E-MAIL NEWSLETTER FOR BENCH JEWELERS

JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler Bradney W. Simon is launching E-Bench, a free monthly e-mail newsletter for bench jewelers and shop managers. The newsletter is produced by the Institute for Bench Jewelers, which provides continuing-education materials for jewelry store shop personnel.

Issues will contain articles on shop management and bench skills and tips.

The newsletter is scheduled to premiere next month. To receive a subscription, send an e-mail to mstrjwlr@spartanburg.net and type “E-Bench” as the subject.

GAA OFFERS WEB SITE DESIGN

The Gift Association of America is offering Web site design to its members. Members who sign on to the program will receive a Web site containing four pages. Each site will be customized and designed so that confidential information is available only through password-protected systems. Member sites will link to the association’s Web site and directory.

The Web site design is free; there is an annual hosting fee and a charge to update the pages. For information, call the association at (800) 325-2087 or (610) 831-1841.

WISCONSIN JEWELER LAUNCHES ONLINE STORE

Ventura Fine Jewelers of Kenosha, Wis., has launched an online store, www.VenturaJewelers.com. The site gives Web shoppers a larger-than-life view of the collections.

Featured on the site are Ventura Fine Jewelers Diamond Classics, a collection of the store’s most-requested earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Vintage Watches and Luxury Boutique pages offer one-of-a-kind pieces from around the world.

The site also offers educational resources for consumers, including Diamond Facts pages, a guide for those buying fine diamonds.

CASTALDO’S SITE GOES INTERNATIONAL

The Castaldo Jewelry Molding Rubber Web site, www.calstaldorubber.com, offers information and instructions in English and 13 other languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, and Turkish.

The site includes a catalog of Castaldo jewelry manufacturing products, how-to articles, and technical bulletins.

CAS-KER LAUNCHES INTERNET SITE

The Cas-Ker Co., a Cincinnati distributor and importer of tools and equipment for jewelers and watchmakers, has launched a Web site, www.casker.com.

The site features more than 400 items from the company’s product line. Each item is illustrated in color and is linked to a shopping basket to facilitate online ordering via a secure server.