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Thread: A Tale of Two Damaged Rings.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Central London
    Posts
    8,845

    Default A Tale of Two Damaged Rings.

    The welcome relaxation of Covid restrictions has brought family visitors, and with them two damaged rings for repair. Both were thumb rings, which seem to be particularly vulnerable.

    The first, a 9ct white from 2003, had a missing flush set sapphire, easily replaced by refreshing the seat with a slightly bigger burr and using a stone from Cookson’s medley of ten.

    The second, darkened silver, was distorted while jumping a stile and broken at the seam. I’d rather they had run a mile, or eaten a country pancake, as we used to tease when they were young.

    Luckily it was set with small black diamonds, which gave me a rare opportunity to try out the much repeated dictum, that you can solder items with diamonds in place.
    First a burnisher was taken around the flush set stones to make sure that they were firmly in place. Then the edges were scraped and brought together with soft jawed pliers. Soldering proved to be simple enough, and the ring was allowed to air cool before pickling.

    The distortion was corrected using a ring stretcher, so avoiding the use of a hammer. Then lots more burnishing to secure the stones, and partial replacement of the patina with diluted Platinol. Hopefully further darkening will continue naturally. Dennis.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails D1 Damaged Rings.jpg   D3 New Sapphire Set.jpg   D2 Ring Soldered.jpg  

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    3,392

    Default

    They do like to challenge you Dennis but I’m sure it was a welcome change from Perspex. It’s nice to visit early pieces sometimes if only to see how far you’ve moved on or how much designs have changed

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    cotswolds
    Posts
    3,383

    Default

    At least they were your own pieces - I dread it when family and friends turn up with things they need repairing and I have no idea of their history!

    Elegantly done - and both pieces still look very wearable indeed I have to admit, I don't find thumb rings very comfortable, but I suspect that's because I'm working with my hands all day (and often half the night!).

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,844

    Default

    Came up well, must be the season just been given 10 mins ago a eternity ring to replace a Sapphire, my friend Karen in QLD solders items with with Diamonds in place often

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Central London
    Posts
    8,845

    Default

    Well I must admit, I've never worn rings myself. Just curious how they behave on others. Dennis.

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