QuestionHello, I have an amber cabochon silver ring that I had repaired. The shank cracked and had to be soldered back. They told me that in order to work on the ring they had to heat it up to remove the glue that was holding the amber stone to the silver setting. When I went to pick up the ring, the stone which was a very bright vibrant yellow/orange to begin with was now very dark orangish black. Is this something that could have been prevented or is this normal? They didn't tell me that my stone would be ruined! Thank you for your help. P.S. I didn't pick up the ring, I left it there until I could talk to the manager.
AnswerAmy, they should have warned you of any possible damage or changes to the stone before doing the work. Generally the cement used is an epoxy resin and solvents for this can damage amber. Heat is often the way to loosen epoxy cements but not to the extent of damaging the stone. Damage or color change is always a possibility when this is done and you should have been forewarned.
Heat from repairing the shank would certainly destroy the amber and it would be burned. Heat to loosen cements is done only when there is a risk factor in using solvents. With pearls on earposts, for example, the work can be done so quickly and safely that heat is the choice method rather than a long soak in a solvent. With amber, the soak in solvent is not recommended and heat is the method but a very touch one at that.
The metal should be gently heated far from the stone with not a trace of a flame near the stone. All the time, pressure of a gentle sort is put on the stone to lift it from the setting. The cement should loosen and the stone push out before any damage. With silver, the entire process is tricky and fast. You see, silver conducts heat better than other metals and the top gets almost as hot as the heated part, very quickly.
I would talk to the manager. The process used to remove the stone is not so much the problem as the fact you were not warned of possible damage or discoloration. I believe that is your case for some recourse.
I cannot say if the damage could have been prevented without the ring in hand. It is quite possible this is a very difficult stone removal from a cemented setting. It is possible the job could have been easy and someone overdid the heat. I do not know.
Oh my, I do not like to hear events like this but that is part of it all. I do wish you the best in coming to some understanding with the store in the matter.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. March 28, 2008 10:21pm
