TechForm Heads to AGS Conclave 2026: Three Must-Attend Sessions on Casting and Metallurgy
We’re excited to share that Joel Meltzer and Silas Morgan of TechForm Advanced Casting Technology will be presenting three educational sessions at the American Gem Society’s 2026 International Conclave, taking place September 14–17 in Orlando, Florida. Their sessions are designed for jewelry professionals who want a clearer understanding of how precious metal castings are made, what makes a design cast successfully, and how metallurgy affects quality at the bench, the sales counter, and beyond.
Whether you are a retailer, appraiser, vendor, designer, bench jeweler, or simply curious about the technical side of jewelry manufacturing, these sessions will offer practical insight into the science and process behind exceptional platinum, gold, and palladium castings.
Session 1: Casting 101 for Non-Casting Jewelry Professionals
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 4:00–5:00 p.m. EDT | Olympic A
Lost-wax casting touches nearly every corner of the jewelry ecosystem, even for professionals who never work at a bench or inside a casting shop. In this approachable session, Joel and Silas will walk attendees through the casting process from design concept to finished metal, including pattern creation, mold building, spruing, investment, kiln firing, and casting into the chosen alloy.
Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of the “laws of physics” that shape what is possible in precious metal casting, along with practical tips for designing for casting success, choosing appropriate manufacturing methods, and identifying potential issues in finished jewelry.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 3:00–4:00 p.m. EDT | Olympic A
Session 2: What Every Jeweler Should Know About Precious Metals Metallurgy
Jewelers are fluent in karat, color, and metalworking techniques, but a deeper understanding of metallurgy can illuminate why certain issues arise in production, repair, and long-term wear. This session will explore the properties of precious metal alloys, the relationship between casting technique and quality, and the anatomy of common casting defects.
Joel and Silas will also discuss the metallurgical impact of common bench techniques and show how technical knowledge can become a valuable tool at the sales counter when explaining quality, durability, and manufacturing choices to customers.
Session 3: Designing Jewelry for Casting Success – From Concept to CAD to Efficient Finishing
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 4:30–5:30 p.m. EDT | Olympic A
CAD opens the door to extraordinary design possibilities, but what looks perfect on screen still has to survive the realities of metal flow, shrinkage, finishing, and wear. In this session, Joel and Silas will provide clear guidelines for designing jewelry that casts successfully and finishes efficiently.
Topics include minimum wall thickness, casting holes, dimensional tolerances, shrink rates, feature radius, differences in metal flow by alloy, hallmarks, finishing access, and the “Zoom of Doom”—a helpful reminder that ultra-tiny screen details don’t always translate into castable metal features.
Why These Sessions Matter
At TechForm, casting is both a science and a craft. These AGS Conclave sessions are an opportunity to demystify the manufacturing process and help jewelry professionals make more informed decisions—from the first design sketch to the final inspection of a finished piece.
If you’ll be attending AGS Conclave 2026, we hope you’ll join Joel and Silas in Olympic A for one—or all three—of these practical, technical, and highly relevant sessions. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando this September.
