Soldering silver with gems set already!!!

**Jobear** · 06-04-2010, 08:05 PM

Hi there,
I have a ring that is made from three separate silver rings each with a turquoise stone set in them. Unfortunately one of the three rings has come apart from the other rings so I need to fix them back together again but if I solder this will crack the stones. Does anyone know a solution please?

Thank you
Jo

**agent_44** · 06-04-2010, 08:58 PM

You could try using some thing like this Heat Insulating Gel, Thermo Gel 125gm - Cooksongold.com but I guess you couldn't 100% guarantee that the stone would survive.

**Dennis** · 06-04-2010, 09:22 PM

Unfortunately, I am pretty sure that you will have to unset the stones before your repair (see my recent post about using a scalpel or craft knife for this). Turquoise is easily destroyed by heat and silver is a terrific conductor. I have tried using heat barrier paste with silver and had no success myself. Sorry to be so negative, but if you find a shortcut please tell us. Kind regards Dennis.

**ps_bond** · 06-04-2010, 09:24 PM

Take the stones out, solder and reset. For more resilient stones I might stuff them in wet sand or underwater, but for something like turquoise I wouldn't risk it. YMMV.

**daisychain** · 07-04-2010, 09:11 PM

I'm with Peter and Dennis. I've never had much success with heat paste on stones. It's useful for protecting joints that have been soldered already, but I've found that it you put it on thick enough to protect the stones, it's too much of a heat sink.
Taking the stones out is easier than you think if you take it slowly. Here's a turquoise ring that I repaired last year Daisychain Designs: A couple of repairs

**MuranoSilver** · 08-04-2010, 07:50 AM

Jo Love the blog post about the repair ~ it's why I normally give a polite no too

Nic xx

**daisychain** · 08-04-2010, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by MuranoSilver

Jo Love the blog post about the repair ~ it's why I normally give a polite no too

Nic xx

It was rather difficult when my OH came home with it - as it was then in the house it was difficult to say no! I did charge a decent price for the repairs though (there was another very easy to repair ring too), and it didn't put OH's friend off as he's asked me to do more!