Scott
04-12-2017, 09:42 AM
Hello all!
What a great Forum! I would be very grateful if someone could offer some advice or guidance on how to proceed with a repair I am thinking of attempting.
My wife’s wedding ring is 9ct yellow gold with a Tree of Life 9ct rose gold inlay (not a spinner) The inlay has broken in half and is now detached.
10762
A high street jeweller quoted me a price for the repair that made me think a divorce would be cheaper, only a little shy of a new one, and frankly, I just don’t have that to spare. Then, after looking at some videos of jewellery soldering I was thinking, well, how hard can it be! That’s meant to be a joke btw, I know things that look relatively simple only do so because they’re done by people with skill and years of experience and that has a cost, but I like giving things a go, and it looks like fun.
I’m not sure of the questions to ask, but for a start, this is the process as far as I know:
For the solder I was looking at the 9ct solder wire Easy 0.50mm. Is Easy the correct one or should I use Medium?
Clean everything thoroughly
Dip in Borax and Alcohol solution.
Secure ring with inlay in place.
Cut small piece of wire solder and place on joint or is it better to apply with a pick?
Start heating on side opposite the joint, bring heat up to the joint until the solder flows. But when doing the other side, would I need to apply heat directly to the joint to avoid melting the first?
I think the heating process is where I’m most likely to go wrong, as I assume the yellow and rose golds have different temp ranges.
Plus, I’m trying to not only re-join the broken inlay but fix it to the ring, which I’m hoping would happen at the same time. But I don’t know!
I am prepared to make mistakes, but I suppose my main question really is, as a newbie should even attempt it with so little knowledge of any potential pitfalls?
Thanks for looking and for any help offered.
What a great Forum! I would be very grateful if someone could offer some advice or guidance on how to proceed with a repair I am thinking of attempting.
My wife’s wedding ring is 9ct yellow gold with a Tree of Life 9ct rose gold inlay (not a spinner) The inlay has broken in half and is now detached.
10762
A high street jeweller quoted me a price for the repair that made me think a divorce would be cheaper, only a little shy of a new one, and frankly, I just don’t have that to spare. Then, after looking at some videos of jewellery soldering I was thinking, well, how hard can it be! That’s meant to be a joke btw, I know things that look relatively simple only do so because they’re done by people with skill and years of experience and that has a cost, but I like giving things a go, and it looks like fun.
I’m not sure of the questions to ask, but for a start, this is the process as far as I know:
For the solder I was looking at the 9ct solder wire Easy 0.50mm. Is Easy the correct one or should I use Medium?
Clean everything thoroughly
Dip in Borax and Alcohol solution.
Secure ring with inlay in place.
Cut small piece of wire solder and place on joint or is it better to apply with a pick?
Start heating on side opposite the joint, bring heat up to the joint until the solder flows. But when doing the other side, would I need to apply heat directly to the joint to avoid melting the first?
I think the heating process is where I’m most likely to go wrong, as I assume the yellow and rose golds have different temp ranges.
Plus, I’m trying to not only re-join the broken inlay but fix it to the ring, which I’m hoping would happen at the same time. But I don’t know!
I am prepared to make mistakes, but I suppose my main question really is, as a newbie should even attempt it with so little knowledge of any potential pitfalls?
Thanks for looking and for any help offered.