The New Approach School for Jewelers (NASJ) in Virginia Beach, Va., is adding a new eight-week course for bench jewelers.

NASJ’s new Commercial Bench Jeweler program is slated to begin Sept. 8, with three courses scheduled annually. The curriculum is designed to teach students new to the bench essential mechanical skills including sizing, retipping, chain and general repairs, and various stone-setting styles. This extended program joins the school’s five-day courses that are geared to students who already have some retail counter and bench repair experience. The school’s Advanced Stone Setting, Fabrication, and Wax Carving classes will cycle at the end of the new eight-week course so that graduates may continue to augment their skills.

For information call (800) 529-4763 or (757) 486-0082.