Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Feb 26, 2023 15:51:41 GMT -5
Firstly, a little show and tell. I agreed to do a jewelry repair for a friend of mine even though I had no experience with what she was asking. I accepted the challenge. She had broke a piece of inlay in her eclectic southwest ring. First I had to remove the whole section, and I had to find a piece that would look okay with the rest of the stones. I chose a piece of banded “onyx”, I decided it was as busy/crazy as the rest. It took a couple of pieces to get get it to fit right, the first try it wasn’t a seamless fit. The second to time, I tapered the piece until it fit in seamlessly, and used epoxy to set it in. I then ground down and rounded the stone and finished. I was very nervous taking up this challenge considering it was not my own.   Which brings me to the reason for this post, she was so happy with my repair, she has imparted me with another challenge. It appears that this blue lace agate teardrop was epoxyed into this silver ring setting and now it has fallen out. I am thinking the best course of action should be to remove the old epoxy, clean up the ring, and then just re-epoxy the stone back in. Would anybody agree? Is there anything else anybody would do, or do differently? I am not experienced with jewelry repair, and I would prefer not to screw it up! Any input is appreciated!   |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 26, 2023 16:16:07 GMT -5
First off, I think you did a sweet job on the first one.  Secondly, I don't know what you COULD do differently unless you wanted to use a different stone. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 26, 2023 16:20:02 GMT -5
I agree with rockjunquie . Really nice stone replacement job! The second ring doesn't look like there's any other alternative for holding the stone in that ring. |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Feb 26, 2023 16:47:40 GMT -5
Is there any room to add a minimal base plate for this teardrop? Even a partial plate across the bottom to help give the stone more support and more room for epoxy? It doesn’t look like there is much of a border seat for the cab? And no bezel to push in? If room I might try soldering an extra base plate in?
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 26, 2023 19:40:36 GMT -5
Holy Shamoley that was a fantastic repair on that first ring!! Definitely a "pat on the back" moment on that one!! I probably know less than you about repairs...but I wouldn't hesitate to epoxy that stone back in on that second one...take that for what it's worth!  |
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Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Feb 26, 2023 21:07:15 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I was really proud of that repair, I spent a long time getting it right. khara hmm, it might be possible to add in a base plate. The stone fits in just right, but the seat is very minimal, and that’s what I was concerned about. I might just give that a try. Thanks. To remove the old epoxy should I soak it in alcohol or maybe even acetone? |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 26, 2023 21:23:58 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I was really proud of that repair, I spent a long time getting it right. khara hmm, it might be possible to add in a base plate. The stone fits in just right, but the seat is very minimal, and that’s what I was concerned about. I might just give that a try. Thanks. To remove the old epoxy should I soak it in alcohol or maybe even acetone? Acetone. Alcohol won't work. |
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Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Feb 26, 2023 21:48:44 GMT -5
Thanks!
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Feb 27, 2023 2:21:50 GMT -5
Be careful about using a plastic container to soak with acetone. The wrong kind of plastic will melt. Ask how I know that. It’s not necessarily intuitive since acetone often comes in a plastic container. I use glass mason jars.
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Post by 1dave on Feb 27, 2023 2:35:03 GMT -5
Tracie When you've got it, FLAUNT IT!
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Post by rmf on Feb 27, 2023 5:54:21 GMT -5
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 27, 2023 10:20:23 GMT -5
Tracie how deep is that seat for the stone? The ring looks cast to me so it might be harder to move that metal.
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Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Feb 27, 2023 17:01:23 GMT -5
Since there wasn’t a stone in the piece, I boiled the ring for a minute and then the old epoxy easily came off. rmf I have done quite a few bezels. I was planning on putting in epoxy because that is what was originally done to the ring. They probably added the epoxy for extra security. hummingbirdstones it definitely has the appearance of a cast piece, the jagged rough part you can see in the picture by the seat reminds me of rough pieces when casted. But it’s not very thick, and could easily just be 20g sheet silver. As for the top bezel piece, that definitely was soldered on, I think I can see where it was connected, most likely 20gauge, but it might be 22gauge. But besides that, now that I have the old epoxy out, the stone fits in just right, BUT it doesn’t go down to the seat, wobbles from side to side. I know it’s because the bezel sides where pushed over… Do you think it’s possible to push the sides back out, so the stone can sit flush again, and then re-push them to set it in? Ugh, I guess I am just looking for reassurance, because I really don’t see any other way. Annealing it should soften it up enough, I just hope I don’t distort it to much. Anybody seeing anything I don’t?   |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Feb 27, 2023 18:33:38 GMT -5
The seat for the stone looks really rough and not flat. Do you happen to have a small setting bur like this? If so, You might try cleaning up and flattening the rough seat area by slowly trimming with the angled portion of the bur.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 27, 2023 21:36:38 GMT -5
Tracie Ok I can see that it wasn't cast at all. opalpyrexia Gary's suggestion is very good. It looks like they made quite a mess of where the ring shank was soldered to the back. I would try what Gary suggested. You should be able to push that bezel against the stone and burnish it well enough to hold it in once the seat is smoothed out in that gnarly area.
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Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Feb 28, 2023 0:14:49 GMT -5
opalpyrexia hummingbirdstones I will definitely look into finding a bud like that to clean up the seat. More of my concern at the moment is getting the stone to sit all the way down on the seat. Currently, it is just shy from sitting down on the bezel, and it is because of the original pushing of the bezel sides when it was made. Before I attempt and possibly distort it, you guys think I could safely re-straighten the bezel to fit the stone in and then re-push the sides over?
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 28, 2023 9:33:48 GMT -5
opalpyrexia hummingbirdstones I will definitely look into finding a bud like that to clean up the seat. More of my concern at the moment is getting the stone to sit all the way down on the seat. Currently, it is just shy from sitting down on the bezel, and it is because of the original pushing of the bezel sides when it was made. Before I attempt and possibly distort it, you guys think I could safely re-straighten the bezel to fit the stone in and then re-push the sides over? Yes, you should be able to do that without too much of a problem. I would maybe anneal it first. |
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Post by 1dave on Mar 1, 2023 1:34:47 GMT -5
I was taught to push the bezel with one of these:  But I found I liked a 1", 1 1/2". or two inch wide # 1/4" or 3/8" iron better. Most places that work iron will have scrap they will give you for free.  |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Mar 1, 2023 2:40:34 GMT -5
1dave Looks like you have really shaped and smooth that little steel plate quite a bit. Did you do that on a grinding wheel? And then how did you get it so smooth?
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Post by rmf on Mar 1, 2023 5:45:21 GMT -5
@tracie Bezel wire is usually soft and can be opened up or gently pushed out at least once. Particularly if they did a good solder job. With the stone out it is much easier. Looks like you have a good handle on it. the first image 1dave shows is a burnisher and it will work well for closing the bezel again just gently around the stone. Though any polished metal will work. You can make your own. |
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Secondly, I don't know what you COULD do differently unless you wanted to use a different stone. 
