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How to Repair Damaged Silver Cabochons

A cabochon is a type of gemstone typically shaped into an oval or round shape with a flat bottom and a convex surface, as opposed to a faceted gemstone, which has been cut into many surfaces or facets. Jewelers often set cabochon stones in silver settings with the majority set in sterling silver, which is typically an alloy of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Although the added copper strengthens the silver, silver cabochon jewelry often develops weak spots that need to be soldered back together.

Things You'll Need

Water
Phosphate-free detergent
Soft cloth
Flux
Flux brush
Silver solder
Wire snips
Solder pick
Jewelry clamp
Safety glasses
Small torch
Copper tongs
Jeweler's pickle solution
Cotton ball
Hand sanitizer (unscented and aloe-free)

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the piece by submerging it in a mixture of water and mild phosphate-free detergent, keeping it submerged in water while wrapped in a soft cloth. If the piece also has stones such as opals, it is best to just wipe it clean with a soft cloth.
- 2
  Cut a piece of silver solder using wire snips. Place the jewelry piece into a jewelry clamp and position the solder piece in place using a solder pick. Apply flux using a flux brush on the areas that you intend to solder.
- 3
  While wearing safety glasses, set the torch to a high flame. Pick up the piece with a solder pick and move the torch in a circular motion over the area to be soldered. If the two soldered ends move apart, use the solder pick to push them back into place and reheat the area using the torch.
- 4
  Insert the piece into the pickle solution using copper tongs; the pickle solution will dissolve excess flux. Remove the piece using the copper tongs when the silver appears shiny and clear. Rinse the piece under cold water.

Gemology