Stuller’s premier event for bench jewelers, Bench Jeweler Workshop, returns to its global headquarters in Lafayette, Louisiana March 23rd- March 25th, 2018.
The three-day event will feature more than a dozen educational classes, hands-on product demonstrations, and the 3rd annual Battle of the Benches® Competition.
“This year we’ve added more hands-on classes like Lab-Grown Diamond Screening and Basic Gemstone Identification,” explains Jason LeMaire, director of tools. “This industry is always changing in one way or another, so we really want the jewelers that come to Workshop to leave with knowledge they can take back home and apply to their business.”
Some of the new classes include –
· Digital Technology & Grown Assets
· Social Media Photography
· Screening: Lab Grown Diamond, Synthetic Gemstones and Moissanite
· Fine Jewelry Industry Consumer and Retail Market Report with Jewelers of America
“There will also be several industry experts on our demo floor,” continues LeMaire. “Workshop attendees will be able to meet and learn from master engraver Sam Alfano, master goldsmiths Kelly Williams and Jason Chandler, and jeweler Dana Fawbush.
The 3rd annual Battle of the Benches competition will also take place on the demo floor. “Four exceptional bench jewelers will compete in what we like to call a real-time design contest,” says Tammy Lail, vice president of tools and metals. “The contestants will compete in three different challenges - design, parts and pieces, and prep and polish.”
For more information on the Battle of the Benches competition visit www.stuller.com/battleofthebenches. And for more information on Bench Jeweler Workshop visit www.stuller.com/workshop.
To see interviews with the past contestants and video from the demo floor visit www.benchjeweler.com.