MJSA Journal

Every month, the award-winning MJSA Journal offers design ideas, fabrication and production techniques, bench tips, business and marketing insights, and trend and technology updates—the information crucial for business success. "More than other publications, MJSA Journal is oriented toward people like me: those trying to earn a living by designing and making jewelry," says Jim Binnion of James Binnion Metal Arts.

Click here for a FREE four-month trial subscription.

Online this Month: October 2019

What’s Old Is New Again

By Calina Shevlin

Guilloché, the decorative art of mechanically engraving patterns using rose engines or straight-line machines, has been around for hundreds of years. In that time, it has changed very little—but that not be the case for much longer. In this excerpt from her Santa Fe Symposium paper, Calina Shevlin discusses how a new generation of jewelers is discovering the technique and its endless possibilities.

A Refined Review

By Shawna Kulpa

It’s only natural for jewelers to worry about leaving money on the table when sending off their precious metal waste for refining. Are they collecting everything they could be? Are they doing everything possible to maximize their return? This month, we offer some steps jewelers can take to make sure they’re not missing any metal (and losing profits) when sending out their lots.

Stick to It

By Shawna Kulpa

A jeweler’s “wish list” of tools likely includes a laser welder or a 3-D printer. What it probably won’t include are glues and epoxies. Easily overshadowed by their sexier tool cousins, glues and epoxies can sometimes be just what a fine jewelry project needs to come together. To help you find the best adhesive for your needs, we spoke with industry experts about the differences between glues and epoxies and how they should (and should not) be used at the bench.

New Products 

Palladium White Gold Wire
Rio Grande has expanded its palladium product offerings to include 14k and 18k palladium white gold round wire. Nickel-free and dead-soft, the wire is made with 15 percent palladium. Sold by the inch, pennyweight, or foot, the wire comes coiled and is available in 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 gauge. It is manufactured in Canada. Contact: Rio Grande, 7500 Bluewater Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121; 1-800-545-6566; e-mail info@riogrande.com; riogrande.com. MJSA Member

<< Previous | Next >>

Orion ECO Laser Engravers
Suitable for use by goldsmiths and other industry professionals, the Orion ECO Laser Engravers can be used to engrave photographs, names, designs, logos, or trademarks on rings, bracelets, medallions, or any flat surface. In addition, the system can be used for cutting, either manually for individual pieces or automatically for mass production. The pulsed fiber laser system is available in three power levels: 20W, 30W, or 50W. The engraver has a marking chamber that measures 25 cm by 25 cm by 35 cm and a working area of 110 mm by 110 mm. Contact: Orion Welders, 1693 American Way, #5, Payson, UT 84651; 1-801-658-0015; fax 866-701-1209; e-mail sales@orionwelders.com; orionwelders.com. MJSA Member

<< Previous | Next >>

Clean-Cast Investment Remover
Designed to remove investment, this mildly acidic cleaner can be used at full strength at room temperature as a dip. It can also be diluted 2:1 and heated up to 160°F in an ultrasonic for accelerated results. The solution remains effective down to approximately 33 percent. Developed to be nonhazardous and environmentally friendly, the solution does not have any special shipping requirements. In addition, it does not emit fumes and can be rinsed away with tap water and disposed of down the drain. It is sold in 1 gallon bottles. Contact: Paul H. Gesswein & Co. Inc., 201 Hancock Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06605; 1-203-366-5400; fax 366-3953; e-mail info@gesswein.com; gesswein.com. MJSA Member

<< Previous | Next >>