Platinum Guild International USA (PGI-USA) and the Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) will sponsor their annual Platinum Day Symposium on Feb. 28, 2004, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. This one-of-a-kind industry event, now in its 12th year, is designed specifically for bench jewelers, fabricators, and manufacturers who work in platinum.

Jurgen Maerz, director of technical education at PGI-USA, and Jim Marquart, president of MJSA, will host the day’s activities. Attendees will be able to network and share ideas, and participate in a number of presentations and panel discussions covering a variety of topics designed to educate and convey the ease of working in platinum.

Jurgen Maerz will unveil PGI’s two new technical videos. The key video addresses the repair and service of platinum rings as well as techniques for welding and soldering rings with and with out gem stones. The second video will focus on platinum casting and will be aimed at small shops looking to incorporate casting into their manufacturing program.

The first of two panel discussions will feature some of the country’s leading platinum casters; and will include a variety of topics including porosity, casting techniques, and finishing platinum.

The second panel will feature some of the industry’s leading platinum designers, discussing some trends and design techniques for platinum.

Additionally, Costantino Volpe, a Tiffany & Co. expert will present a new paper on using new design experiments for platinum casting, and Bruce Pucciarello of Novell Design Studio, one of the country’s top bridal jewelry manufacturers, will give a presentation on “Why I Choose Platinum.”

Following Platinum Day, Maerz will launch a 10-city platinum “road show” to help inform and train members of the industry on the technical aspects of the world’s most precious metal.

To register for this year’s Platinum Day, visit the MJSA Web site at www.mjsainc.com or call 1-800-444-MJSA.

JCK