MJSA Press

Volume Two in the "Orchid in Print: Maximum Bench Work" Series Published in collaboration with 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 examples of how renowned jewelers have set up their own bench areas. Price: $34.95. MJSA member price: $29.50.

"You hold in your hands a book that I predict you will return to often, always seeing a new detail in the photos or reading a tip that you'd missed before. And if you're like me, your copy will acquire the bent pages and coffee ring stains of a well-used resource."

—From the Foreword by Tim McCreight.

Prime Sponsor: Rio Grande

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. Prices: Print manual, $28.95; DVD, $29.95; manual and DVD combined, $49.95. MJSA Member Prices: Print manual, $24.95; DVD, $25.50; manual and DVD, $42.50. Sponsor: G-TEC Natural Gas Systems

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Renowned platinumsmith Jurgen J. Maerz offers his best bench tricks—from innovative uses for clothespins and table salt to ingenious homemade tools—and relates lessons learned from his earliest days as an apprentice. He also provides illustrated step-by-step guides on everything from the basics of fabricating platinum sheet, alloy, and chain to using the jeweler's newest best friend, the laser. Based on his popular column in MJSA Journal. Price: $34.95; MJSA member price: $29.50.

"This book is full of clever tips, shortcuts, and homemade tools … Read through this book, and see if you aren't amazed at the information it holds."

            — Alan Revere, founder Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts

Prime Sponsor: Johnson Matthey New York

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

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!

• More than 100 full-color photographs
• Numerous tables and charts to easily compare systems and accessories.
• Innovative tricks from MJSA Journal and Ganoksin's Orchid discussion group.

Prime Sponsor: Rio Grande



Patrons: Foredom and 3M Inc.

Acclaimed as a designer, author, educator, and innovator, Alan Revere now shares his most valuable bench tips and tricks in 101 Bench Tips for Jewelers. Based on his monthly column in MJSA Journal , this book will help any jeweler speed production, improve quality, and raise profits at the bench. It covers all aspects of bench work, from soldering to stone setting, piercing to final polish.

• Discover how you can easily modify common bench tools to enhance productivity.

• Learn how household items, such as dental floss and paper clips, can become valuable bench aids.

"'Idea Central' is one way of describing this book. It breaks new ground in its clear, painterly renderings of the tricks, the bright intelligence that shines from every page. Alan's writing is warm and friendly, and he sees possibilities—and solutions—everywhere."

            —Charles Lewton-Brain, Brain Press, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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.

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

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.

"[A]n 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

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