QuestionQUESTION: I am attaching gemstone beads using wire and torch and would like to know how you recommend removing oxidization and flux after the stone is attached. I have put stones into the pickling solution in the past and they have been OK but I also know one is not supposed to expose gems to that sort of thing. I would appreciate any advice you have.
On the same note - how safe is it to put attached gemstones into supersonic after polishing?
ANSWER: Hello Karina,
First make the component then pickle then attach the gemstones by looping the wire, etc. That way the metal is cleaned before the gem component is finished- a final polish is all that may be necessary and you can do that before attaching the gemstone as well.
Many gemstones cannot be put into an ultrasonic cleaner, but can tolerate steam. After polishing you should not need to clean if the polishing is done correctly- but use a water soluble compound if you must clean after polishing so that hot tap water and its force will do the job. Ultrasonics - particularly cheapies ,like connoisseur's brand available at most x-marts are junk: they use a cleaning solution that will oxidize your silver on contact requiring you to repeat all the finishing again. Steam is better unless you are using emeralds, kyanite, and other soft stones that steam may adversely affect too.
More often than not if the gem is a decent quality the pickle solution will not affect it- but always neutralize it with soda crystals and water then rinse well after removing any piece from the pickle and don't let it get above 140 degrees and you should be fine with all but precious stones that are soft or pearls, turquoise and assembled gem-like stones like opal triplets, doublets, etc.You should make sure that the stones do not contain iron though: a stone like specular hematite or a rough iron containing crystal will contaminate the pickle the same way introducing something ferrous will. So know your materials and their hardness and then think through the construction before beginning to assemble the components to minimize time and effort and re-doing processes that could have been finished before the assembly begins.
Hope this is what you needed to know
Best regards,Ari
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Ari - this was helpful. I am attaching beads by making a bail that needs to be soldered (I am not attaching by wire looping)I think for the most part I will be OK to pickle the stones (sapphire/ruby/garnet/ citrine/prehnite/ etc.) with the exception of the emerald and tourmaline beads. I am using vigor heat sheild and Dandix or Batterns flux - I need to see which works best with no pickling - just cleaning with soap and water. If you have any suggestions for products or safe pickling methods for sensitive stones like emerald I would love the input.
Thanks - Karina
AnswerHello Karina,
The one thing I can say is set the emeralds last- they can't take heat, ultrasonics or pickle.Battern's is great for gold, and fine silver- I don;t like dandix myself as it's too easy to move the solder as it takes longer to heat to flow being gooey. Good old borax or Cupronil are my favorites though I use Battern's too as I need the self-pickling action occasionally.
Battern's has flourides though, so don't position your head right over your soldering board,or the work as the fumes are nasty! Consider a small fan to direct them away from you. I use a pet cage fan ( They are widely available and small, and most are variable speed things, designed to stand alone, or hang on a car window, pet cage wires, or otherwise mounted- I bought 100 of them to sell, and have sold maybe 4! - most jewelers don't care about the fumes and wear no respirators, etc.I did so for years until discovering these little fans ( larger than a " muffin fan" and quite nice for jewelry making but highly misunderstood!!!) near my soldering station to redirect the fumes- works great and runs on batteries though solar models are available too as the are intended to suck heat out of hot cars, or cool the pet cage in an already shaded location! They are silent too. I also use them for redirecting particles away from my work area when using sanding tools, or shaping burs...I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know!
Best , Ari
