At MJSA’s Expo New York 2005, CAD systems, laser welders, and high-tech casting machines faced tough competition from a deceptively simple new technology: Hoover & Strong’s Tru-Seat settings for princess cut stones. The winner of the show’s Best New Technology Award, the Richmond-based company’s setting attracted attention because of its promise to dramatically speed up the setting of a relatively fragile stone shape, while also reducing setting errors and costs. (more…)