E-Bench Newsletter     The Leading E-Mail Newsletter for Bench Jewelers   Now in it’s 10th year of publication. View this newsletter at www.ebenchnewsletter.com

January 2009 Volume 10 Issue 1 circulation over 5,500

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. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to anyone that you think may benefit from it, provided you forward all of it without modification and not just portions of it.  This document may NOT be distributed for profit.  E-BENCH is a copyrighted newsletter and all rights are reserved!   E-BENCH is sent to you each month FREE of charge because of the generous support of our SPONSORS.  Please support them with your purchases.

Bench Jewelers Network www.BenchJewelersNetwork.com The Ultimate Website for Bench Jewelers Join Today and Start Networking with other Bench Jewelers The Bench Jewelers Network is a Website Community of Professional Bench Jewelers, Students, and Serious Hobbyist.  Here you can ask questions, share tips & tricks, and show off your latest creations.  Plus you can read articles in our vast library and even watch videos.   NOW For a Limited Time when you join the Bench Jewelers Network you will receive “From Fee to Shining Fee” Pricing Software Absolutely FREE!    Plus we are so sure that once you see all that is available on this network you will want to continue your membership, we are giving you your first month FREE when you sign up for the monthly plan.    Log onto: www.BenchJewelersNetwork.com for all the details. Becoming a Member could very well be Your Key to Success in 2009!

Tips for Jewelers Who Do Repairs from Alan Revere   Did you know that you have a terrific stone setting tool in your medicine cabinet?  That is right.  Remember the free samples of dental floss that your dentist gives you after every visit?  Well, even if you do not floss daily, here is a great use for them.   When setting stones in bezels, jewelers often have to periodically test the fit.  This means placing the stone into the setting to examine how it rests and to determine whether modifications are needed.  But what if the setting is too tight?  Then the stone can get jammed in place and in some cases, such as when setting closed-backed bezels, it can be impossible to remove.   This is where dental floss can save the day.  Before pushing the stone into the bezel to test the fit, place a piece of floss over the opening; it is so thin that you can still press in the stone and get an accurate fit.  Now all you have to do is pull on the two ends of the floss, and out comes the stone, easier than pulling a loose tooth!   This Tip is from “101 Bench Tips for Jewelers" written by Alan Revere and published by MJSA/AJM Press.   Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts http://www.revereacademy.com

Quote Worth Re-Quoting "I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm and hard work." Harry S. Truman

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 at: http://www.sefindings.com           Namano / Southeastern Findings Your Home for Southern Hospitality

Favorite Bench Tips By Brad Simon Retipping Pointed Stones   Be careful when retipping any stone with points such as pear, marquise, and princess shape stones.  The thin points of the stones heat up quicker than the body of the stone.  Uneven heating of the stone can cause it to crack.   In addition, metal and stones expand and contract by different amounts when heated and cooled.  A problem can develop during retipping if solder is allowed to flow completely around the point of a stone.  The solder will contract as it cools, squeezing the point.  This may cause the point to break off.   The best method to retip a stone with a point is to make a cap in the shape of the prong.  Then with a minimum of solder, attach the cap to the top of the prong.  Move the flame of your torch over the length of the stone, gradually raising the temperature evenly in the entire stone.  DO NOT allow solder to flow under the stone, completely encircling the stone point.  If the prong is worn to the point that it needs more work than just a cap, it is best to remove the stone and replace the crown or prong.

Quote Worth Re-Quoting Wisdom … is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire compares with her. Proverbs 8:11

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.

Handling Colored Stones from Gemstone Cutter Wayne Emery Feldspar The feldspar group of minerals contains many materials used as gemstones.  Some are more commonly seen in cabochon form like microcline (amazonstone) or moonstone, while others such as Oregon sunstone, orthoclase and andesine are usually faceted.  Mineralogically, the feldspar group is quite complicated.  For our purposes here, the chemistry of the many minerals in the feldspar group is irrelevant; we are more interested in their physical properties and handling characteristics. All members of the feldspar group vary in Mohs hardness from 6-6.5 and often show exceptional durability because some of them, like moonstone, tend to be tough and wear very well.  Intergrowths of various feldspars are common, and extend the durability even further, although a sudden sharp blow can sometimes develop a cleavage.  The clear varieties which are faceted, such as orthoclase, Oregon sunstone (labradorite), and the newer brownish-red to red andesine (which has appeared in the last year or so) are more fragile and can be easily chipped.  None of the feldspar group will withstand great heat or sudden temperature changes, but moonstone in particular seems to resist the ultrasonic quite well.  Test this at your own risk, however!  Pickle has no adverse reaction on any of the feldspar minerals. Most cost only a few dollars per carat, but good blue sheen moonstone can be expensive.  The newer andesine in fine reds can fetch $200/ct wholesale, and Oregon sunstone in fine reds can reach $750/ct in 1 carat sizes, and $700-1000/ct over 5 carats in deep green or deep red!  The medium greens, medium reds and orangey-reds fetch about half that price in similar sizes. There has been some downward pressure on these prices recently as more and more fine material is coming from the Oregon deposits as larger scale mechanized mining has begun.  Operations such as the Dust Devil Mine open themselves up to the public for collecting a few weeks every year, but the conditions there are primitive and the nearest water is many miles away.  Sounds like fun to me! You can contact Wayne Emery at wayne_emery@msn.com

Quote Worth Re-Quoting "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."  John Quincy Adams

E-Bench Sponsor   Rio Grande   For over 60 years, Rio Grande, a full-line 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 http://www.riogrande.com

Director of Technical Education for Platinum Guild International http://www.pgi-platinum-tech.com   Working with Platinum Jurgen J. Maerz What Not To Do: Don't use Acetylene Gas. Only Natural Gas, Hydrogen or Propane will work for Platinum   Don't weld without eye protection. UV radiation WILL damage your eyes   Don't weld when stones are nearby. The welding process will damage most stones   Don't use your soldering pick or steel tweezers near the flame, as they may contaminate the platinum   Don't weld on a charcoal block. Platinum and Carbon do not get along.   For weekly tips on working with platinum visit our blog Platinum Guru at www.PlatinumGuru.com

Quote Worth Re-Quoting "Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it."  Jim Rohn

E-Bench Sponsor Internet Marketing 4 Jewelers Internet Marketing Full-Day Seminar St. Louis, MO ~ Sunday April 26th At last!  Local Internet Marketing Information you need, tailor made for Retail Jewelry Stores.  The Internet 4 Jewelers Seminar will provide you the knowledge and resources you need to get your online marketing started - and/or - taken to the next level.    We’ll Teach You What You Need to Know and Show You How to Do It!     At this Seminar You Will Learn About:   Ø      Local Search Ø      Linking Strategy Ø      Blogs  Ø      Websites Ø      Social Networking Ø      Search Engines  Ø      Online Video Ø      PLUS MORE! All for ONLY $295(with early registration)   The Hardest Thing You'll Face is Deciding What Idea to Implement First!   We bring you Experience & Insight!   We have been in the Retail Jewelry business since 1977, and have been marketing Online since 1999.  We know the Needs and Concerns of a Jewelry Retailer and have the experience with Internet Marketing to bring you the Information and Insights You Need to Know.   Learn How to Use Your Website to Attract Walk-In Customers - Not Just Web Traffic To thrive in today’s economy, your business must be found online.  Gone are the days where our fingers did the walking through those bulky Yellow Page Books.  Instead customers are searching online, over 6.8 billion of them and these searches turn into sales.   Let’s Face It; Not Having An Online Presence Is Quickly Becoming The Equivalent Of Not Having A Phone!   Learn what works and what doesn’t.  This seminar will really get you excited about the things you could easily be doing with the Internet.  You’ll learn how to reach out to your Geographic Area to Bring More Customers into your store.  This Insightful Event Is Different Than Anything You Have Ever Attended Before!   Regardless of how much money you throw at Internet Marketing, if you're not doing the right things in the right way, you might as well be throwing your money down the drain!  We will show you what you need to know and how to optimize your Internet Marketing Efforts so that it works most successfully for you.  Plus we will show you Low Cost and often time FREE alternatives to High Priced Internet Advertising that are Just As Effective!     This Seminar Includes: Ø     Full Day of Internet Marketing with Brad Simon Ø     Networking Lunch Ø     Seminar Manual All for ONLY $295 (with early registration)   For More Information and to Register Log Onto: www.Internet4Jewelers.com/seminars

Workshop Safety Tips from Charles Lewton-Brian    Chemicals   If you know what the chemicals are that you use and what their dangers are you will be less likely to hurt yourself with them.  You should have a list of the chemicals in your workshop (a chemical inventory), MSDS sheets and chemical profile sheets which tell you important information about the chemical.  A chemical profile sheet is theoretically easier to read than a standard MSDS sheet.  There are several places on the internet where chemical profiles are available.  One is http://nsc.org/ehc/ew/chemical.htm.   Mishandling of chemicals is the main cause of accidents with them: spills, accidental reactions, contamination, breathing, etc.  Because so many products contain chemicals, you should ideally have information for every product in your workshop that contains chemicals, as well as those clearly identifiable ones that you think of immediately when one says chemical.   For more information on Workshop safety from Charles Lewton-Brian log onto:   http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/safety.htm

Quote Worth Re-Quoting "I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature. " John D. Rockefeller

The Best Advice to Becoming A Better Bench Jeweler Ever Crammed Into 3 Days Don’t Let This Opportunity Pass You By – Register TODAY!   Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo – St. Louis April 23 – 25, 2009 ATTEND 1, 2, OR ALL 3 DAYS   “The money I save from instituting some of the practices and employing some of the techniques I learned this weekend will more than pay for the costs of attending the conference.  The rewards are not only monetary; I met some of the most incredible people as well.” Al Solymosi Jr. -  Cleveland, OH Don’t Delay – Register TODAY!! http://www.BenchConference.com/Attendee/registration.html Ø      Seminars Ø      Bench Demonstrations Ø      Networking Opportunities Ø      Discussion Groups Ø      Meals and MORE!       “This was my 2nd conference and honestly Can't Afford To Miss It with all the information and trade secrets that are shared among all the participants.  Even after 28 years in the industry I was amazed at how much the trade has evolved with new technology.  Thanks to your conference, we have experienced tremendous growth in both the repair and custom ends of our business.” Holly Scott - Mountain Home, AR Whether you are a beginner looking to develop your skills and build your career or a seasoned veteran of the bench looking to refresh your skills and rejuvenate your career, the conference programs will help jump-start your creativity and motivate you to accomplish your goals. Don't Wait Another Moment!  Register TODAY! http://www.BenchConference.com/Attendee/registration.html “It is neat to have a venue where we can get together and learn new things and share with one another and just to get together with other people who understand what we are talking about.  It is wonderful.  The classes are very informative; they are very concise and to the point and the instructors are always open to questions.” Heath Rackley – Greenville, SC It Seems Incredible That You Can Learn to Become A Better Bench Jeweler In Only 3 Days – But It IS TRUE! Learn what works and what doesn’t from our experienced seminar leaders.  Each seminar is filled with high-quality instruction by working jewelers who are masters of their craft.    From Basic Techniques to Advanced Applications From Centuries Old Procedures to the Latest in Technological Advancements Each seminar provides accurate informative instruction from Professional Bench Jewelers.   Tips Tricks Tools Techniques Technology It’s all here for you. You’ll learn how to work smarter not harder and achieve more in less time.  The Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo is designed to inform, instruct, and inspire bench jewelers to accomplish their best.  So few of us are utilizing our full potential, that it feels absolutely wonderful to achieve things we didn’t know we could, the Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo provides the resources to help you achieve them. “If you're like me, you can read till your eyes bleed, and listen to it explained till your brain hurts, but ain't nothin' like watching someone else do it.  I met up with so many people and learned so much in 3 days you'd never believe it.  Being at these conferences are worth their fees.”  Tony Baldwin – Marietta, OH DON’T MISS OUT!!  Go to: http://www.BenchConference.com/Attendee/registration.html To Register TODAY!!!! This year the Bench Jewelers Conference & Expo is More Affordable Than Ever Before.  The one day rate is only $245 (a Savings of $80.00 from past years).  Plus this year we have expanded our Educational Conference to 3 days for those who want even more.  The 3 day price is less than $210 per day – Learn More and Save More! “It was a pleasure being at your conference.  It’s Reasonable Price for everything that was included.  I learned many new ideas/things and was inspired to try them and implement them in my Bench Work.  Just the entire experience was super.  Wow, did I have a great time.” Gene C. Burgess – South Carolina Your Paid Registration Includes: Ø      General Sessions Ø      Your Choice of Break Out Seminars Ø      Meals Ø      Thursday Night’s Gala Reception Ø      Friday Night at the Ball Park Cardinals VS Cubs (Limited amount of tickets available) Ø      PLUS - All paid attendees will receive an E-Book on Shop Management. “I want to tell you again how much I enjoyed the Expo.  It was a very positive experience and I feel that I brought plenty of ideas and information back to more than justify the time and expense.  Great job!” Jill LaPrad – Richmond, VA Don't Wait Another Moment! You Can Improve Your Work at the Bench – We Will Show You How Register TODAY! Log onto: http://www.BenchConference.com/Attendee/registration.html   P.S. Don’t FORGET - The Gala Reception on Thursday night and a Night At the Ball Park sponsored by Southeastern Finding on Friday.

A Bench Jeweler’s Guide  Brad Simon   Is Retail Jewelry Truly a Recession Proof Business? I’ll never forget the day back in the late 70’s when my boss took me aside to talk.  I was a bench jeweler for his downtown jewelry store, my first job out of college.  I was married and we were expecting our first child.  The economy was a mess and I was concerned how long I would have a job.   He told me not to worry because the retail jewelry industry was one of the most recession proof businesses to be in.  When the economy is great - we sell jewelry, and when there is a downturn - we sell remounts and repairs.  He said there were very few jewelry store closings during the Great Depression of the 30’s (I’ve never checked that out, but he was old enough to have known).  He reassured me that during an economic downturn the Bench Jeweler is the MOST important employee in a retail jewelry store.   Last week I was reminded of his little talk when I read some early statistics on jewelry sales for 2008.  Every single category was down from 2007 except for one.  Engagement and Wedding Rings, Platinum Jewelry, Diamonds, Colored Stones, Gold Jewelry, Silver Jewelry, Pearls were all down from last year.  The one lone category that was not only up, it was up 16% over 2007 was Jewelry Repairs!   As you make plans for your Valentines Day advertising and for the rest of 2009 Promote Your Shop Services!  To be successful in 2009 you must keep your inventory levels low, train your staff to sell remounts and repairs, and provide your bench jeweler with continuing education so that they will be prepared to handle the increased work load.    Advertise Your Repair Services.  Hold Re-Styling Events.  Promote Custom Designed Remounts.  2009 will be the Year of the Bench Jeweler – Are you ready for it!   ~ Brad

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E-BENCH is a BENCH MEDIA Publication BENCH MEDIA, LLC is a division of B W Simon International Bradney W Simon – Publisher Daniel R. Spirer - Proofreader daniel@spirerjewelers.com BENCH MEDIA, LLC 106 S Pinepoint Dr Spartanburg, SC 29302 http://www.EBenchNewsletter.com