MJSA Press Room

For Immediate Release

Posted: January 17, 2002

Released by MJSA

For Additional Information Contact:
Stasia Walmsley, Associate Director of Marketing and Public Relations
1-800-444-MJSA, ext. 3022, stasia@mjsainc.com

MJSA and AGTA Pair Up to Promote Industry Education

Providence, RI-Through their ongoing strategic partnership, Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) and the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) have launched two new programs designed to educate and inform the jewelry community: a monthly "Gem File" column in AJM Magazine—MJSA's monthly trade publication—and the debut of the At the Bench Live demonstrations at AGTA GemFair.

With growing concerns in the jewelry industry regarding gemstone identification and enhancement, the Gem File column, contributed to AJM each month by AGTA, will bring manufacturers critical information on a broad variety of stones. Each installment profiles a single gem, noting its chemical composition, color, durability and toughness, crystal structure, sources, and enhancements. Notes are also included for manufacturers and sales associates. The manufacturers' notes focus on usage concerns, while sales associates' notes discuss quality issues and give background information on each stone.

At the Bench Live first debuted at MJSA's 2001 Expo New York trade show, where it received strong reviews from attendees who enjoyed the chance to stand benchside while industry professionals demonstrated bench techniques. Now the program is being brought to AGTA GemFair, the premier gemstone trade show, held Feb. 6-11 at the Tucson Convention Center. Three demonstrations will be offered: Gregg Todd of Stuller will cover a variety of stone-setting techniques, from prong to channel setting, with a eye toward understanding the properties of gemstones; goldsmith and author Charles Lewton-Brain will offer an assortment of bench tricks, tool conversions, and time-saving techniques for bench jewelers; and Jurgen J. Maerz of Platinum Guild International USA will present repair and fabrication techniques in platinum.

"When you take two entities such as MJSA and AGTA, both of which provide valuable information to the industry, and combine their resources, it can really make an impact," says MJSA President/CEO James F. Marquart. "Our partnership with AGTA gives our members access to important and specific information on gemstones. And bringing the At the Bench Live seminar to GemFair lets us spread the sort of technical know-how that AJM is known for to a new audience."

The two associations have a history of working together in a trade show venue. Since 1985, MJSA has hosted the Manufacturing Pavilion at AGTA GemFair, bringing manufacturing equipment and supplies to that show’s gem buyers. Conversely, AGTA maintains a pavilion of its own at MJSA’s Expo New York, offering a solid gemstone presence in the association’s machinery and equipment show.

For more information on AGTA GemFair, visit the AGTA Web site. at www.agta.org. For information on MJSA’s Expo New York, click here.

####