QuestionHi there.
I have a solid plaster moulded statue that i would like to attach CZ stones to. I am trying to maximise the reflectiveness of the stones. The plaster itself is white. The stones are "diamond white" AAA round with sizes from 3mm to 10mm.
I would like to know what the experts think the best adhesive to use would be that wouldn't dis-color over time and is also not to tricky for an amateur to use.
I would also like to know if there is any way to improve the "twinkle" of the stones such as gluing them in the holes with a foil backing??
Any help or tips would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Jon
AnswerJon T, I do apologize for being a day late with this answer. I am within the site guidelines but personally like to answer sooner. Some trying circumstances occupied much time and we must care for our lives and loved ones just as anyone else.
But now, I am here and do have some advice on cements and stones. First, please understand what LESSENS THE TWINKLE, the return of light and sparkle of the stone. Keeping this in your thoughts will help you in deciding how to attach the stones to the statue. The facets of the stone control the sparkle. These are the flat faces on the stone. The facets act like windows and mirrors. From the top of the gem, the facets are windows to let light into the stone. Once in the stone, the light is reflected from one facet to another and back out the top of the stone. This light coming back out of the stone is the twinkle and sparkle. As you can clearly see, this activity of light is different from the light simply reflected off the top of the stone to your eyes.
IF THE FACETS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STONE ACTING AS MIRRORS TO REFLECT LIGHT ARE DISTURBED, then the sparkle is greatly lessened. Anything on those faces such as finger oils from the skin, cement, etc., will tend to blend the facet into the background and will shut down the mirror effect. A diamond can be dirty on the back and still reflect light pretty well. A CZ needs to be clean with nothing on the facets on the bottom of the gem. This means, when in a hole, the bottom of the CZ should not touch the plaster. You may need to deepen the hole a slight amount!
Any cement to hold the stone in a hole must not be on the back of the stone. So where to put the cement? Put the cement just on the edge of the hole, just a thin rim of cement so only that narrow contact will have cement on the facets and those will be near the waist of the stone and have less effect on the sparkle.
The best cement is a two part epoxy of a brand made to cure water clear. Hughes Epoxy 330 will do the trick. This takes about 2 hours to cure so a very thin line or a few small dots are placed on the rim of the hole. Let it sit like that for about 10 minutes then gently place the CZ in position. The statue must be turned so the stone does not fall out since the cement will not hold the stone until the cure begins and the mixed epoxy thickens. Do a few stones, turn the statue and do some others. You may need to somehow support the stones in place. Keep the freshly mixed cement on the mixing surface ( a small plastic baggie or coated cardboard will work). Leave the mixing tool (toothpick or whatever is used) in the uncured cement. By checking the mixing tool in the cement you can tell how close to solid cure the glue has become without disturbing the stones.
Foil behind the CZ stones will not work.
To avoid all the issue of sparkle and cements lessening that, purchase some foil back rhinestones. These are glass stones used in costume jewelry with a mirror back factory applied. The stones do not sparkle like a CZ but do sparkle like many little mirrors. With these, you can actually be sloppy with the epoxy as long as it is not on the surface of the stone. What is on the backs does not matter since the mirror is part of the stone and protected from the cement. If you like this look, the work will be much easier to accomplish. With foil back rhinestones, the cement does not need to cure water clear if none shows on the surface edges of the holes. Still, for best results, a clear non-color curing epoxy is best.
Jon, please keep in mind this important step: With the CZ stones, the stones should be clean and free of any oils from finger prints, etc. when cemented into the statue. Prior to application of the gems to the statue, clean the stones with alcohol, pat dry and wipe the backs with a soft and clean cloth. No only does cleanliness allow a better looking stone when cemented, the clean stone back will stay cemented while one with even slight oil smudges may loosen and come off the statue some time in the future.
Best wishes with the project! God Bless and Peace.. Thomas.
