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<> <> <> <> <> <> <> E-BENCH <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
The E-Mail Newsletter for Bench Jewelers
July 2002
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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
GERRY’S GEMZ Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting
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<> <> <> REVERE’S TIPS FOR JEWELERS <> <> <> <>
Tips For Jewelers, Who Do Repairs from Alan Revere Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts
Learn which gemstones can be heated, ultrasonically cleaned, steamed, set under pressure, etc. and remove the rest prior to exposing them to potential damage.
Use the highest melting solder, whenever possible.
Find a lost diamond on the floor by shutting off the lights and searching with a flashlight.
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You can get everything in life you want, if you just help enough other people get what they want. Zig Ziglar
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<> <> <> <> <> <> GOLD SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <> <>
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<> <> <> <> <> FEATURE ARTICLE <> <> <> <> <> THE MASTER'S TOUCH By Bradney W. Simon
The difference between a Master Jeweler and an average jeweler is not so much learning advanced techniques as a mastery over the basic ones. For example, there is little difference between the soldering technique in the most complex hand fabricated item of jewelry and sizing a ring. What sets the Master's work apart is the meticulous execution of those techniques.
The downfall of many bench jewelers is not a lack of skills but the determination and discipline to practice and fine-tune those skills to the degree of workmanship deserving the title of Master. Often what hinders our progress is not a lack of knowledge, but the apathy towards accomplishing our work that we have allowed to creep in. Over the years, it is easy to allow bad habits to develop like hurrying through our work or skipping certain steps. To overcome this takes practice. Just like a sports player will practice before performing on the playing field, or a musician will practice before performing on the stage, you need to continually practice before performing at the bench.
When was the last time that you did an actual practice exercise where you worked on a certain project just to develop a skill, and after critically examining the results to find areas that need improvement, then practiced more to improve them. (It is not practice that makes perfect, but perfect practice that makes perfect.)
Why not commit a little time each week, just to the development of your skills? Why not get back to the basics and practice those fundamental techniques that seem so simple and easy like those basic procedures that take only a few days to learn, but a lifetime to master. Remember, it is not the techniques that set the master apart but the meticulous execution of those techniques.
This is not to say knowledge and understanding of skills is unimportant. It is just that often all we seek is new knowledge to overcome a problem when what is needed at the bench is development of the knowledge we already have.
Certainly, learning a helpful tip or a new trick can help anyone perform better work. However, unless and until the basic techniques are practiced and mastered, can these new applications be performed with the perfection deserving the Master Craftsman title. To accomplish this, spend less time trying to learn new tricks and spend more time mastering basic skills.
Strive to accomplish the work of a master. This is a worthy goal of any jeweler regardless of where they are in the development of their career. Practice each technique and develop every skill with the standard in mind that this is the work of a true master. Even if this ultimate goal is never achieved, the striving for and the reaching toward it will create in you a better artisan.
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Regarding Pain In The Neck
Thanks for the newsletter, I am an old retired sailor used to Micro/Miniature electronics repair, I understand the long hours humped over ill matching benches and chairs staring into a microscope...BACKACHE!!!. I would recommend you tell folks about seeing a Doctor of Osteopathy rather than a Chiropractor for one reason. The D.O. can diagnose conditions and prescribe medications as well as do the manipulations, which of course the other folks cannot. A back ache can often indicate another problem. Thanks again, for your being willing to share your skills. D.C. Stager USN Retired.
I have been an avid fan of E-Bench newsletter for over a year now. I was excited to see your special feature on back pains attributed to bench work. I have been a bench jeweler for over 20 years and I have been having chronic back pain for the last 4 years. After reading your article, I believe it is attributed to my present working conditions. I started my present job a little over 4 years ago. I am 6'4" tall. my bench is too short for me, so I adjust my chair to fit my bench. I honestly believe after reading your article that I need to do adjustments to my bench and chair. The pain in my lower back has continued to get worse over the years. I now have developed pains in my lower calves and knees. I am going to the chiropractor and show him this article and maybe we can help my problem. I will keep you informed if this works for me. This is why I am such an avid fan of your articles. You are never too old or experienced to learn new things in our trade. Thanks again for your article. Sincerely, Philip Edwards
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However, those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary; They will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40: 31
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<> <> <> <> <> STEWART'S BENCH TIPS <> <> <> <> <>
Bench Tips from Stewart’s International School for Jewelers http://www.stewartsintlschool.com/
RECOVERING GOLD By Jim Stewart
To recover gold from the ultrasonic tank, pour the solution through a paper coffee filter that is inside a strainer. The solution then runs into a large can or bowl. Next, use a paper towel to wipe the sludge out of the tank. Place the coffee filter and paper towel inside a plastic trash bag and when full send it to a refinery. The used solution may be poured back into the ultrasonic tank, then add a little non-ammoniated concentrate.
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Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge 30th U. S. President
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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/
SOLDERING VS WELDING
Soldering is usually required when you are working on a multi- metal piece, such as an 18K and platinum combination. The metal with the lowest melting point dictates the method used. When installing minor components to Platinum, such as findings, soldering is preferred. Whenever you are sizing a ring and need to use solder, use a 1700 seamless solder to do the task. Lower temperature solders tend to show a seam.
Sizing a platinum ring is normally done with the welding method, as long as there are no stones nearby and the ring is made of platinum.
The exception here is Pt/Co, as cobalt oxidizes. To size a Pt/Co ring, the 1700 seamless solder is recommended.
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<> <> <> <> <> <> GOLD SPONSOR <> <> <> <> <> <>
SIMON SEZ SEMINARS Bradney W. Simon is an accomplished platform speaker, providing Keynote Speeches, and Educational Seminars. Topics include:
For information on having him speak for your organization log onto; http://www.BWSimon.com/SimonSez Seminars
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<> <> <> <> <> <> FAVORITE TIPS <> <> <> <> <> <>
Drill holes in the top of the side rail on your bench, large enough in diameter for your torch tips to fit into them. Keep different size tips there when not in use; it makes them easier to find when needed.
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When setting a colored center stone with side diamonds, make certain that the diamonds do not touch the center stone. If one of the diamonds comes loose and rubs against the center stone, it will cut a groove into the stone.
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Rings with by-pass shanks are right hand and left hand specific and are not interchangeable. When creating a ring with a by- pass shank, the side of the shank closest to the hand should come from the side of little finger. The ring will then sit straight on the finger. This is because the skin joining the fingers together is lower between the little finger and the ring finger than between the ring finger and the middle finger. If the ring is created with the shank going the other way, the shank will contact the hand on the middle finger side first and cause the ring to twist while wearing it.
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To solder a pin catch, first paint the catch with whiteout making certain that none gets on the area for soldering. While the whiteout is still wet move the inside locking mechanism back and forth to make certain the Whiteout gets down into the catch.
To solder it onto the jewelry use a small pair of locking tweezers. Grind one tip down to a long point that can be inserted it into the hole for the pin stem. The other tip is placed on the top of the clasp (opposite side from the solder pad). This way you can hold the pin catch for soldering and use the tweezers as a guide to easily line up the pin catch in the right direction.
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To quickly and easily set diamonds in a flat surface, use an automatic center punch (a watchmakers tool) to raise the beads. The spring on this tool is adjustable from very light, for small, shallow beads, to very heavy, for deeper beads. The tip can be sharpened to a fine or blunt point. Cut the seat to the appropriate size, seat the diamond (using bee's wax to keep it in place), and place the point of the tool at the same spot that you would if you were using a graver to raise the bead. Place your fingernail over the stone to keep it steady and apply downward pressure with the tool until it strikes. Rotate the work piece and repeat the procedure until all beads have been raised. Finish the beads with a beading tool. Rebecca Harris
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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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The people who get on in this world are the people who look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them. George Bernard Shaw
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<> <> <> <> <> SILVER SPONSORS <> <> <> <> <>
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Please send a blank email to mailto:wireworker@royal-responder.com
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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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For Information and rates on placing an Ad Go to: http://bwsimon.com/E-BENCH/E-BenchSponsors.htm
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<> <> <> <> <> Thank You for Reading <> <> <> <> <>
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Copyrighted, 2002, B W Simon. All rights reserved.
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