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Post by takecouragedesigns on May 18, 2017 12:45:19 GMT -5
I'm just venturing into smithing/soldering, after being a long time wire wrapper. I have this idea that I'm trying out with an Ed Orekar Montana Agate pendant. Trying to add a faceted smoky quartz gemstone accent, but it is already in a sterling setting. I know that for the most part, you can't solder with a stone already there, but is smoky quartz one that you could get away with that process? It's in a prong setting, so am reluctant to unmount it for the risk of ruining the prongs.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on May 18, 2017 12:49:12 GMT -5
No, quartz is heat sensitive. You'll need to remove it first, or gamble with some kind of heat sink to protect the stone while soldering.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on May 18, 2017 14:09:12 GMT -5
No, quartz is heat sensitive. You'll need to remove it first, or gamble with some kind of heat sink to protect the stone while soldering. ^^That! I've tried and failed - feel free to try again.. bad science is keeping on doing the same thing and expecting different results. With an efficient heat sink you *may* get away with the heating, but then will you actually get the piece hot enough to allow your solder to run?
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gemfeller
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Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,792
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Post by gemfeller on May 18, 2017 19:20:45 GMT -5
You probably could do it with gold but silver's a different animal. It's one of the best heat conducting metals known and the whole piece must reach soldering temp before the solder flows. That'll cook most stones. There are a couple of advanced ways to do it with silver but one is risky and the other involves a special technique using an electric soldering machine that costs upwards of $500. It's always best to remove stones before soldering.
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Post by takecouragedesigns on May 19, 2017 8:13:34 GMT -5
Thank you so much for your helpful responses- looks like I'll have to lift some prongs and remove a stone!
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