QuestionHi :) I recently found a 14k hoop earring smooshed on the road while walking & I would like to melt it down & make into a simple gold band/ring. I think its @ 4 grams & I would like for it to be made without adding more gold if possible ~ just a nice momento of having found gold in the road :). I went to one jewelry shop & they quoted me $150 for the 'master craftsman' to transform it even though I said I wanted a very simple kind of ring ~ and then went to another small shop & they said it could not be done & suggested I bring it to a pawn shop to sell as scrap. I have done a little jewelry making & would like to do it my self if possible or find someone to do it at a more reasonable price. I noticed your question about melting down gold on a charcoal block & was thinking I could do the same by making a channel a bit shorter than my ring size & melting it by torch into a log & then bending it @ into a ring & soldering. I dont mind if its rough & tumble looking & would actually prefer that~ its a sentimental thing. Any suggestions appreciated ~Thank you.
AnswerHello Tanya,
Yes, it would be possible to transform the hoop into a ring and the method that you describe should achieve such an outcome. After getting the ingot, you may need to forge it out a bit, so you will need to hammer the piece around all faces which will assist in the stretch. From here you can form and solder it.
$150 for a jeweller to do the job is probably understandable - in fact I'd probably suggest the same - as the time required can be about 3 hours.....and I'm sure they're covering themselves for the possibility that gold may be a nightmare after it is melted ie cracking and splitting.
I wonder what your mechanic charges an hour, you'll probably find that its a similar price, so when you think about someone, who has the tools who mould do the melt, roll and re-form the piece.....
4 grams is fairly light as well, so don't be expecting a big ring.
Anyhow, good luck and I like the idea and sentiment.
Cheers, P
