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.

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Online this Month: June 2019

Expanding Horizons

By Sharon Elaine Thompson

To carry or not to carry lab-grown diamonds, that is the question. To help you determine whether or not this new product category is right for you, we spoke with several jewelers who have introduced these stones into their lines. We also share the best ways they’ve found to promote lab-grown diamonds to their customers.

Made in the USA: Hire Logic

By Shawna Kulpa

Low unemployment often means high turnover for business owners. In this next installment in our periodic “Made in the USA” series, Lashbrook owner Eric Laker explains the effect that the current low unemployment rate has had on his ability to hire and retain workers—and the novel solution he’s come up with to address the problem.

The Art of Handcraft: The Call of Color (Members Only)

By John Shanahan

In this next installment in “The Art of Handcraft”—our periodic series in which traditional metalworking techniques are explored and explained—Valerie Jo Coulson discusses the art of gemstone inlay and offers her best tips for painting with gemstones.

New Products

OZ Elite Micromotor System
Suitable for a variety of applications, including grinding, finishing, and polishing, the OZ Elite Micromotor System features an advanced controller and a 50,000 rpm, 230-watt brushless rotary handpiece. It offers consistent and ample torque (up to 8.3 Ncm) at all times to ensure fast and smooth metal removal. The system features a thin, lightweight H180 handpiece with 3/32" and 1/8" collets. It also includes a variable speed foot rheostat, handpiece cradle rest, detachable handpiece holder, and a replacement fuse. An easy-to-read digital speed display allows for precise speed and torque settings. In addition, the system has a self-diagnostic error display and overload protection. 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

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DiaTrue CS Scanner
Suitable for use on unmounted diamonds, stones on small pieces of jewelry such as rings, and melee parcels, the DiaTrue CS Scanner is designed to detect CVD and HPHT lab-grown diamonds as well as cubic zirconia, Moissanite, and CZ coated with CVD. Capable of scanning in 7 to 10 seconds, the system uses a color system to display results on the large embedded 10.9-inch touchscreen tablet. This self-contained and compact unit contains a 6 cm by 6 cm tray and measures 8.26 inches long by 10.5 inches wide by 8.85 inches high (21 cm by 26.7 cm by 22.5 cm). Recommended for use on diamonds in the color range of D to K, the system can save and archive test data as well as create and print certificates. Contact: Stuller Inc., 302 Rue Louis XIV, Lafayette, LA 70508; 1-800-877-7777 or 1-337-262-7700; e-mail sales@stuller.com; stuller.com. MJSA Member

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SpectroCube ED-XRF Analyzer
Designed to operate at twice the speed of other analyzers in its class, the SpectroCube ED-XRF Analyzer can be used to test precious metals in as little as 15 seconds. It features the latest in high-resolution drift detector technology and an ultra-high count rate to register minor and trace amounts of some nonprecious components. On jewelry samples, the instrument can analyze an area down to a spot size of 0.2 mm. Offering a compact design, the system measures 380 mm high by 520 mm wide by 540 mm deep (15 inches by 20.5 inches by 21.3 inches), and it weighs 106 lbs. Contact: Spectro Analytical Instruments GmbH, Boschstr. 10, 47533 Kleve, Germany; 49-2821-8920; fax 49-2821-8922200; e-mail
spectro.info@ametek.com; spectro.com.

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Gem Trends

Gem Trends June 2019

Color Confidence (Members Only)
By Deborah A. Yonick
Pantone forecasts bold hues for fall.

Creative Design

Creative Design June 2019

Mad About Color (Members Only)
By Tina Snyder
Liz Sabol brings her Cheshire Cat moonstone necklace to life.

At the Bench: Gary Dawson

At the Bench: Fit and Trim

Fit and Trim (Members Only)
By Gary Dawson
Ensuring a perfect stone inlay fit.

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Business Strategies

Business Strategies June 2019

Seek and Find (Members Only)
By Andrea Hill
Tips for finding and reaching more customers.

Custom Jeweler

Custom Jeweler June 2019

Before and After
By Shawna Kulpa
Custom Communication: Case Studies in Marketing and Promotion.

At the Bench: Serina Omori

At the Bench: Give It a Push

Give It a Push (Members Only)
By Serina Omori
Creating a concave prong pusher.

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