and it may be a good idea to reevaluate
them on a regular basis.
For more information on Workshop safety from
Charles Lewton-Brian log onto:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/safety.htm
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))
<=> <=> 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 <=> <=>
We value every subscriber and respect your
privacy. We do not sell, rent, or otherwise
disclose our list of subscribers for any
reason. Your Email Address Is Kept Strictly
Confidential.
To subscribe, log onto:
http//www.BWSimon.com/E-Bench
If you do not wish to continue receiving this
newsletter
Reply to this message with UNSUBSCRIBE in the
subject line.
If you change your e-mail address, PLEASE let
us know. Each month we have several
newsletters returned to us because the e-mail
address is no longer in service. We have no
alternative method of contacting you, and
cannot send you future issues unless you notify
us of your new e-mail address.
< < < < < <> > > > > >
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, 2004, BENCH MEDIA.
All rights reserved.
BENCH MEDIA
106 South Pinepoint Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29302
864 - 680 - 4416
http://www.BWSimon.com
< < < < < <> > > > > >