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.
Buying guides · Sep 2026
Signet Ring Buying Guide: Styles, Crests & Sizing
Signets are back, and the choices go far beyond a plain oval. Here is how to pick a head shape, engraving, metal and size that fit your hand.
Buying guides · Sep 2026
Ring Sizing Jobs That Belong on the Repair Bench, Not the Sizing Mandrel
Pave bands, engraved shoulders, soldered wedding rings, and cast shanks with porosity. When to stretch, when to cut, and when to refer to the repair bench.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Larimar: The Caribbean Blue Stone Found in One Place
Larimar is found in only one mountain range on Earth. Here is what makes its blue unique, how durable it really is, and how to care for it.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Demantoid Garnet: The Horsetail Inclusion and the Green That Outsparkles Diamond
Demantoid is the rarest green garnet. We explain horsetail inclusions, Russian vs Namibian material, dispersion, and how to set it.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Rhodolite Garnet: The Raspberry Purple-Red Gem
Rhodolite garnet is a pyrope-almandine blend with raspberry color. Learn where it is found, why it makes a great ring stone, and how to care for it.
Making & process · Sep 2026
Granulation in Jewelry: Tiny Metal Balls, Big Craft
Granulation decorates metal with uniform gold or silver beads. We explain the ancient fusing method, why it frustrates beginners, and when it's worth it.
Making & process · Sep 2026
How a Jeweler Polishes a Ring: The Bench Workflow, in Order
From rough cast to mirror finish: what the polisher does at the bench, in what order, and why one skipped stage ruins the finish.
Making & process · Sep 2026
Inside the Bridal Ring Manufacturing Process, Station by Station
An engagement ring passes through six bench stations - wax, casting, sizing, setting, finishing, QC. Here is where the time goes and what causes delays.
Buying guides · Sep 2026
Stackable Rings: A Buyer's Guide to Layering Bands
How to stack rings the right way: mixing metals, flush profiles, width, sizing, and avoiding scratches. A practical guide from a jewelry manufacturer.
Making & process · Sep 2026
Channel Settings: Wear on the Stone Teeth and Longevity Bench Notes
Rail thickness, tooth count per stone, and the QC check that catches a rocking channel-set gem before it walks out of the band.
Buying guides · Sep 2026
What a Jewelry Appraisal for Insurance Actually Needs to Say
An atelier explains what a real jewelry appraisal contains, why a store receipt is not one, and how to get the coverage your pieces truly need in 2026.
Making & process · Sep 2026
Final Packaging Inspection: What We Check Before a Wholesale Carton Leaves
Loupe per piece, size gauge, stone tightness, plating scratch under angled light, and carton SKU count. The pack-out checklist that stops retail surprises.
