Instructor: Jurgen Maerz
101 Bench Tricks,
Delft Clay Casting,
Fast Casting on a Budget,
Forging Jewelry
Jurgen J. Maerz is a Certified Master Bench Jeweler the fourth one in the US to receive this designation.
For the past 13 years he was Director of Technical Education for Platinum Guild International USA.
Jurgen holds credentials as an instructor and has taught for the Gemological Institute of America and several other schools in SoCA
He was responsible for the creation of the platinum educational Program GIA is offering to this day.
Born and raised in Germany, Jurgen learned the trade of Bench jeweler at a very young age through a formal apprenticeship. After immigrating to the US, he worked in all phases of jewelry making, ranging from production manager to his own studio, His love for platinum brought him to PGI in 1997, where he has become a recognized expert on working with platinum.
Today he is an independent consulting, looking back at over 45 years of service to the industry
Jurgen has lectured in South Africa, taught at the University of Central England in Birmingham, UK and has presented seminars in Vicenza, Italy.
His articles have been published in major trade magazines throughout the world in several languages. He is the author of the award winning books “The Platinum Bench” and “Adventures at the Bench” a selection of “how to” articles of his monthly feature of the same name in AJM magazine.
Jurgen has published several papers at the Santa Fe Symposium and was honored with the Ambassador Award. He is a popular and frequent speaker at many trade shows throughout the world.
Technically Jurgen specializes in Platinum casting issues. He has spear-headed several new casting techniques and is constantly trying to improve the process.
Jurgen is qualified to address all issues of the jewelry manufacturing process, from design to finished product.
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