Events & Awards

MJSA Expo Seminar Lineup Announced

Events & AwardsFeb 10, 2016

MJSA Expo Seminar Lineup Announced

A look at the future of jewelry design and manufacturing, how to track digital advertising, and techniques for freehand sketching are just a few of the topics on tap.

New York--A look at the future of jewelry design and manufacturing, how to track digital advertising, and techniques for freehand sketching are just a few of the topics of the education sessions at the upcoming MJSA Expo.


The MJSA Expo will co-locate with the JA New York show and the Lueur antique show at the Javits Center in Manhattan this spring. The shows are scheduled for March 13 to 15.
MJSA Expo is scheduled for March 13 to 15 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, running concurrently and co-locating with both JA New York and the Lueur antique jewelry and watch show this year.

Though the shows are being run independently, they will honor each other’s badges, enabling qualified attendees access to the exhibitors and education sessions at all three.

The lineup of education sessions at MJSA Expo is as follows.

Sunday, March 13
Shop of Tomorrow, Part 1: The Future of Jewelry Design
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Moderator: Andrea Hill, StrategyWerx. Panelists: Kevin Abernathy, BISventures; Steven Adler, A3DM Technologies; and Michael Raphael, Direct Dimensions Inc.

In this session, a panel of experts will take a look at the developments in design technologies--advancements in CAD and virtual “sculpting,” the growing importance of cybersecurity and “intelligent” software that can make recommendations for certain designs.

Jewelry Making 101: Setting Techniques (two parts)
Joel McFadden, Joel McFadden Designs
12 to 1:30 p.m.--“Bezel Settings Made Easier”
2 to 3:30 p.m.--“Channel Setting for Beginners”

Presented by custom jeweler McFadden of Joel McFadden Designs in Red Bank, N.J., this session will explain and demonstrate basic jewelry techniques in a clear, simple and entertaining way. Made possible through the MJSA Education Foundation, Jewelry Making 101 costs $45 for MJSA members and $65 for nonmembers for both sessions.

Shop of Tomorrow, Part 2: The Future of Jewelry Manufacturing
1 to 2:30 p.m.
Moderator: Andrea Hill, StrategyWerx. Panelists: Kevin Abernathy, BISventures; Steven Adler, A3DM Technologies; and Michael Raphael, Direct Dimensions Inc.

This session will focus on the future of jewelry manufacturing--advancements in 3D printing, the future of Direct Metal Laser Sintering, where jewelry is “grown” from metal, and the importance of the “cloud” in all aspects of manufacturing, among other things.

Quick Draw: Techniques for Freehand Sketching
3 to 4:30 p.m.
Rémy Rotenier, Rémy Design

Whether a retailer is bringing a design to life in front of their customer or a designer is providing visual guidance to a CAD artist or model maker, the ability to create
freehand sketches can be invaluable to business. During this session, Rotenier use a few simple steps to show how to draw and shade first a gemstone and then a band, combining both into a 3D sketch. There also will be opportunities for attendees to try their own sketching.

Monday, March 14
At the Bench Live: Setting Side Stones in an Engagement Ring
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lee Krombholz, Krombholz Jewelers/Just Like You Designs (Bench and Tool Sponsor: Stuller)

Custom jeweler Krombholz will look at the various ways in which side stones can be used to create unique and durable designs for an engagement ring. He then will demonstrate, in detail, how to set the stones to create practical, memorable styles.

Getting Personal: Defining, Explaining, and Promoting Custom Design
1 to 2:30 p.m.
Joel McFadden, Joel McFadden Designs; and Lee Krombholz, Krombholz Jewelers/Just Like You Designs

In this session, these leading jewelers will discuss the degrees of custom, ranging from a simple selection of gemstone and mounting to a from-scratch design, the quality standards necessary for custom work, and how to explain and promote custom design to customers to ensure that they understand their options and get exactly what they want.

Tracking Your Digital Advertising
3 to 4:30 p.m.
Matthew Perosi, Sapphire Collaborative

Many businesses these days are putting a lot of time and effort into keeping their social media accounts active, but how do they know it’s working? In this session, Perosi will show how, through coding techniques and strategies, traffic generated from all digital efforts can be tracked to ensure businesses are investing wisely and gaining maximum value.

To register for the MJSA Expo, visit the MJSA website.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

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