QuestionHi, I have a 9ct white gold necklace with 7 diamonds in, i was thinking of melting it down to make a ring can u do this?
AnswerHello Louise,
Yes absolutely. All you need is a torch with a basic oxygen / fuel set up ( MAPP and O2 or Oxy /Propane) if accessible -if not and its a low karat gold ( yours seems to fit that description),a butane torch will do but you'll need to add a bit of extra borax to the crucible to clean it and help remove any impurities erven though the crucible will have been prepared by glazing it with boraz all over the inside. A burno style crucible is the best small crucible as it has a ridge for tongs to grasp and a pour hole in the rear that is designed for centrifugal casting but will work smashingly for a hand pour. You will also need a mould to pour the ingot, and a rolling mill to roll it out after pouring and pickling it .Planishing it ( hammering) it into useable sheet for a band would take too long. The other option is to pour into a cuttlefish mould that way you can design directly into the bone and melt and pour directly into the prepared cuttlefish bone pieces that are then used as your mould too. Delft clay would be the other option but without some experience with the cope and drag method I wouldn't start there.Cuttlefish is simple, easily modifies once poured quenched and pickled and stones can even be cast in place, if desired , using that method.
You can remove the diamonds from the necklace and use them in the ring save them for another project or sell them if you like.If they are particularly high quality ( if 9 kt. I would not speculate that they are above SI 1-2). that would cover the cost of additional casting grain if you want to raise the karat or change the colour of the gold . When you melt a necklace- if lightweight or fine, you will be surprised at how far the quantity does not go, and always when pouring an ingot of gold to roll out you should aim for at least 50% new gold grain to your scrap- the only time that does not apply is in the case of going from yellow golds of any karat to white gold. You will also need borax, a graphite rod ( though not absolutely required it helps mix the metal and remove impurities you can visibly see on the rolling ball of molten metals), tongs, welders gradeeye protection, an annealing pan with pumice, your melting area protected surface, and if you decide on the cuttlefish method all that equipment too ( the bone pieces, carving tools , a bench knife and masking tape), torch or Bunsen burner and an ignitor.
All in all a simple operation with a vast continuum of possibilities . Happy designing
Best Regards,Ari
If you need more instruction or specifics, please let me know what equipment you have at your disposal and your skill level ( honestly so I can keep it brief and avoid seeming condescending in tone)..I will look for a future email if it is necessary.Also if you are a novice, let me know where you live ( you may use the "private" feature on this site) and I can recommend some sources of the best products you can get at the lowest cost..Ari
