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<=> <=> <=> <=> E-BENCH <=> <=> <=> <=>
The E-Mail Newsletter
for Bench Jewelers
October 2006
Volume 7 Issue 10 circulation over 4,400
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<=> <=> 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.
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daniel@spirerjewelers.com
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
BENCH
VISION
A Video Magazine for
Bench Jewelers on DVD
Each quarterly issue contains 1 hour of video
training including: Stone Setting,
Jewelry
Repair, and Custom Jewelry Manufacturing. Plus
Bench Tips, Bench Visits, and New Product
Reviews.
Only $95 per year in the
and Only $125 per year for oversea
delivery.
http://www.BWSimon.com/BenchVision
BENCH VISION A Video Magazine for Bench Jewelers on DVD
Each quarterly issue contains 1 hour of video training including: Stone Setting, Jewelry Repair, and Custom Jewelry Manufacturing. Plus Bench Tips, Bench Visits, and New Product Reviews.
Only $95 per year in the
and Only $125 per year for oversea delivery. http://www.BWSimon.com/BenchVision
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<=> <=> <=> TIPS FOR JEWELERS <=> <=> <=>
Tips for Jewelers Who Do Repairs
From Alan Revere
NO SWEAT: Sweat Soldering Made Easy
Nearly every bench jeweler who has tried it finds soldering a small piece of sheet cleanly and perfectly onto a larger one exceedingly difficult. Soldering a pierced monogram onto a sheet, for instance, is no simple matter. Most bench jewelers would sweat solder the pieces together (i.e. solder them in stages) by first flowing solder onto the back of the monogram and then placing it onto the sheet. The assembly is heated, and the two pieces join when the solder flows for a second time.
The trick is to have just the right amount of solder in the right places. Too often, not all areas of the seam are soldered completely, or they are flooded with too much solder (or both). To sweat solder with accuracy, you must first properly prepare the top piece to receive the solder, by routing out metal from the back.
Use a pair of dividers to trace the outline onto the back, leaving an inscribed border about 0.5 mm inside the edge. Now, with a ball bur, carve away the surface about 0.2 mm deep, leaving the border intact. Flow the solder into the recessed area and then file the surface, so that the solder and the surrounding edge are perfectly flat. Place the monogram in position on the clean backing and trace it with a pencil. Flux within the traced outline, then flux and position the monogram. Heat from below—and watch with delight as the monogram settles gently into place, with a perfectly even seam all around. Once you have tried this, you will never attempt sweat soldering any other way!
This tip is from 101 Bench Tips for Jewelers
written by Alan Revere and published
by
MJSA/AJM Press.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal. Philippians 3: 13
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
The
Ganoksin Project
www.ganoksin.com
The Gem and Jewelry Pre-Eminent Online
Resources. Open to the public
Free of
Charge.
A substantial library of articles,
publications, reports, and technical
data on
gem and jewelry related topics; as
well as a
sizable collection of art and jewelry
galleries, for both the casual
visitor and the
professional, also host the popular
Orchid
online forums for jewelers.
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<=> <=> <=> COLORED STONES <=> <=> <=>
Learn all about handling colored stones from
gemstone cutter
CUBIC ZIRCONIA
Cubic zirconia is sometimes confused with zircon, but zircon is a natural gem material, while cubic zirconia is grown in the laboratory. Optically, it is very close to diamond in its refractive index and similar in dispersion. A properly cut and polished colorless cubic zirconia is difficult to separate from diamond by eye when mounted. However, most cubic zirconia seen in the trade is mass produced on huge cutting machines and exhibits slightly rounded facet edges and poor meets, and often is not polished extremely well.
Cubic zirconia is about 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, but it is somewhat brittle. The hardness and brittleness vary somewhat between the colorless material and the various colored and color-change cubic zirconia sometimes available.
Generally, cubic zirconia can take quite a bit of heat, but it is better to avoid sudden heating or cooling. It is impervious to most acids and pickle will not harm it, nor will the ultrasonic cleaner. Shown is a custom cut cubic zirconia with no flat facets on the crown except for the table. The crown consists of two simple conical sections, smoothly
polished.
You can contact
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
The reward of a thing well done is to have done it. Ralph Waldo Emerson
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
United Precious
Metal Refining
United is a full service refiner for Gold,
Silver, Platinum, & Palladium. We specialize
in Refining for the jewelry Industry,
processing everything from sweeps to
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scrap.
Technical assistance on all phases of
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<=> <=> Tips & Tricks from
A Perfect Fit
Many times a guy will come into the store
wanting to purchase a ring for his girlfriend,
but does not know what size ring she
wears.
Having the girlfriend come into the store to
measure her finger will spoil the surprise, and
he wants her to be able to wear the ring
after
he gives it to her without her having to
wait
for you to size the ring.
Here is one method to overcome this dilemma.
Have the man take a ring that he knows fits her
and slide it onto several of his fingers
and
remember where on his finger the ring fits.
Sometimes this can be accomplished without her
knowing. Other times it can be done during a
casual conversation without her knowing what
he
is up to. For example he could say something
about how small her fingers are and say I bet
your ring does not even fit my little
finger.
Then proceed to slide the ring on his little
finger, and then try it on a couple of other
fingers.
Then when he comes back into your store you can
measure his fingers where her ring fit and
determine the size you need to make her new
ring. Having him fit her ring onto several
fingers makes it easier to be more accurate in
determining the correct size.
You can contact Brad at Brad@BWSimon.com
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
Employ your time in improving yourself by other mens writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for. Socrates
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<=> <=> <=> 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.
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<=> <=> AT THE PLATINUM BENCH <=> <=>
Tips that make working with Platinum or
working at the bench in general
easier-
from Jurgen J. Maerz CMBJ,
Director of Technical Education
for Platinum Guild International
http://www.pgi-platinum-tech.com
PEARL CLAMP
It is important to use a vise to secure a pearl while drilling to avoid the pearl slipping and accidentally drilling into your fingers. A wooden spring action clothespin can be easily modified to do this job.
First, with a large ball bur, carve an indentation into the interior of each jaw. The indentations should be just deep enough to keep the pearl from slipping out during drilling. Now all you have to do is insert the pearl into the clothespins jaws, and allow the pins light pressure to securely hold the pearl during drilling.
When you want to glue an earring post to the pearl you can use this new clamp as well. Simply cut a slot in the front end of one of the clothespin jaws, wide enough to fit the new post. Then open the clothespin, rest the pearl between the jaws, and fit the post through the slot. Once closed the clothespin will again apply enough pressure to secure the assembly and ensure that the glue affixes properly.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
The credit belongs to those people who are actually in the arena…who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions to a worthy cause; who at best, know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, fail while daring greatly … so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
JewelersTraining.com
JewelersTraining.com is the first and finest On
Demand Jewelry Video Training Website.
JewelersTraining.com is designed by Jewelers
for Jewelers. Our mission is to provide
jewelers with the best online jewelry
education
with On Demand Videos and other
training
resources.
Log onto JewelersTraining.com Today and sign-up
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<=> <=> <=> Gemz from Gerry <=> <=> <=>
Stone setting tips from Gemz Diamond Setting
http://www.gemzdiamondsetting.com
by Gerald N. Lewy
Before placing a ring on a ring mandrel, take a few extra moments and check the culets of any stones. If the culet protrudes into the finger hole, slide the ring onto a grooved
mandrel.
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
Forget the word disappointment. Failures are but fingerposts pointing out the right direction to those who are willing to learn. Thomas Edison
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<=> <=> <=> E-BENCH SPONSOR <=> <=> <=>
Southeastern Findings
Southeastern Findings has been a leader in the
wholesale jewelry business for the
past 27
years servicing the Independent
Jeweler. We
are Findings, Diamonds, Wedding
Bands, Jewelry
Boxes, Platinum, Batteries, Tools, and So Much
More.
Call us Today at 1-800-282-8285 or visit us on the World Wide Web at: http://www.sefindings.com
Namano /
Southeastern Findings
Your Home for
Southern Hospitality
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<=> <=> WORKSHOP SAFETY
FOR JEWELERS <=> <=>
Workshop Safety Tips From Charles Lewton-Brian
HANDLING GASES
All jewelers work with
gasses for soldering and
melting and sometimes other reasons. Talk to
your local fire department and gas supplier to
find out the storage rules for your area and to
check for torch safety rules. Different torch
systems have positive and negatives to them and
your choice will depend upon what kind of work
you are doing. Each will have
different safety
considerations. Storage of acetylene and
other
gases may affect your insurance so you should
check with your insurance company regarding
your shop, its set up and what you can do to
lower your risk and hence premiums.
Worn hoses and improperly
maintained torch
connections and hoses can cause fires. Always
regularly maintain and check these things. In
general test all connections for leaks every
time you change something in the system, avoid
oils on gas fittings (can spontaneously combust
from oxygen), keep cylinders chained up, never
have a main valve on more than 1/4 turn so you
can turn it off quickly in an emergency, find
out the rules for handling your particular
system and follow them.
It is important that you
get trained, licensed
professionals to do, or at least to guide,
inspect and put their own stamp of approval on
any gas line work your do. At
least get the
work inspected by the fire department. Make
sure you follow any city codes and government
regulations.
Propane sinks so it tends
to pool at the floor,
find the stairs and go down in the basement
until it finds the pilot light on the water
heater. Pipe propane in from
outside or use
small disposable tanks indoors - test it and
turn it off religiously at the end of the day.
Some jewelers use hydrogen. It is very
flammable and needs extra precautions.
In large cities (and in
smaller ones) many
trade jewelers have switched from compressed
fuel gasses in tanks to water torches. This is
a torch system that breaks down distilled water
to make hydrogen and oxygen for the torch
flame. This produces a very
clean torch flame.
Besides having a clean,
small flame ideal for
repair work and general goldsmithing a major
advantage for the trade jeweler is grounds for
lower insurance premiums because no fuel gas is
stored on the premises, only water.
For more information on Workshop safety from
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/safety.htm
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<=> <=> QUOTE WORTH RE-QUOTING <=> <=>
The last of the human freedoms is to choose ones attitude in any given set of circumstances. Victor Frankl
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For over 60 years,
jewelry supplier, has provided
quality
products, unsurpassed selection and
legendary
service to help professional jewelers
succeed.
* Gems & Findings division offers finished
jewelry, findings and gemstones
* Display & Packaging division offers
innovative display and packaging
* Tools division offers equipment and supplies
Call us at 1-800-545-6566 or visit us at
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<=> <=> Thank You for
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.
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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
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the understanding that the author or
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Copyrighted, 2006, BENCH MEDIA.
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