Secure Your Jewelry: Tips for Keeping Gemstones in Place

Question
Hi Thomas & thanks for taking the time to answer my question.  My wifes ring consists of a 1.3 caret marquis diamond in the center flanked by two trillant cut stones -a 1/2 caret aquamarine on one side and a 1/2 caret amethyst on the other.  She uses her hands a lot and the aquamarine fell out & she was wery fortunate to find it.  She is now afraid to wear the ring for fear of losing another stone. What do you recommend to help hold the stones in place better?  Is epoxy a vialbe option? I would love for her to be able to wear the ring without fear and so would she.  Thanks so much.  Harry

Answer
Harry, if the ring is of any worth I would not resort to cements unless it is a last resort. With a 1.3 carat diamond the ring certainly has worth.  I do not know the metal the ring is made of but with gold or other precious metals a competent jeweler can likely reset the aquamarine and tighten the other stones if needed.  If needed, prong ends can be built up to provide more wear down the road of time.  

If you do consider a cement, the best I can recommend is a UV or ultraviolet curing cement.  These cements cure in sunlight or under an ultraviolet lamp. The cement works in a way similar to the stuff a dentist uses and cures with a UV lamp. The cements do a very good job.  Advice: apply only thin amount at contact points. Thick layers tend to stay sticky and not cure properly.

Otherwise, use a two part epoxy, with the water clear Hughes 330 recommended. Mix the two parts, apply a touch at contact points and let all set aside for the cement to cure. Warmth from being on a warm surface(warm to touch, not hot)will let the metal warm and the cement will flow into recesses.  The cement will cure more quickly this way, too.  

If any sort of cement is used, clean all with alcohol first to be certain all oils, etc., are not there! Even fingerprints have enough oil to lessen the life span of the cemented join. Clean as well as possible and the joint will hold for a very long time.

I do hope this helps somewhat. God Bless and Peace..  Thomas.