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In late 2006 I put together a survey on the Jewelers bench to which many Orchidians and others responded. There were a series of questions asked, and the answers were revealing, and contributed to my understanding of the jewelers bench and its functions, supporting my writing of the The Jewelers Bench, and MJSA/Orchid in Print book.
Some of the specific answers were used in the book, but many served to buttress my arguments, or show me things I had not thought about. The answers were illuminating and, through their repetition of points they reinforced certain themes that are universal, and vital to the working jeweler and goldsmith. This article is then a compilation of these comments.... (2008) Complete Story
An alloy is by definition a mixture of two or more metals to create different strengths and colors. For granulation, the following formula is preferred. It is important to start with pure metals. Even trace amounts of impurities can result in flaws in the metal.... (2005) Complete Story
Amber begins as resin exuded from trees millions of years ago. All known deposits of amber come from various tree species which are now extinct. Baltic amber was produced by a tree called Pinites succinifer, a tree sharing many characteristics of the currently living species Pseudolarix. In appearance it would have looked something similar to a pine or spruce tree.... (1998) Complete Story
Amber's warmth and rich glow convinced our earliest ancestors that it was petrified sunlight. Later, others believed it to be the hardened tears of a goddess. Those who were more earthy described amber as fossilized lynx urine.... (2002) Complete Story
In the Jewelers Bench Book, the MJSA/Ganoksin project published in spring 2008, there is an extensive look at what happens in the working space, where you sit and move as a goldsmith. Two of the areas addressed including sitting and looking at objects.... (2008) Complete Story
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