Journal · 980 notes
Notes from the bench
Written for buyers rather than for search engines: what a specification actually means, where an order usually goes wrong, and what to ask before you pay a deposit.
Making & process · Sep 2026
Casting Porosity in Jewelry: What Causes It and How We Fix It
Gas porosity, shrinkage porosity, and microporosity: the three types bench jewelers see, what triggers each, and how we repair or remake.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Scapolite: The Rare Gem Most Buyers Have Never Heard Of
Scapolite is a rare aluminum silicate that comes in violet, yellow and cat's-eye. Learn its properties, how it is cut, and what it costs.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Blue Topaz: Why Almost Every Blue Stone Was Brown First
Nearly all blue topaz starts gray or brown before it reaches heat. Here is how that treatment works, what it costs, and what to expect.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Garnet Varieties: From Pyrope to Tsavorite
Garnet is a family of stones rather than one gem. Compare pyrope, almandine, spessartine, tsavorite, and demantoid by color, hardness, and real value.
Making & process · Sep 2026
Lost-Wax Casting vs 3D Printed Wax for Jewelry: What Actually Changes on the Bench
Lost-wax vs 3D-printed wax for jewelry: cost, detail, shrinkage, and the real break-even between carved wax and printed resin masters.
Making & process · Sep 2026
Why We Inspect Every Ring Twice Before It Leaves
A bespoke atelier explains the two-stage quality control that every ring passes: the setter check and the independent final inspection.
Care & after-sales · Sep 2026
Obsidian Jewelry Care: Cleaning, Scratches, and the Shatter Rule
Obsidian is volcanic glass, not a mineral. It scratches easily and can shatter. Here is how to clean, store, and wear obsidian jewelry safely.
Buying guides · Sep 2026
Low-Profile Engagement Rings for Active Lifestyles
A tall prong setting catches on gym gear and doorframes. Low-profile rings sit flush and survive real life. Here's how to pick one without losing sparkle.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Prehnite: The Pale Green Gem That Ages Gracefully
Pale, translucent, and often mistaken for jade — prehnite has a following among bench jewelers. Here is how it cuts, sets, and wears.
Making & process · Sep 2026
Setting Ring Band Wall Thickness in Jewelry CAD
How thick should a CAD ring shank be for comfort, strength and casting? Wall thickness rules for solitaire, stackable and wide bands.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Tourmaline Gemstone Guide: Every Color of the Rainbow
From neon-green paraiba to pink rubellite and bi-color slices, tourmaline is one of gemstones' most varied families. Here is what moves the price.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Cavansite: The Electric Blue Mineral That Loves to Be Seen, Not Worn
Cavansite is a vivid blue collector mineral found on stilbite matrix. Its properties, sources, and why jewelers rarely set it in daily wear.
