clear moonstone

[Patstone]

I have to set a clear moonstone in a ring, what is the best way to stop the silver under the moonstone tarnishing please. I have tried cutting a bit from a CD but the bezel is too low and if I put silver it will defeat the object.

[Goldsmith]

First clean the silver under the stone and then paint the silver under the stone with some clear nail varnish and let it dry before setting the moonstone and this will stop it tarnishing. Keep the atmosphere off the silver and it shouldn't tarnish.

James

[Patstone]

I thought of that but wondered if it would last. Thanks James once again!!!!!!

[mizgeorge]

Any sealing glaze will do the job - or a little bit of two part clear epoxy. All you need to do is ensure that no air can get to the silver beneath the stone after it's been set, which is what can cause the dreaded black spot to appear!

[Patstone]

I have put nail polish on it, so I will see how that looks later.

[Dennis]

Another way is to cut a large window in the base, so that the moonstone is just sitting on a narrow rim. Or, if the stone can be a little higher, make a tube as a bearer within the outer tube which is the collet.

Dennis.

[Patstone]

That was my next option, the stone isn't very well cut, got a bumpy back, so that will probably be my next move.

[Dennis]

If you can find a diamond coated sharpening set Pat, they cost very little and can be used for levelling the backs of opaque stones. They can be found in the tool section of pound shops and sometimes Aldi, Liddle, or Maplin and on line.

They are also good for straightening the edges of metal sheet. Dennis.

[Patstone]

I ended up cutting out the back and the sto e sits better. You can see how clear it is in the pic. Needs further polishing but here it is.

[Dennis]

You're a champ again Pat.