MJSA’s At the Bench Live Moves to New Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion

MJSA’s At the Bench Live Moves to New Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion at AGTA GemFair

MJSA will present its signature At the Bench Live demonstrations at the 2012 AGTA GemFair Tucson, running twice daily Feb. 5-8 in GemFair’s expanded Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion. The sessions will again feature renowned artisans showing bench and design techniques that attendees can readily apply to their own operations. 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. The schedule includes:

February 5:

Paving the Way: Master Techniques for Pavé and Micro Pavé

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Presenter: Blaine Lewis

With its multiple rows of sparkling gems, pavé adds flash and fire to any jewelry design—but only if it’s done correctly. This session will reveal innovative methods to create and enhance pavé and micro-pavé designs, including advanced bead setting and bright cutting techniques, tool selection, and tips for proper layout, working with different metals, and handling fragile stones.

A Cut Above: Prepping Your Graver

2:30 to 4 p.m.

Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

Whether you need to raise beads, bright-cut a channel setting, or add decorative textures and details, the graver is one of the most important tools you can have—but only if it’s properly prepped. This session will discuss shaping and sharpening methods, along with how to care and maintain your graver, to ensure your cuts remain precise and predictable.

February 6:

Texturing and Finishing Options

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Presenter: Lee Krombholz

Fashion experts say baroque will be big in 2013, which means there will be plenty of opportunity for jewelry featuring textures and decorative finishes. Learn a variety of techniques—including hammer finishing, milgraining, hand engraving, and stippling—in which inexpensive hand tools can be used to create a big look.

Techniques for Setting Halos and Side Diamonds

2:30 to 4 p.m.

Presenter: Lee Krombholz

Adding a “halo” of gems around the center stone or incorporating decorative side stones can add flash and sparkle to any design. Discover various techniques and styles—bead settings, split prongs, bright cuts—that help you to create gem patterns offering the perfect accent.

February 7:

Setting Fancy Shapes, Part 1: Prong Settings

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

Marquise cuts, cushion cuts, slices—gemstones in these and other unusual shapes pose unique setting challenges. In the first session, learn different techniques for shaping and securely fastening prongs, based on the stone and the metal involved. In honor of “Monaco Blue” being named Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013, issues specific to tanzanite, lapis, sapphire, and similarly colored stones will be reviewed.

Setting Fancy Shapes, Part 2: Thick-Walled Bezels and Channels

2:30 to 4 p.m.

Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

The force needed for bezel and channel setting can be particularly challenging with fancy shapes: a few bad hammer blows and you’ll have crunching, alignment issues, and misapplied pressure points that lead to stress and cracking. Learn the proper preparation and setting techniques to ensure your walls are aligned and secure.

February 8:

Hand Carving Wax Models

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Presenter: Gary Dawson

A casting is only as good as its model, and in this session you’ll learn how to carve waxes that lead to great castings. The session will include tips for choosing the proper wax, creating an initial layout, removing wax quickly, and achieving fine details. Most important, you’ll learn how to integrate the gem into the model, and create a design that showcases the stone to maximum effect.

Plating Techniques to Ensure Predictable Results

2:30 to 4 p.m.

Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

With precious metals prices expected to remain high, plating has become the option of choice for jewelers to add a precious touch while maintaining price points. This session will discuss techniques for both pen and immersion plating, and to ensure cohesion between different metals, and how to create quality coatings that meet consumer expectations and conform to FTC standards.

In addition to being redesigned as a “one-stop resource” for the know-how, supplies, and services needed by jewelry makers and designers, the Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion will be open to attendees from other events: badge holders of the GJX show, the JOGS Tucson Gem & Jewelry Show, and the Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers (G&LW) show at the Holidome will be able to shop the pavilion and attend the At the Bench Live demonstrations.

For more information about the At the Bench Live sessions, go to MJSA.org or contact 1-800-444-MJSA (6572), info@mjsa.org. For more information about the Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion, go to agta.org.

AGTA Announces GemFair Tucson Seminar Schedule

AGTA GemFair™ Tucson – A Learning Experience

The American Gem Trade Association’s annual GemFair in Tucson, AZ, each February is an opportunity for anyone involved in colored gemstones and pearls to learn more about this margin-friendly product category. Whether it is formal educational sessions or the valuable networking opportunities, the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson offers a wealth of information for those who want to build and expand this part of their business.

The AGTA FREE Seminar Program is a comprehensive collection of one hour seminars taught by the leading experts in their fields. Popular presenters such as Richard Drucker, Kate Peterson, Bill Larson, Alan Hodgkinson, Gary Roskin, Cecilia Gardner, David Peters, Cindy Edelstein and Antoinette Maitlins return each year to share their latest information to GemFair attendees. Topics covered include gemology, trends, sales, marketing, events, travelogues, training, social media, fair trade, gemstone cutting and much more. The seminars start Wednesday, February 6th and end on Saturday, February 9th.

MJSA also returns in 2013 with their “At the Bench Live” program for bench jewelers. This daily demonstration provides fantastic tips on a variety of bench-related scenarios by respected jewelers Arthur Anton Skuratowicz, Lee Krombholz, Chris Ploof and Linus Drogs. From repair to design to working with gemstones, there is something for everyone.

Click Here for Detailed Seminar Schedule

Aside from the classroom, the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson offers an incredible amount of networking opportunities with your peers. The exhibitors are all AGTA Members and experts in their chosen field. They will share their knowledge about the key things to look for when purchasing colored gemstones and pearls. They are also the best resource for new finds and current trends. You will also have the opportunity to meet other buyers at the convention center or at one of the many nightly events. These events are a great place to combine business and fun in a laid-back environment.

Continuing education is a key component of most professional businesses and AGTA supports that notion in the jewelry industry by providing the platform for learning at the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson. So, make plans to join us in Tucson in 2013 – to register, go to http://www.agta.org/tradeshows/gemfair-tucson.html.

MJSA's At the Bench Live Returns to AGTA GemFair

MJSA will present its signature At the Bench Live demonstrations at the 2012 AGTA GemFair Tucson, Jan. 31 through Feb. 5 at the Tucson Convention Center. The interactive sessions will run daily and feature renowned artisans showing bench and design techniques that attendees can readily apply to their own operations. 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. The schedule includes:

January 31

Step to It:

Tricks for Soldering Multiple Joints in Silver

Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz, Director of Education at the Jewelry Training Center

Silver has become the metal of choice for many jewelry makers and designers seeking affordable price points. However, the metal poses its own challenges, not the least of which is how to solder several joints in close proximity--without melting previous attachments. Attendees will learn how to ensure their silver soldering goes smoothly, enabling them to create clean, secure attachments.

February 1

History Detective:

How to Identify Previous Repairs in Jewelry

Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz, Director of Education at the Jewelry Training Center

It happens all the time: A jeweler goes to repair a piece of jewelry, only to discover that the piece had already undergone previous repairs--and the work was less than stellar. At best, this creates a few new headaches; at worst, it leads to the jewelry being severely damaged. Attendees will learn how to identify these "danger points" before it's too late.

February 2

Working with Gemstones: The Designer's Challenges

Presenter: Alishan Halebian, award-winning goldsmith/designer

When faced with designing a piece around a gemstone--especially one with an unusual cut or other uncommon characteristic--designers and goldsmiths have a double-edged challenge: Create a design that brings out the gem's unique aspects, but also ensures the stone is securely set and protected. Award-winning designer and master goldsmith AlishanHalebian will demonstrate how he accomplishes both tasks to best ensure the gem is exquisitely showcased.

February 3

Mythbusters: Challenging Tradition at the Bench

Presenter: Ann Cahoon, designer/goldsmith, Flying Marquis Studio

Venerable traditions have built up regarding how bench jewelers should go about their craft. And, like all traditions, some may be true--and some may be little more than tall tales. This session will separate fact from myth, and attendees will come away with new insights into accepted procedures for equipment maintenance, the selection of tools for specific tasks, or simple safety procedures.

February 4

Using Handmade Chain in Custom Designs

Presenter: Ann Cahoon, designer/goldsmith, Flying Marquis Studio

As consumer demand for custom jewelry grows, so too are the ways in which jewelers are creating unique, personalized pieces. One method to add personalization is through the use of handmade chain. Attendees will discover techniques for creating handcrafted chain to complement specific custom designs.

February 5

Compound Interest:

Creating the Optimum Polish on Metals

Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz, Director of Education at the Jewelry Training Center

When it comes to the finishing and polishing of jewelry, you need to match your methods and metals to achieve the maximum shine. Attendees will learn how to apply various buffing compounds and polishing techniques to achieve the look they want.

MJSA's At the Bench Live sessions are sponsored by the American Gem Trade Association and will run daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Grand Ballroom in the Tucson Convention Center. For more information, go to MJSA Online at mjsa.org, e-mailinfo@mjsa.org, or call 1-800-444-MJSA (6572).

MJSA: At The Bench Live! at AGTA GemFair

MJSA partners with Southestern Findings for one of the most educational concepts at the show...from their website:

MJSA’s At the Bench Live

There’s nothing like learning from the masters—and jewelers who attend MJSA’s At the Bench Live seminars do just that. Featuring the industry’s most renowned experts, At the Bench Live offers a blend of best practices and innovative ideas. It creates an atmosphere in which questions can be posed, solutions offered, and problems solved. And it ensures that attendees can walk way with a bit more technical mastery at their command.

I stopped in yesterday to catch this one:

February 2
Black and Back: Finishing and Detailing Sterling Jewelry
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz
With gold at record-high prices, sterling silver is becoming the favored alloy among both professional jewelry designers and consumers-which means more bench jewelers will have to deal with the alloy’s natural tendency to tarnish and oxidize. Learn how to both bring back silver’s shine and strategically use oxidation as a decorative element.




Arthur Skuratowicz is exactly what I love in an educator - he doesn't talk over your head and he encourages you to think for yourself,  all with a laid back and very personable attitude.

Arthur Anton Skuratowicz, GJG (GIA), is Director of Education at the Jewelry Training Centerin Colorado Spring, Colorado, and a Senior Member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. He and his wife, Julie Nash, are co-authors of Working with Gemstones: A Bench Jeweler’s Guide (MJSA Press).






He addressed a standing room only crowd  and with the large screen and great camera placement, everyone could view the demo like you were looking over his shoulder.



Once again - BRAVO to MJSA & Southeastern Findings for this great series...for details about these demonstrations and other opportunities to catch the series at future events check the MJSA website!

At The Bench Live Schedule:  the week finishes off with the following:
February 3

In the Loop: Textile Techniques in Jewelry Making
Presenter: Michael David Sturlin

By applying textile techniques such as crocheting and weaving to the art of jewelry making, artists can create intricate pieces that are both flexible and lightweight. In this seminar, Michael David Sturlin demonstrates his own crocheting technique, and also offers examples of and insights into other artists’ textile applications.

February 4
Treat or Trick: 
Identifying and Working with Treated Gems at the Bench
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

Most gem-set jewelry that crosses a jeweler’s bench contains treated stones. Sometimes, such as with the recent rash of lead-glass-filled rubies, these treatments aren’t known until the stone fractures or discolors once the job is underway. Learn how to spot common treatments, as well as how to handle a variety of commonly treated stones.

February 5
Filigree Face-off, Part 1: Creating an Edwardian-Style Pendant by Hand
Presenter: Lee Krombholz

In the first session of this two-part seminar, Lee Krombholz hand-fabricates a modern filigree-style disc pendant from sheet stock—dapping the contours, sketching the design, piercing the metal, adding bezels, setting repurposed diamonds, and doing the finishing and millgraining—in an attempt to create the lightest-weight pendant possible (a necessity in an age of sky-high gold prices).

February 6
Filigree Face-off, Part 2: Creating an Edwardian-Style Pendant with CAD
Presenter: Lee Krombholz

In the second session of this two-part seminar, Krombholz creates the same filigree pendant as in the first session, only this time in CAD—experimenting with casting tolerances, re-piercing the design, setting the diamonds, and doing a final finish. The time needed to complete the CAD project, along with any inherent challenges, will then be compared to the hand-fabrication process, and the two pendants will be evaluated to see which process produced the lightest-weight piece. (The presenter thanks caster Tom Primavera, whose predilection for hand-fabrication techniques inspired this "face-off.")

Setting Fancy-Cut Gems: MJSA - At the Bench Live

At the Bench Live
Feb. 4, 11 am-12:30 pm
Lee Krombholz presents
Setting Fancy-Cut Gems:
A Traditional Approach

Feb. 5, 11 am-12:30 pm
Lee Krombholz presents
Setting Fancy-Cut Gems 2:
A CAD/CAM Approach

As I mentioned in an earlier post - the "MJSA - At The Bench" presentations were some of the finest and most professionally presented programs I have ever seen at AGTA.

Having the opportunity to literally look over the shoulder of a Master Goldsmith as they work at the bench is - well as MasterCard says "Priceless".

This particular presentation was a two day event based on an article that Lee did for the MJSA Journal in which he looked at setting a paisley shaped stone. In part one on the first day he did this using traditional methods of building and carving a wax...then on day two he took the same design and created his wax using a CAD/CAM program.

Lee Krombholz is a third generation jewelry artisan with years of experience in designing jewelry for his retail customers in his Cincinnati store.

What I found interesting (as a novice to CAD/CAM) was the difference in the finished product in the photo you can see the finished CAD/CAM wax and pendant setting on the left and the setting built and carved by hand from wax on the right. While the CAD/CAM mounting is crisp and clean...I think I like the traditionally built one better, it has a hand finished feel...just my opinion, what are your thoughts? Click the photo for a larger image - which do you like best?

Listening to Lee was both educational and entertaining, he was really great about audience questions and his explanations were easy to follow. He managed to bring an already well presented magazine article to life...Good Job Lee Krombholz.

In an audience made up of everything from students and new jewelers just starting out to bench jewelers who have been in the field for a number of years...I think that everyone took away useful info and a couple of new techniques from this event.

As a side note: one of the reasons for the success of this idea of watching a Jeweler "At The Bench Live" was the generous donation of tools and equipment from Southeastern Findings.

photo credit: last photo taken from the MJSA: Make It. Sell It. Profit. page on Facebook.

Alishan - At The Bench at MJSA

The Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America's EXPO West Pavilion is in the Ballroom on the Galleria level, along with the Spectrum of Design Pavilion. Exhibitors demo manufacturing equipment, tools, supplies, contract services and the latest in new technologies. MJSA’s At the Bench Live features bench demonstrations for attendees, showing the latest techniques for bench jewelers.

Today's "At The Bench - Live" demo was with Alishan Halebian - who was a delight!!

The Demo was listed as...
Craft and Creativity: Improvisation At The Bench with Alishan Halebian

A Master Goldsmith renowned for bold and often provocative designs, Alishan will demonstrate how he improvises at the bench to create designs which best showcase specific gems.



In reality he walked us through a new design he started - from illustration through fabrication. That is where the title of the demo comes in. If you work at a bench - in fact if you work in any creative field - you know that just because it looks great on paper doesn't mean it works in 3D!

As he added components he discussed pieces that weren't fitting in properly and walked us through his thought process for making changes and why. He offered demos of how he used normal bench tools to accommodate a different use.

He showed his method for applying a "Florentine" finish - no he doesn't use a burr - he does it by hand - each time it is slightly different and everyone does it a little different.

One of the things he said that stuck with me...

"...each time you add handwork you make the piece more important"

Following the demo Manos from Alishan's staff took me back to the booth to show me Alishan's insect jewelry...wonder why he thought I might like that? (big grin)

Check out the schedule, the range this year is wonderful!

Thursday, Feb. 4
Setting Fancy-Cut Gems 1: A Traditional Approach
Lee Krombholz
Fancy-cut gemstones, with their subtle cut variations, present setters with numerous challenges. In this session, custom designer Lee Krombholz demonstrates traditional wax-working techniques to create cast settings that are appealing, secure, and lasting.

Friday, Feb. 5
Setting Fancy-Cut Gems 2: A CAD/CAM Approach
Lee Krombholz
Lee Krombholz has won numerous awards for his computer-aided designs. Here, he shows how he uses CAD technology to create a wax model, then applies traditional bench techniques to ensure that model becomes a finished piece that safely and securely holds a fancy-cut gem.

Saturday, Feb. 6
Working on Heirloom Jewelry: Recycle, Repurpose, Rejuvenate
Gary Dawson
More and more customers are asking jewelers to re-work the heirlooms they’ve inherited—jewelry that often has endured years of abuse, faulty repairs, and overall neglect. Goldsmith/designer Gary Dawson shows how to identify the hidden challenges in such pieces, safely remove the gemstones, and either recycle or repurpose them to create modern jewels.

Sunday, Feb. 7
Creating Unique Settings for Unusual Stones
Gary Dawson
Jewelers often must fabricate their own settings to accommodate unusually shaped gemstones. Gary Dawson shows how to make the wire or sheet metal jewelers need for a specific job, and how to create a secure and attractive setting.