Re-plating Jewelry with Mounted Stones: Can It Be Done?

Question
I have a small pendant holding an Opal stone. The metal casting needs to be re-plated (gold, it think). The jade appears to have been cemented in place into a recess of the casting, as opposed to prongs. Can it be re-plated with the stone in place?

Answer
Al, thanks for the question.  Depending on the stones and the plating solutions used, plating is done with the stones set into the item.  Stones like pearls, lapis and perhaps some jade are best removed.  You see, the solutions are either acid or cyanide based and some stones will be damaged by the chemicals in the plate solutions. Heat is generally not a problem since the solutions are  used at 140 degrees f or below. Opals are generally ok.

Also, for the best job, a jeweler will want possibly to polish the metal first. And, all will need to be perfectly cleaned to make a good surface for the gold plate to adhere.

I believe the jade should be removed.  If cemented in place, a soak in a solvent like acetone will loosen epoxy cements and super glue sorts of stuff.  The stone will not be harmed in the least by acetone.

The item can be plated and the stone simply again cemented into its place in the pendant.

You might want to check with some jewelers to see if they do gold plating and find out a price.  Some do not do this work.

Best wishes with restoration of your pendant.

God Bless and Peace.  Thomas.  May 17, 2008   8:33pm