INSTORE

INSTORE Show Spotlight: Ready for a Bench Challenge – with a Twist?

Published

3 years ago

June 20, 2023

INSTORE Staff

A favorite feature of The SMART Jewelry Show returns — with a twist! Designed in partnership with MJSA, the Bench Pressure Challenge includes two separate challenges – one featuring a mystery box of materials, which our competitors will turn into jewelry that will be displayed at the show. There, they will explain their vision and techniques to the audience. The second challenge will take place on-site where competitors will have just three hours to resize a bypass ring shank, attach differently sized and shaped basket heads to the ring, set the heads with stones and apply a final finish.

Join us for The INSTORE Show August 13-15 in Rosemont to watch the competition live on the show floor. When the challenges aren’t running, the stations will be used by bench jewelers for daily demos where you can learn new techniques and ask questions. Don’t miss all the action.

How Howes Diamond Jewelers Closed a Location — and Opened the Door to What's Next

Dan Howes grew up in his family's jewelry business, eventually taking the helm of two locations his father launched in 1964. When it came time to consolidate, he turned to Wilkerson. "It was a pretty easy decision," Howes says, citing the company's strong reputation and a friend's successful experience. Wilkerson's proven sales roadmap delivered — meeting projected financial goals and guiding the process every step of the way. "This is their profession. They have it dialed in."