Learn about our 2025 Bench Jeweler Workshop from vendors, influencers, and customers who got a first-hand experience of the event.
On any given day, the halls of Stuller are filled with a myriad of sounds — designers sketching new ideas for unique jewelry designs, technicians prepping metal to be made into an array of products, customer care associates serving customers on the phones, and more. But, once a year, those same halls are filled with a little extra magic — our industry experts sharing decades worth of knowledge, vendors showing live demos of exciting new products, and customers conversing and laughing with friends old and new.
It's a weekend so many of us look forward to every year. That’s right, I’m talking about our annual Bench Jeweler Workshop. And just two weeks ago, these halls were buzzing with the sounds from our 21st year of this highly anticipated event. For those who are unfamiliar with this event, you may find yourself asking what makes Bench Jeweler Workshop so special? To put it simply, it’s the premier event for bench jewelers, featuring in-depth classes, new product demonstrations, networking opportunities, and more.
But don’t just take my word for it. Hear from the individuals who got to experience the event up close and personal. Join me as I share a glimpse into the magic of this weekend through the eyes of the people who make it so special.
Through the Eyes of the Innovators…Our Vendors
One of the first things you’ll see when walking onto our demo floor is various tables filled by several of our incredible vendors. They’ve filled their areas with all the ideas they’ve brought to life for customers to see in action. It’s a unique experience for customers and vendors alike, allowing both to form connections and test innovation. So, what do our vendors have to say about our big event? Let’s hear from two sides of the coin, a first-time vendor and a veteran vendor.
Roy Gessman, Vice President of Sales
LaserStar Technologies
Q: It’s your first time at Bench Jeweler Workshop. What are your first impressions of the event?
A: “I’m so impressed with the setup and flow of the room and the customers are focused and asking great questions. Plus, the Stuller team is so accommodating and is making everyone feel so welcome.”
Q: If you could tell someone who hasn’t experienced Stuller or Bench Jeweler Workshop something to convince them to check it out, what would you tell them?
A: “Do it. Come to Lafayette; come meet the team. There’s always someone here to help you answer any questions about all the leading technology. It’s a one-stop shop to learn a lot in a short amount of time.”
Chriss Correll, President
GRS
Q: What is it that keeps you coming back to Bench Jeweler Workshop?
A: “Stuller is a major partner, and we come to show support. It’s a good opportunity to be at one of the best events in the industry. There’s always a lot of excitement and new ideas here. Overall, there’s just a general energy that we all have with a common interest. It’s an absolute first-class event.”
Q: What would you say to someone who is on the fence about attending Bench Jeweler Workshop?
A: “Definitely come. To me, it’s a no brainer with what you guys do here and the hospitality and welcoming nature of everything. Everything is in one location — the variety of the products and the fact that you have true experts at each of the brands and products, including Stuller staff. It’s easy to get to and is a worth-while event over and over. If you are a bench jeweler, you have to go.”
Want to explore the many products Stuller has to offer? Check out our assortment of tools and equipment on our website.
Through the Eyes of the Relationship Builders…Our Influencers
In addition to our vendors, this year we were fortunate enough to host two influencers in the jewelry industry, Corkie Bolton (@corkieboltonjewelry) and Allie Perry (@allieperrydesigns). These women have taken the online jewelry industry by storm. And this year, they got to experience the magic of Bench Jeweler Workshop for themselves, all while sharing their crafts through live demonstrations. When they weren’t busy sparking inspiration to those watching, I got the chance to find out what it was like for them to step away from the social media world and into the Stuller-verse.
Corkie Bolton, Goldsmith & Engraver
Rhode Island
Q: What are your thoughts about visiting Stuller for the first time?
A: “I feel like I expected it to be awesome and cool like this because it’s Stuller. But it’s awesome. The experience of coming here has truly been so good. It’s hard to articulate — the talented people here, getting to see all the different spaces, it’s just all really cool.”
Allie Perry, Goldsmith
Connecticut
Q: How is the setup of Bench Jeweler Workshop compared to what you expected?
A: “It’s cozier than I expected. It was very approachable and felt doable. Sometimes you go to an event, and it feels like you’re never going to see all of it. Here, I feel like I can not only see all of it, but I can talk to people and really get something out of it. The scale of it is astounding. I’ve never seen anything close to as massive as what you guys operate.”
Curious to see the action through Allie’s eyes? Watch her behind-the-scenes recap from the weekend.
Through the Eyes of the Competitors…Our Battle of the Benches® Participants
Aside from getting to watch demos and explore new products, one of the biggest attractions every year at Bench Jeweler Workshop is our Battle of the Benches competition. This live competition consists of three challenges — Ring Repair, CAD, and Parts & Pieces— and allows customers to participate and test their skills among their peers. It also includes two student challenges, Stone Setting and Ring Sizing. This year, we got the privilege to interview a couple of our competitors and get their take on the competition and the weekend.
Alan Harper, Clarksville Jewelers, Clarksville, TN
Parts & Pieces Competitor, Tied 1st Place Winner
Q: Coming in as last year’s winner, what were your thoughts on this year’s competition?
A: “It was awesome. I was really impressed. Everyone is turning in amazing pieces today and is really on point. These people are artists.”
Haven Honeycutt, Perry’s Diamonds, Charlotte, NC
Parts & Pieces Competitor
Q: What has been your favorite part of the weekend?
A: “The entire time I’ve been here, everyone has been super friendly. Lunch time has been one of my favorite parts of this trip — people just sit down with others and start sharing stories. It’s been a really unique opportunity, and I’d recommend it to anybody. I definitely hope to be back next year.”
Didn’t get a chance to watch the challenges live? Watch the recaps from our Battle of the Benches competition on our YouTube channel.
Battle of the Benches Competition Winners
Ring Repair: Christian Schneider, Green Brothers Jewelers, Victoria, TX
CAD: Joseph Khalil, Zolnier Championship Rings, Wallington, NJ
Parts & Pieces (tie): Alan Harper, Clarksville Jewelers, Clarksville, TN
Carlos Rodriquez, D_Lux Jewelers Inc., Tampa, FL
Student Stone Setting: Nathan Bradley, Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, Paris, TX
Student Ring Sizing: Sebastian Padilla, Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, Paris, TX
Through the Eyes of the Creators…Our Customers
Amidst all the demos, classes, and competitions that take place, there is one group of people witnessing it all that holds a special place in our hearts — our customers. They are the reason we do what we do every single day. Getting the opportunity to host nearly 150 customers all weekend long and getting the chance to engage with them one on one is possibly the most rewarding part of Bench Jeweler Workshop. They’ve come from all over to learn from our experts, build connections with their peers, and gain inspiration for their businesses. It is always a joy for our team to be able to provide an experience they won’t forget — and hopefully one they’ll want to experience again. So, what do our customers think of Bench Jeweler Workshop? Let’s hear from a few of them from various backgrounds.
Abigail Deegan, Student
Paris Junior College
Q: Did you have any expectations coming here? How does Stuller measure up to those?
A: “I had very high expectations — I was counting down the minutes — and Stuller has met every single expectation. Everyone here has been so welcoming, and I’ve learned so much. This is the Disney World for jewelers.”
Q: As a student, what are you excited to take away from Bench Jeweler Workshop as you prepare to enter the industry?
A: “I’m learning a lot about the manufacturing side of jewelry. I never thought I’d be interested in manufacturing, but getting to see it here is making me rethink that. I love getting to see how the people here are still getting to be very hands-on.”
Chris Daniel and Leslie Shar-Daniel, Chris Daniel Designs
Lebanon, TX
Q: As first-time Bench Jeweler Workshop attendees, what has been your overall takeaway from the weekend?
A: “The experience has been amazing. We had plans to come in 2020 before everything shut down, but the event unfortunately got cancelled. Five years later, we finally were able to make it happen to get here. We’ve learned so much — from diamond grading to different ring finishes — and have met some really good people. The staff has been amazing, and we now consider them friends. We look forward to coming back in the future.”
Darrell Parker, Parker Jewelers
Three Rivers, MI
Q: As a returning attendee, why do you choose to keep coming back to Bench Jeweler Workshop?
A: “It’s fun. You meet a lot of people that become friends after time. And Stuller is so kind. It’s just a good atmosphere — you’re around people that do what you do, and you can appreciate and understand the work they do. Getting to see the different talents and passion through the competitions is fantastic.”
Q: Do you feel like you continue to learn new things when you come back each time?
A: “You never quit learning. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve been doing bench work. There’s always new tricks, tools, and technology. You always learn something every time you come here.”
Q: What would you say to someone who hasn’t been here before?
A: “You should definitely come. Whether you’re a year or two on the bench or 30–40 years on the bench, it’s just a great atmosphere to be a part of. If you’re into seeing the hands-on demos, the equipment being used, and being surrounded by like-minded people, it’s just something you have to come to.”
So, if these customers were to describe Bench Jeweler Workshop in one word, what would it be? Watch our video to see what they said.
Experience It for Yourself
I think it’s safe to say that our vendors, influencers, competitors, and customers love Bench Jeweler Workshop as much as we do. While this year’s event has come to an end, there’s still plenty of opportunities to come to our headquarters in Lafayette, Louisiana, for trainings and other events.
Visit our events page to see what events are available, and get ready to experience a world of creativity, growth, and inspiration. We look forward to hosting you soon!