QuestionThomas,
Another, slightly shorter question. I am interested in attaching briolettes to chain via rings or D rings for a clean look, as opposed to wrapped loops. I've done a few pieces bending D rings to fit, and they seem relatively secure, but I am not confident enough to sell these pieces as is, especially with smaller stones requiring lighter gauge wire. I am considering adding a touch of glue inside the stone for extra security, but I am unsure of what type of glue. Is there a preferred kind for jewelry work? I have found a few online, but I am unsure of what factors I should be choosing on. Are jeweler's type glues usually waterproof?
The only other way I can think of is bending the loop with the stone on the wire and soldering, but I was concerned about the heat in such close proximity to the stones, and I haven't figured out how to bend a nice symmetrical loop this way.
What would be a method you would recommend, taking in to account particularly security of the stone?
Thank you so much,
Aimee
Answer
Loop on Drilled Stone
Aimee, I do hope this answer will allow attachment of an image.
My suggestion is to form the wire so the ends fit into the drill hole, if the top of the stone is wide enough. Be very careful at the drill hole edges since pressure can cause chipping. Apply an epoxy cement of the two part sort. I recommend Hughes 330, made for metal and stones and certainly waterproof. Run a little into the hole and put a tiny bit on the wire ends and insert the wire, bending the top as needed to gain a close fit. Allow the cement 2 hours to cure or place under a light bulb or other soft heat source and it should cure in 30 minutes. Leave the toothpick or what was used to mix the epoxy with the leftover cement so you can move it to see when cured and not mess with the stone loop until fully cured.
This should be secure in most cases.
For more security, sure, a soldered loop will certainly do the trick but this means protecting the stone from heat. To protect from heat, either immerse the stone and wire lower section at the drill hole in water or wrap with a wet paper. Then with a hot little flame quickly solder the ends of the loop. If you use a tin based soft solder(not recommended but it will work) most protection measures are not needed. In some cases, you might have to use a wire wrap loop at the stone top but these can be made attractive with practice.
Bending the loops to fine form and shape simply takes practice and application of tension on the wire to sort of bend the longer sections a bit at a time and not in little repetitive bends which tend to leave a staggered look.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. August 24, 2008 3:51pm
