Bench Jewelers
Conference
Hilton Atlanta Airport,
Atlanta, GA
June 17 – 19, 2010
Bench Seminars ~ Thursday - Saturday
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Seminar Leaders
General Sessions
Thursday Lunch 12:30 - 2:30pmPassion Awards Friday Lunch 12:30 - 2:30pm Favorite Tips & Tricks - Stonesetting This Fast-Paced Seminar is a Magical Learning Experience for Bench Jewelers. Setting Diamonds and Gemstones encompasses only a few basic techniques. However, there are numerous tricks to use in mastering those techniques. This seminar is full of innovative tips, tricks, shortcuts, and homemade tools to help jewelers have the confidence to set stones without fear of chipping or breaking. Saturday Lunch 12:30 - 2:30pmFavorite Tips & Tricks - Jewelry Making This magical presentation is full of innovative tips, tricks, shortcuts, and homemade tools to help jewelers work smarter, by being more efficient and economical. Making and repairing jewelry encompasses only a few basic techniques. However, there are numerous tricks to use in mastering those techniques. In this seminar you will learn tips, tricks, and techniques from Master Jewelers Jurgen Maerz & Brad Simon on Jewelry Fabrication and Casting.
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Seminar Schedule
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Seminar Descriptions
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A Chain Reaction Ann Cahoon It's fairly certain that most customers will, at some point or another, either buy a chain or need one fixed. In this seminar we will discuss a number of handmade custom options that can make this staple into something truly special. We will also cover the specific repair concerns associated with chains. Knowing how a chain is made is half the battle to a perfect repair. Plus, you’ll learn numerous tips and tricks for handling the many types of chains that may come across your bench. Advanced Stonesetting Approaches & Considerations Ann Cahoon Building the setting for a unique gemstone is only half the battle; setting Fancy Shapes and Custom Cut Colored Gemstones presents specific challenges. This seminar will demonstrate a number of setting strategies for these special gemstones. Plus you will learn important information about a variety of colored gemstones allowing you to approach them with care and confidence.
Creating & Repairing Platinum Jewelry Whether casting, fabricating, or repairing platinum jewelry, one of the most important but often misunderstood issues is the various platinum alloys. In this seminar, you will learn which platinum alloy is the best for the type of jewelry you are creating, or repairing and all the features and benefits of the four most common platinum alloys used in manufacturing as well as some specialty alloys for specific applications. Learning about alloys and how they impact the manufacturing process and the performance of the finished product is important for everyone who makes and/or repairs platinum jewelry. Creating Jewelry in Alternative Metals ~ Part 1 & 2 Chris Ploof The growing consumer demand for customized jewelry, coupled with high metals prices, has led many custom jewelers to begin using alternative metals and techniques, all of which have their own benefits and challenges. Making Mokume Gane at the bench is just one of the processes you’ll discover as Master Jeweler Chris Ploof pushes the envelope of current and accepted techniques by exploring how to make jewelry utilizing processes and materials not commonly used in the jewelry industry. You’ll learn tips and tricks for working with Palladium, Meteorite Iron and Damascus Stainless Steel as well as how to expertly combine them with High Karat Gold, and Platinum to make unusually beautiful and durable jewelry.
Customize Your Tools For the past 9 years you have read about Steve Satow’s innovative tool modifications in Bench Magazine. In this seminar Steve will present his favorite customized tools including some never before published. You’ll learn as Steve explains how he customizes his tools and how he uses those tools in his shop and at his bench to improve his productivity and quality of work.
Developing a Retail Custom Jewelry
Studio Custom jewelry is the fastest growing aspect of the entire Jewelry world. Now is the time for bench jewelers to get into the retail Business. This seminar will teach you the things you need to know to run a successful and profitable retail store. This in-depth seminar will look at the role of the Bench Jeweler in a down economy. You’ll learn to rise to the challenge of today’s difficult times and prepare for future prosperity.
Finishing Perfection Regardless of the craftsmanship executed in repairing or creating a piece of jewelry, the customer will judge quality of the work by the finish they see. Learn how to bring your jewelry to a new level by highly detailed finishing work. New methods and tools for polishing are included.
Flush Setting Setting diamonds and other gemstones flush in the metal without prongs or beads is a very popular setting style. It gives the jewelry a clean modern look, and creates jewelry that is comfortable to wear. However, one slip or mistake by the setter and the clean look is ruined and/or the stone will not be secure in its setting. This advanced stone setting seminar will demonstrate flush setting techniques as well as bezels, and half bezels.
Laser Welding Jewelry Repairs Learn how you can improve the quality of your work and increase productivity in the shop using a Laser Welder for everyday repairs. In this seminar Jewelry Laser Welding Innovator Steve Satow will moderate an open discussion and share from his vast experience on using a Laser Welder for retipping, sizing, and techniques to trouble free jewelry repair. Welding silver, gold, platinum and palladium, the new alloys will all be covered as well as new laser wires.
Laser Welding Round Table Discussion Laser Welders are more than just an expensive retipping tool! In this round table discussion with moderator and seminar leader Steve Satow you will learn from one of the Jewelry Laser Welding Pioneers, how to use a Laser Welder to fabricate and assemble jewelry, effectively set fragile and hard to set stones, and much more. You’ll learn how you can use the new technology of Laser Welding to make creating jewelry easier and more profitable. Lasers are fast becoming an essential piece of equipment in the jewelry shop, and this seminar will show you why.
Looks are Deceiving Hand Fabricated or Assembled Findings – Only Your Bench Jewelers Knows for Sure! Custom Designed Jewelry and Remounts are big business. However, Hand-Fabricated jewelry is often beyond the budget of our customers, especially in today’s economy. In this demonstration, you will learn how to create jewelry with a hand-fabricated look in a fraction of the time - assembled from stock findings.
Pave and Micro Pave Theory and Practice Pave setting has long been associated with elegant jewelry. In this seminar you will learn from a Master Jeweler how to perform fine quality pave. Illustrations and photos will be used to explain the different styles of pave, threadwork and fishtail setting. Many tips and tricks will be shown to make your work easier and more proficient.
Platinum and Lasers - the Ultimate Solution! When working with platinum, a laser is the perfect tool to accomplish almost impossible tasks. This presentation will showcase beautiful jewelry being constructed in a simple manner with outstanding results that can’t be achieved using any other method. Operating a laser is not difficult and with the information provided, jewelers can immediately apply these techniques in their business. With a little creativity, the sky’s the limit!
Setting Princess Cuts Princess cuts are the most fragile of all diamond cuts and must be set differently due to the natural grain with in the stones. This Live Stone Setting Demonstration will show methods to set this shaped stone without fear of chipping. Advanced techniques will be demonstrated to set Princess Cut Stones in prongs, channels, and flush set. Special emphasis is given to cutting the seat with a combination of burs and gravers. Plus, a unique method of closing V-Tipped prongs providing added safety will be demonstrated.
Step by Step Fabrication In this seminar, German Trained Master Jeweler Jurgen Maerz will provide step-by-step instruction on a variety fabrication projects. Learn cutting-edge techniques and insights for fabricating and creating jewelry. From simply designs to truly unique jewelry, this seminar will go beyond the basics and demonstrate hand-fabricating techniques that will stretch your creativity.
Unique Custom Made Mountings Invariably, we all eventually face a setting job for which no manufactured mounting exists. Whether it's a fundamental issue of function and design, or an issue of shape, alloy, and/or metal color, custom options are important. This seminar will demonstrate how to hand fabricate mountings to fit your Fancy Shaped stones and Custom Cut Colored Gemstones like a glove. Plus you will learn a number of approaches to unique setting challenges, including the use of Fretz stakes and hammers to create unique and functional mountings.
Using the Internet to Sell Your Jewelry Services Recent changes in the Internet have tipped the scale in favor of local businesses. Now is the best time for brick-n-mortar stores to use the Internet to market their Custom Designs and Jewelry Repairs. Only those stores who know about these rule changes and take advantage of them, can
benefit from these changes. Those who do can Dominate Google Searches. Those who don't will be left wondering where all their customers went!
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