#TucsonGemShow - The Seminars - YIKES!!!!

I tell everyone who is looking at their first visit to the Tucson Gem Shows to check out the learning opportunities....we have already discussed the Mineral Lecture Series at the Pueblo Show, but there are is so much more!

At the AGTA GemFair you have two opportunities to learn - first the MJSA's "At The Bench Live" - which offers demos that any Maker will apreciate.  For Example this is the offering for Tuesday, January 31st:

Red Flags for Repairs - MJSA's At the Bench Live and Beyond (www.mjsa.org)
GALLERIA / TOOLS, TECHNOLOGY & SUPPLIES / BALLROOM	11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Presenter: Arthur Skuratowicz
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
Some repair jobs are simple, and some only seem simple: Many times, one repair is a signal that other problems lurk below the surface. In this session, Arthur Skuratowciz offers some common "red flags" to help you uncover all of the problem areas in a piece of jewelry. He'll also suggest some handy tips to ensure those repairs go as smoothly as possible.
Hold It! Creating Your Own Fixtures for Holding and Positioning - MJSA's At the Bench Live and Beyond (www.mjsa.org)
GALLERIA / TOOLS, TECHNOLOGY & SUPPLIES / BALLROOM	3:30 - 5 p.m
Presenter: Arthur Skuratowicz
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
Whether you're assembling components, repairing or modifying a piece of jewelry, or simply trying to see whether the parts of a design will fit together, you need a workpiece to hold steady. In this session, Arthur Skuratowicz will take a page from woodworkers and luthiers to demonstrate how to make your own positioning fixtures for complex fabrication or repetitive assembly. Ensure that even the most hard-to-hold shapes remain still for greater accuracy and ease.

The second offering is the AGTA Seminar Program will offerings that will halp you improve sales, teach you to be more social, to educating you about gems and where they come from.  This example is just Wednesday, Feb. 1st:

Roundtable • Live! Hands on & Interactive
GRAHAM ROOM	9:05 - 10:05 a.m.
Betty Sue King, Pearl Goddess, King's Ransom, www.pearlgoddess.com
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
Claim a seat at this Roundtable. Live in the moment through the eyes of your clients and feel the exhilaration of indulging passions for things unique and precious. Experience getting first dibs on remarkable pearls. Through this unique intimate setting you will sell more gems, attract new clients, and build custom designs as well as develop collectors and repeat buyers. Engage in a step-bystep guide to plan your own Roundtable. See invitations, place settings & guest interactions. You will be inspired to formulate your own Roundtable and drive your business to greater heights.
Intellectual Property Law for Jewelers
COCONINO ROOM	9:05 - 10:05 a.m.
Sara Yood, Senior Counsel, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, www.jvclegal.org
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
Intellectual property - copyright, trademark, patent, and other areas of intellectual property law - is an important part of any business, and understanding how to use it to protect and promote your work can give you a leg up. In this seminar, we'll learn the difference between copyright, trademark and patent, what can qualify for protection, how to protect it, and the practical applications in the jewelry industry. This presentation will cover trade secrets and the right of publicity, which can affect how you advertise your products to the public. Come armed with questions - our expert is ready to offer guidance and education on protecting yourself and your IP.
Sourcing Colored Gemstones in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
MARICOPA ROOM	9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Gary W. Bowersox, G.G., Geovision, Inc., www.gems-afghan.com
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
This lecture is an update on mine to market gems from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries. Details on sourcing gems in this part of the world will be discussed in the light of the latest political situations, Global Witness, and other reports. Gary W. Bowersox has been exploring and purchasing gems in this area for over forty-five years. He is a member of AGTA, ICA, GIA Alumni and President of Geovision, Inc.
Appraisal Essentials - Increasing sales, service, and appraisals
MOHAVE ROOM	9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Cos Altobelli, Altobelli Jewelers and Appraisals, www.altobelli.com
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
This presentation will cover the appraisal essentials including increasing sales, service, and appraisals; pricing colored gemstones and diamonds; stone setting; Rapaport subscription changes; Synthetic and treated diamonds waiver; grading diamond melee; appraisal software; U.S.P.A.P. update; American Gem Society independent appraiser availability; an advanced personal property appraiser program; color vision testing changes, and advertising and publicity.

Navigating Rough Diamond "C's" - Diamonds of color is the hottest trend
GRAHAM ROOM	1:05 - 2:05 P.m.
Chandra Horn, G.G., F.G.A., École De Gemmologie De Montreal, Montreal, Canada
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
Color is the hottest trend in diamonds and can also be the hardest to predict when looking at rough. What causes color in diamonds and how do buyers and cutters approach these rare beauties in the hopes of coaxing out the best results. How do the 4 C's apply to rough diamonds and how do sorters and buyers predict the quality of the final cut diamond? This talk will look at how rough diamonds are sorted and the unique challenges faced when grading and valuing rough diamonds.
Sustainable Gemstones
COCONINO ROOM	1:05 - 2:05 p.m.
Sheahan Stephen, Sheahan Stephen Sapphires, www.sssapphires.com
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
Sheahan Stephen, will cover the importance of sustainable gemstones in today's marketplace. He will define what sustainability is and give specific (pictorial) examples of the process that a sustainable gemstone company would follow in order to offer you a sustainable gemstone. He discuss who the current buyers of sustainable gemstones are and why they are specifically asking for gemstones sourced through this method, also discuss and answer if this is just a trend or if there will be longevity in this specific sector of our industry. Lastly, Sheahan will cover which countries have a sustainable gemstone mining model in place currently and what questions to ask your suppliers when looking for sustainable gemstones.
Proof of Provenance
MARICOPA ROOM	1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Klemens Link, Director of Development, Gübelin Gem Lab, New York
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
Consumers request more transparency on the provenance of the goods and services they purchase, and also applies to luxury products including gemstones. In stark contrast to this demand, the gemstone trade has a reputation of being opaque. No proper solutions are in place today that truly close this gap: the classical, gemology-based origin determination offered by gem labs merely states the country of origin, and cannot distinguish different producers mining the same geologic unit. Some mining companies have started to issue certificates of provenance, offering information such as the name of the mine, the mining company, and the mining period. The information provided in these documents, however, is largely based on self-declaration, i.e. is not an independent proof of provenance.
Rediscovering the Chivor Emerald Mine - In the Footsteps of Peter W. Rainier
MOHAVE ROOM	1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Robert Weldon, G.G., Manager of Photography and Visual Communications. Gemological Institute of America
Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced
An epic story of triumph over adversity, Peter W. Rainier, a South African, ran Colombia's Chivor emerald mine in the 1920s. He fought bandits, chased elusive emerald veins, and rode across the Andes. His story, revealed in his memoir Green Fire, was licensed by MGM for a movie starring Grace Kelly and Stuart Grainger. Rainer brought Chivor into peak production, extracting the finest emeralds the world had seen. He fought in both World Wars, and helped defeat Rommel's troops at El Alamein. The rediscovery of a lost album of historic photos sparked the idea for a journey to retrace his path.

As you can see the offerings are amazing!  Get the complete listing at www.mjsa.org or http://www.agta.org/tradeshows/gft-seminars.html

#TucsonGemShow - MJSA "At the Bench Live" Seminars for 2014 AGTA GemFair Tucson

MJSA Announces Popular  "At the Bench Live" Seminars for 2014 AGTA GemFair Tucson

MJSA, the trade association dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design, will again present its signature At the Bench Live demonstrations at the 2014 AGTA GemFair Tucson. The sessions—which will cover topics ranging from working with currently fashionable gems and metals to new setting techniques—will run twice daily Feb. 4-7 in GemFair’s Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion. In addition, related articles from MJSA Journal, the association’s flagship monthly magazine, will be distributed at each session.

The sessions are sponsored by the American Gem Trade Association, and the Bench and Tool Sponsor is the Jewelry Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

February 4
Mixing and Matching Gemstones with Fashionable Colors:
What Bench Jewelers Need to Know
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

Placid Blue, Violet Tulip, Cayenne… The Pantone colors announced for 2014 offer a mix of soft pastels and vivid brights—but how will that translate to gemstones? Learn which gems will complement the year’s hot colors, how to pair multiple stones for maximum effect, and—just as important—how to best work with them to avoid breakage, chipping, and other shop disasters.
Arthur Skuratowicz, a co-founder of the Jewelry Training Center (JTC) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he serves as director of education. He was the first instructor at the Gemological Institute of America to teach both gemology and jewelry manufacturing arts, and at JTC he combines training in Old World craftsmanship with modern business practices, including pricing, costing, and management. He and his wife, Julie Nash, are co-authors of Working with Gemstones: A Bench Jeweler’s Guide (MJSA Press). For more about Arthur, go tohttp://www.jewelrytrainingcenter.com.

Rivets, Screws, & Cold Connections, Oh My
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

When assembling jewelry parts, solder is not your only option: Wire rivets, tubes, screws, and other “cold” connectors can not only safely secure parts, but also serve as creative embellishments in their own right. Learn how to make the needed tools and supplies—from decorative screws and rivets to inconspicuous shims—and then use them to connect parts efficiently.

Arthur Skuratowicz, a co-founder of the Jewelry Training Center (JTC) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he serves as director of education. He was the first instructor at the Gemological Institute of America to teach both gemology and jewelry manufacturing arts, and at JTC he combines training in Old World craftsmanship with modern business practices, including pricing, costing, and management. He and his wife, Julie Nash, are co-authors of Working with Gemstones: A Bench Jeweler’s Guide (MJSA Press). For more about Arthur, go tohttp://www.jewelrytrainingcenter.com.



February 5

Sizing Up and Down: How to Shorten Times and Improve Quality
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

Sizing a ring is one of the most common requests of a bench jeweler—and, if done efficiently, can also become one of the most profitable. Learn how to sequence jobs, join many types of metals cleanly and securely, and finish each joint to achieve a strong, secure bond with minimum time and effort.

Arthur Skuratowicz, a co-founder of the Jewelry Training Center (JTC) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he serves as director of education. He was the first instructor at the Gemological Institute of America to teach both gemology and jewelry manufacturing arts, and at JTC he combines training in Old World craftsmanship with modern business practices, including pricing, costing, and management. He and his wife, Julie Nash, are co-authors of Working with Gemstones: A Bench Jeweler’s Guide (MJSA Press). For more about Arthur, go tohttp://www.jewelrytrainingcenter.com.

The Pros and Cons of Dovetail Joints When Sizing a Ring
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

While butt joints may be most frequently used in ring sizing, dovetail joints have their place—and, in some cases, may be preferable, given the added support they provide. Learn the instances when a dovetail should and shouldn’t be used, its various forms (not all dovetails are the same), and the various techniques that will save time and produce a superior joint.

Arthur Skuratowicz, a co-founder of the Jewelry Training Center (JTC) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he serves as director of education. He was the first instructor at the Gemological Institute of America to teach both gemology and jewelry manufacturing arts, and at JTC he combines training in Old World craftsmanship with modern business practices, including pricing, costing, and management. He and his wife, Julie Nash, are co-authors of Working with Gemstones: A Bench Jeweler’s Guide (MJSA Press). For more about Arthur, go tohttp://www.jewelrytrainingcenter.com.


February 6
New Techniques for Setting Princess-Cut Diamonds
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presenter: Joel McFadden

Princess-cut diamonds are among the most popular styles favored by consumers, but their sharp edges must be protected: Too much stress from the setting, and they could easily become damaged. Joel McFadden will demonstrate a new technique he developed that simplifies the setting process and ensures the stone’s points remain unharmed.

Joel McFadden, an award-winning designer and owner of Joel McFadden Designs, a custom design jewelry boutique in Red Bank, New Jersey. A third-generation jeweler,he is one of the most experienced diamond setters in the United States, and has given training courses to other jewelers throughout the country. His work is frequently featured in trade journals (including MJSA Journal). For more about Joel, go to http://www.jmdjewelry.com.

Belly Busters: Strategies for Setting Colored Stones
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Presenter: Joel McFadden

When setting colored stones, jewelers have many factors to consider: The stone’s specific hardness, its durability, and—perhaps most important—its shape: Most colored stones tend to have heavy pavilions (i.e., they’re belly bottomed), and their seats need to reflect that. Learn different strategies for evaluating colored gemstones, as well as techniques for setting a bellied stone in either prongs or bezels, to ensure a tight, secure fit.
Joel McFadden, an award-winning designer and owner of Joel McFadden Designs, a custom design jewelry boutique in Red Bank, New Jersey. A third-generation jeweler,he is one of the most experienced diamond setters in the United States, and has given training courses to other jewelers throughout the country. His work is frequently featured in trade journals (including MJSA Journal). For more about Joel, go to http://www.jmdjewelry.com.

February 7
The “Other” White Metals: Palladium & Tarnish-Resistant Silvers
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presenter: Jim Dailing

The high costs of precious metals have led jewelers to find new, lower-cost options—and, in the case of white metals, there are several. This presentation will discuss the fabrication and casting characteristics of palladium and the new tarnish-resistant silvers, show how to best work with them, and examine long-term wear and care issues.

Jim Dailing, a graduate of the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, who began his career in metals and jewelry after watching a friend in college cut an opal. He now operates Jim Dailing Designs in Portland, Oregon, specializing in one-of-a-kind custom jewelry and wedding rings. He also teaches workshops and private classes, and consults with jewelry makers and designers on production issues. For more about Jim, go to http://www.jimdailing.com.

Achieving the Perfect Polish
2:30 to 4 p.m.P
resenter: Jim Dailing
Small scratches and surface irregularities can ruin even the most beautifully designed piece of jewelry. See which polishing compounds and wheels will provide the best polish for various metals and surfaces, and learn techniques that will ensure your finished pieces have a shine and finish that sets them apart.

Jim Dailing, a graduate of the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, who began his career in metals and jewelry after watching a friend in college cut an opal. He now operates Jim Dailing Designs in Portland, Oregon, specializing in one-of-a-kind custom jewelry and wedding rings. He also teaches workshops and private classes, and consults with jewelry makers and designers on production issues. For more about Jim, go to http://www.jimdailing.com.