QuestionHi Thomas,
What solder do I need to join stainless steel to sterling silver and stainless steel to gold i.e, hard, medium, easy, etc.? Also, can I use the same flux paste for both or do I need different flux paste considering the differences in metal?
Last question - how easy/difficult is it to lift and reset a stone that is set in stainless steel prongs (4-prong round)? I have a ring with a stone set in stainless steel but want to remove it and replace it with a better one.
Theresa
AnswerDear Theresa,
If trying to join stainless steel and sterling the melting temperature of the silver solder will make no difference in this very, very difficult task. Stainless steel needs protection from the air for it to work, meaning a cover gas such as argon and joining by methods other than torch.
Using normal jewelry torch methods and a good paste flux (such as Handy Flux) you can get silver solder to flow on the steel using a torch. However, to be able to flow the solder securely to the steel and the silver is very, very difficult and generally winds up with a melted silver finding. If not melted and all looks ok, chances are very high the joint is a "cold joint, appearing to be joined but not really, only being flowed to the surface of the steel and not brazed as a part of it. You can give it a try but before you start expect a poor result. Soldering stainless in the open air with a jewelers torch and silver solders is basically a "will not work" situation.*
As for bending the prongs, with so many different alloys of stainless steel out there who knows how soft or hard are the prongs in your ring. I imagine the metal is not too hard to bend or it would not have been used in the first place as a stone setting. You should be able to carefully bend the prongs out just enough to remove the stone. Using gentle pressure, the prongs should bend in to set the stone as well. Go easy and feel how tough is the metal as you bend it. If it feels too tough to bend, you might have to break out the original stone(assuming is it not valuable) and then try to fit a new stone in the seat. Honestly, this is a try it and see sort of situation.
Theresa, best wishes with the stone change. *I believe it best not even to try the soldering. Jewelers ran into problems with stainless some years ago when class rings made of stainless steel hit the market. Anyone who tried to size one down wound up owning the ruined ring.
Best Wishes, God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
