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Thread: Repair work on 375 mixed metal ring... thick black gunk!

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  1. #1
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    Smile Repair work on 375 mixed metal ring... thick black gunk!

    Hi all =)

    Hope you are keeping safe out there.
    I'm hoping someone with more experience than I can help with a job I have!

    I have been given a wedding ring to repair. I cleaned with hot water/soap and a toothbrush then ran it in the ultrasonic prior to working on it.
    It's hallmarked 375 gold and appears solid yellow gold with a twisted tri colour decorated band along the centre in red gold, white and yellow.
    When I heated the ring to start soldering (there's a small crack in the rose gold needing repair)... some black gunk started seeping out from between the tri colour band and decorative ring edge.
    I stopped heating further just in case it was something I haven't come across and put it in some pickle!
    Is it possible this is just more of the 2o years of dirt coming out or should I be aware of something else it could be?
    I was able to clean it off with some elbow grease but it took some shifting.

    Thanks in advance...
    I've tried to attach a picture but it keeps failing!

    Maria

  2. #2
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    Click image for larger version. 

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    Picture if it's worked!

  3. #3
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    What came out in the ultrasonic , that would indicate whether it’s just lots of dirt or something else? It is pure gold?

  4. #4
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    I'd concur. For really gunked up pieces I sometimes soak them in caustic soda prior to the u/s clean.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by CJ57 View Post
    What came out in the ultrasonic , that would indicate whether it’s just lots of dirt or something else? It is pure gold?
    Thanks so much for your replies!
    I only have a cheap ultrasonic so yes I might need to soak it first for a bit.
    It is hallmarked as 375 and feels pretty solid. White gold always makes me nervous as it seems to stain pretty quickly and I have had trouble removing firestain from a white gold ring when I first started which traumatised me =).

    Caustic soda sounds scary Peter?!

  6. #6
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    If attempting a repair on combined 9ct yellow and white gold, be sure to use only easy solder, or better still make your excuses and hand it back. Dennis.

  7. #7
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    Ha. Yes, my husband unexpectedly brought it home from a work colleague otherwise I would have kindly refused this sort of job!

    I have now been informed it is from H Samuels...hollow under neath the twisted area and filled with gunk perhaps?
    Offer to make a new one?!

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Madge View Post
    Caustic soda sounds scary Peter?!
    It's something to treat with caution - but most chemicals are, really. It's very effective on accumulated gunk in rings, providing there's no stones that won't handle it.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by ps_bond View Post
    It's something to treat with caution - but most chemicals are, really. It's very effective on accumulated gunk in rings, providing there's no stones that won't handle it.
    Great thanks, if it doesn't go back I might give that a try.
    Thanks for your help.

    Maria

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