Jewelry Making Books

Working with Gemstones: A Bench Jeweler's Guide by Arthur Skuratowicz and Julie Nash Enjoy stress-free setting! Featuring more than 100 full-color photos, this book provides the information you need to avoid damaging expensive sometimes irreplaceable gems. Common gemstone enhancements and treatments. How specific gems react to pressure How to design and modify jewelry to accommodate a gem's characteristics. "Tools that Rule": What every jeweler needs close at hand. Charts on how stones react to abrasives, chemicals, and heat. Advice on proper care and cleaning methods. "Every major gemstone typically used in the jewelry industry is covered in this book, making it a fine resource for the beginning bench jeweler as well as anyone doing repair check-in at a retail store In addition, some seldom-seen stones are included, making it a good reference for experienced jewelers." Mark Maxwell, Gems & Gemology, GIA

The Platinum Bench: An Illustrated Guide to Easy Platinum Repairs and Fabrication by Jurgen J. MaerzWinner, 2002 Apex Award for Publication Excellence! Renowned platinumsmith Jurgen J. Maerz, director of technical education for Platinum Guild International USA, shows how platinum isn't difficult, just different and, with the help of these step-by-step, illustrated lessons, it can be easy. The Platinum Bench provides comprehensive instruction on a variety of bench techniques, from resizing rings and replacing heads to making a platinum band with 18k inlay. It also includes guides to selecting platinum alloys, preparing for platinum bench work, and casting platinum in a small shop. The Platinum Bench is comprehensive, well organized, and a great teaching tool it's a reference for everyone from a novice to someone who needs to refresh their memory. Michael Bondanza, Michael Bondanza Inc., New York City This is a great book we are incorporating it into our platinum classes as a required text. Alan Revere, Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, San Francisco

The AJM Handbook on Best Business Practices The first in a series of handbooks on how to maximize profits and minimize risks, The AJM Handbook on Best Business Practices offers expert advice on a range of vital topics: Keeping your business profitable in good times and bad. Establishing solid credit practices. Investing in Technology. Exploring the benefits of leasing. Gearing up for production increases. Instituting metal control policies Implementing a 5S visual control system. Creating a business plan to ensure creative designs earn a profit.

The AJM Guide to Lost-Wax Casting: Techniques and Tips from Industry Experts Winner, Silver Excel Award, Society of National Association Publications From creating trouble-free master models to building uniform trees to proper techniques for investing, burnout, and breakout, this book will show you how to achieve smooth, porosity-free castings. Also included are guides to stone-in-place casting; casting over 500 grams of platinum on one tree; and casting nickel-free white golds. "Thank you for the best casting book on the market today! The AJM Guide to Lost-Wax Casting addresses every aspect of the casting process, with a comparison of methods and materials that points out the best techniques to use for the desired results. This book is now the standard text for our advanced class in casting it's an invaluable tool." Shannon Calloway, Instructor Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, Paris, Texas

Jewelers have a wealth of options when choosing the tools they'll use for their creations, but everyone has a favorite tool with which they would never part--a "secret shop weapon." This book pulls back the curtain and reveals the "weapons" of more than three dozen jewelers, from renowned experts to up-and-comers who are just beginning to make their marks. Secret Shop Weapons presents a full range of "must have" tools and equipment, from high-tech CAD programs and microscopes to such basics as gravers and miter-cutting jigs. Whatever the tool, jewelers share why their favorite weapons are so special and how they use them. Also included in this 160-page, full-color book are step-by-step projects featuring several of these weapons. In addition, readers will have access to exclusive online videos so that they can witness these tools in action.

Safety Solutions Updated Manual & DVD Now Available! Every jewelry operation contains numerous hazards that, if left unattended, could lead to injury, illness, and even death. Safety Solutions helps jewelers to avoid such outcomes, providing easy to understand guidelines for maintaining a safe environment. Learn how to properly store and work with chemicals, dispose of hazardous waste, establish safe working conditions, and comply with federal, state, and local codes. Part of MJSA's "Safe and Secure" outreach program, funded in part by a grant from the JCK Jewelry Industry Fund. Shot on location at Stuller. Prime Sponsor: G-TEC Natural Gas Systems

Profiting by Design By Marlene Richey Learn how to run a successful jewelry design business and have some fun along the way. A former gallery owner who also ran an award-winning design firm, Marlene Richey covers everything from identifying a target market and setting up shop to pricing, marketing, and selling your one-of-a-kind designs. She also provides real-life lessons from such esteemed jewelry designers as Barbara Heinrich, Michael Bondanza, Chris Correia, and Michael Good, among others. Prime Sponsor: David H. Fell & Co.

The Jeweler's Bench Book By Charles Lewton-Brain Volume Two in the "Orchid in Print: Maximum Bench Work" Series A Collaboration between Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and The Ganoksin Project. In The Jeweler's Bench Book, acclaimed metalsmith Charles Lewton-Brain offers expert advice on how you can choose the bench that best meets your needs'then modify it for maximum efficiency. With plentiful full-color illustrations, The Jeweler's Bench Book covers everything from the basics of bench design to ingenious tips for tool storage and arrangement. It also includes real-life "tours" of how renowned jewelers have set up their own bench areas. Prime Sponsor: Rio Grande

Making the Most of Your Flex-shaftBy Karen Christians Volume One in the "Orchid in Print: Maximum Bench Work" Series A Collaboration between Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and The Ganoksin Project. Making the Most of Your Flex-shaft is the one resource you'll need to ensure you gain maximum advantage from your flex-shaft system. Learn how to select the right system, how to choose and use the latest accessories and attachments, and how to properly maintain your system for extended life. See why so many jewelers are reading this book and discovering what they didn't know about their flex-shaft systems! Prime Sponsor: Rio Grande Patrons: Foredom and 3M Inc. [read more...]

At the Bench: An Illustrated Guide to Working with Gold & Silver by Gregg Todd and Greg GilmanWinner, Silver Excel Award, Society of National Association Publications Simplify your bench work! Featuring more than 200 photographs, At the Bench offers step-by-step, illustrated instruction on resizing rings, repairing chain, setting stones, retipping prongs, and building component parts, among other essential skills. It also offers guides to proper bench setup, prioritizing workflow, keeping small tools organized, safe and successful torch work, and maximum metal recovery. "An essential resource ... written by expert goldsmiths who know their craft and who have an ability to communicate their knowledge and skills in an easy-to-understand way." Chris Corti, Gold Technology, World Gold Council "More than a guide to working with these two metals, At the Bench is an essential resource for every bench jeweler." Angela Lockhart, Gems & Gemology, GIA