Repairing Guides

how to repair gold jewelry

by Lance Beatty DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Top 3 Easy to Follow Ways to Fix Tarnished Gold

  • Wash it with Soap. Make use of gentle soap and use the soft brush for scrubbing the side of the gold piece. You should...
  • Mix Water, Soap & Ammonia. Pour warm water in one small cup and add one teaspoon of the mild soap. Now stir the...
  • Add Dish Soap to Warm Water and Soap the Gold. Add some warm tap water in the bowl and...

Here's how to solder gold jewellery – step by step
  1. Clean the gold. This is the first step when learning how to make gold solder and how to solder gold jewellery. ...
  2. Secure the piece in tweezers or clamp. ...
  3. Add flux for gold soldering. ...
  4. Heat the flux. ...
  5. Apply gold solder and heat. ...
  6. Cool and treat the piece. ...
  7. Finalise the piece.

Full Answer

How to freshen up your tarnished faux gold jewelry?

What You’ll Need

  • Metallic gold spray paint
  • Clear coat gloss spray saint
  • Painters tape and aluminium foil
  • Newspaper, large piece of cardboard, or poster board
  • Well-ventilated area to work in

How to properly clean your gold jewelry?

  • Mix a drop or two of dish soap with warm (not hot) water.
  • Soak your jewelry for five to 10 minutes.
  • Dip a soft bristle toothbrush into the solution.
  • Very lightly scrub the jewelry, focusing on small areas that may be dirty.
  • Rinse.
  • Use a soft cloth to gently pat the jewelry dry.
  • Finish off with a polishing cloth for extra sparkle.

How to restore gold plated jewelry at home?

  • Make sure your hands are free of lotions, make-up, and soil before handling gold-plated pieces.
  • Do not apply make-up, perfume, or hairspray while wearing gold-plated jewelry.
  • Remove any gold-plated rings and bracelets while preparing acidic foods.
  • Do not swim in chlorinated or salt-water pools while wearing gold-plated jewelry.

More items...

How to clean and restore your gold plated jewelry?

Restoring Gold-Plated Jewelry

  • ELECTROPLATING. This is the best method to go for gold plating on the ornament that is either tarnished or lost its glow in due course of time.
  • BUFF WITH SUITABLE POLISH. ...
  • WIPING WITH SOFT JEWELRY CLOTH. ...
  • GOLD PLATING KITS. ...
  • Using Gold-Plating Kit at Home. ...
  • SALT AND SODA COMBO. ...

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How do you fix broken gold jewelry?

1:026:13How to FIX a BROKEN CHAIN NECKLACE ( DIY Jewellery Repair )YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i twist it. Open. Then we slide both sides of the broken chain. Onto this open jump. Ring andMoreSo i twist it. Open. Then we slide both sides of the broken chain. Onto this open jump. Ring and then we twist. Back feel the jump rings fully closed.

Can gold jewelry be fixed?

When a gold-fill chain is broken, it can be repaired with soldering. The jeweler simply reconnects the pieces and seals it shut with the help of a laser machine. There may be a dark spot at the area of work, which can be polished out or left alone.

Can you solder gold back together?

It is recommended for joining two pieces together. Use "plumb solder," "medium" or "hard" solder, or solder with 14 karat and above. Solder with a lower gold content will melt more easily, and is recommended for small repairs.

What can you do with damaged gold jewelry?

You can take the piece to a jeweler to repair it, or you can simply sell it for cash. You might pay a jeweler to repair a piece if it's worth a lot in sentimental value, such as a family heirloom, or if you're a collector and you want to hang onto a piece to see if its value increases at a later date.

Can you repair gold plating?

Simply put in a request with a jeweler! If you want to restore the original color of your item, just let them know and they'll be able to replate the piece for you. If you want the plating to last longer, you can request for them to plate according to a certain number of microns.

Can a thin gold chain be repaired?

Yes, it can be repaired. However, a golden rope chain belongs to the types of chains that aren't as straightforward in repairing. It's hard to maintain its original integrity because of the way it is constructed once it is broken. Gold rope chains are made with delicate, tiny interlocking rings of gold.

How can I fix my gold at home?

2:034:13Jewelry Making : How to Solder Gold Jewelry - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd now watch it it's just going to all of a sudden it's just going to disappear. I'm going to makeMoreAnd now watch it it's just going to all of a sudden it's just going to disappear. I'm going to make sure i get both sides of my ring equally hot. And there the solder went through the joint.

How do you bond gold together?

Here's how to solder gold jewellery – step by stepClean the gold. This is the first step when learning how to make gold solder and how to solder gold jewellery. ... Secure the piece in tweezers or clamp. ... Add flux for gold soldering. ... Heat the flux. ... Apply gold solder and heat. ... Cool and treat the piece. ... Finalise the piece.

How do you fuse gold?

0:105:05Tips for a Perfectly Fused Gold Bezel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPull the other side as well. And I usually go past the seam a couple times just to create a littleMorePull the other side as well. And I usually go past the seam a couple times just to create a little bit of tension. I. Line them up and give it a nice little squeeze. And press down.

Why does gold become black?

Gold turns black when some base metals alloyed with the gold react with or even to oxygen it can eventually discolor or even tarnish your gold jewelry. This Oxidation is working as the chemical reaction in which the electrons are lost.

Is gold easy to damage?

Because pure gold is so soft, it bends and warps easily, making it a poor metal for jewelry that needs to retain its shape. Pure gold also scratches easily, meaning it doesn't take long for pure gold jewelry to become scuffed and unattractive.

What is the value of old gold jewelry?

Assume that 24 K market gold price on that day is 2498, then your gold price will be 2498*79% = Rs. 1,973 per gram. Thus your effective gold price becomes, 18.743 * 1973 = Rs. 36,979.

What to do if you can't find a piece of plating?

If you do not have the missing piece of plating and cannot find a piece of plating suitable for the repair, remedy the loss with another material. Fill holes or gaps wit jewelry resin or clay which you can paint once it hardens. Replace a missing link with a link made of another material which you can also paint to match the rest of the article. ...

What is metallic gold paint?

Paint a new component or a bare spot with metallic gold paint. There are two kinds of metallic paint. The first, used in wood, paper and cloth crafts, has a metallic sheen in the paint. The second kind is formulated to look like metal once it dries. Confirm that you have the second kind.

What are the advantages of costume jewelry?

One advantage to costume jewelry is that if it breaks or tarnishes, it is entirely possible that you can fix it yourself with supplies from your local craft store.

How to break the glue off the bottom of a pearl?

Grab an Exacto Knife or some Similar Sharp Item, and Gently Break the Old Glue off the Bottom of the Pearl. DON’T SCRATCH THE PEARL or SCRAPE ACROSS THE SURFACE! They are Delicate and will Mar Easily! Just Gently Pry the Old Glue Free!

How to keep rings shiny and shiny?

Polish the Surfaces Good , and then use the Outer Cloth to Fine Tune it and Remove the Polish Marks. Doing this Once a Month will keep your Rings Bright and Shiny. Just realize that Rouge is a Polishing Compound that Jewelers use and it will Leave Black Residue on your Rings, Fingers and Clothing.

What is Rouge polishing cloth?

If you Buy yourself a Good Polishing Cloth, make sure you get one with Rouge! A Rouge Polishing Cloth will Help you Remove Surface Scratches and Dullness from Pretty much any Kind of Metal. You will be able to add a High Polished Glow to your Gold with just a Slight Pressure as you Polish.

How to flatten a mandrel?

Hammer just the Gold or Silver! Hammer around the Area making it Flatten Down. Do a Couple of Strikes, and then Remove the Ring from the Stick, and put it back on Facing the other Way. That’s because the Mandrel is Tapered and if you Don’t Alternate Directions your Ring will come out Tapered as well.

How to secure pearls on a peg?

Do the same with the Peg or Post. Put a little on and around the Peg and bottom. Don’t put too much, because you don’t want the Glue to Push out the Seams and Cover your Beautiful Jewelry! Just put enough so it will Secure the Pearl in Place. Now Push the Pearl back on the Peg as far as you can and….

How often should I clean my jewelry?

You should Clean your Jewelry at least Once a Week. Cleaning your Items often will keep the Lotions, Soaps, Perfumes, Hair Spray, and Shampoo from Building up and Blocking Light. There are plenty of Great Jewelry Cleaners on the market. In fact, I have a Post Dedicated to Different Cleaners, Steamers and Solutions. :)

How often should I clean my diamonds?

You should Clean your Jewelry at least Once a Week.

What is Gold Vermeil?

In the jewelry industry, gold plating is used to apply a thin layer of gold over a different base metal in order to simulate a gold look. This plating can be very thin or very thick, depending on the quality of the jewelry, and is measured by microns. Plating above 1 micron is considered good quality; the more microns, the thicker the plating.

Restoring and Repairing Gold Vermeil Jewelry

A gold vermeil Jesus pendant before and after restoration. Note the tarnishing on the left.

Wash it with Soap

Make use of gentle soap and use the soft brush for scrubbing the side of the gold piece. You should be careful with the cleaning to eliminate the leftover ammonia, which might somehow harm you or the gold.

Mix Water, Soap & Ammonia

Pour warm water in one small cup and add one teaspoon of the mild soap. Now stir the combination until and unless the soap dilutes. You have to next add half a teaspoon of ammonia into the mix and then stir it well.

Add Dish Soap to Warm Water and Soap the Gold

Add some warm tap water in the bowl and add some drops of mild dish soap. Just mix the soap and add water solution as well. Now place the gold into the water and soap solution and then soak it for at least 15 minutes.

Warning

Avoid using baking soda or toothpaste for the cleanliness of the gold piece. You should never any gold jewelry in a swimming pool or in the hot tub because exposure to chlorine can somehow turn your gold into a black color. Plus, the soap can even leave a dull buildup on the gold.

Jasmin Piterson

Hi i am Dr. Jasmin Piterson an Sole owner and editor of The Piercing Home. I works with expert piercer and writes original content based on their recommendations. Previously, I have done my doctorate from the University of California. I covered all kind of stuff related to piercing.

How to reattach a necklace?

Place the necklace pieces flat on a work surface. Put the clasp or charm next to the necklace. Set the two sections of necklace next to each other if you are reattaching a linked necklace.

How to heat solder on a necklace?

Light your torch. Use the tip of the torch to heat the solder. Hold it above the solder and sweep it over the area with wide strokes. Do not touch the flame down on the necklace, as it will start to melt the gold. Remove the heat and arrange the necklace with the tweezers, as needed. Advertisement.

What is gold chain?

Things You'll Need. A gold chain can break from wear and tear or from getting caught on clothing. Gold has been sought after throughout the ages for many reasons. One of the oldest uses of gold, jewelry making, dates back to at least 4,000 B.C. Gold necklaces are still a fashion statement for both men and women – and accidents do happen resulting ...

Where can I find gold jump rings?

Gold jump rings can be found in the jewelry-making section of craft stores. Do not to use the same karat solder as your necklace. Always go higher in karat for the solder so your necklace will not melt with or before your solder.

When was gold first used?

One of the oldest uses of gold, jewelry making, dates back to at least 4,000 B.C. Gold necklaces are still a fashion statement for both men and women – and accidents do happen resulting in broken pieces. Avoid a costly trip to the jewelry store and fix your broken gold necklace yourself. You may just need to replace a broken jump ring, ...

What is flux solder?

Flux is just a chemical that aids in the soldering process. Next, apply some gold solder and then heat the surrounding gold objects to join them together. Finally, treat the joined piece with the water and pickle bath. To learn how to prepare a water bath and a pickle bath, scroll down!

What is a wikihow article?

Download Article. X. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback.

How to clean gold solder?

Clean gold thoroughly. The gold surfaces to be joined need to be clean of dirt and grease for the solder to chemically bond them together. Soak them in the pickle solution briefly to remove surface contamination, then rinse in water to remove the acid. Scrub the surfaces with detergent or soap for additional cleaning.

How to get rid of pickle stains on clothes?

If you spill pickle solution on yourself, rinse affected area in cool running water for several minutes. Most pickle solutions are not strong enough to burn holes in clothing immediately, but they may do so over time if not removed.

How many people edit wikihow?

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 236,877 times.

How to clean gold from oxidation?

Set a container of water out for cooling and rinsing the gold. Purchase a "pickle" solution for cleaning oxidization off metal, and prepare it according to the instructions on the packaging. Most pickle manufacturers sell it as a powder, which can be prepared in small amounts by dissolving with water and heating.

Can you cut solder into chips?

Cutting larger pieces of solder into chips is recommended, to make it easier to control the precise amount of solder being applied . Solder with a higher gold content is stronger, but takes more heat to melt. It is recommended for joining two pieces together.

Tools you will need

A "Mapp Gas" acetylene torch can be found at Home Depot for about $30.00 You could also try a propane torch, or if you're really serious about this, you could get a propane oxygen torch, but those will get quite pricey.

Supplies

Gold solder, there are many different types and varieties but I am going to use a sheet of 10k yellow gold medium solder. Depending on the ring you're going to repair, you may have to order the appropriate color and karat.

Preparing

One of the important things to achieve a quality "joint" between the two broken ends, is by spending more time "preparing" before you solder it.

Fine Tuning

Now secure your ring in the vise grips so that the broken ends are "closed" together, and observe the joint through a magnifying glass. You may want to file the inside of your vise grips a little bit to make them smoother, so they won't scratch the outside of the ring.

Gold Solder

After your finished with the joint, cut a tiny piece of solder with your scissors, the smaller the better.

Close the joint

Secure your ring in the vise grips, tight enough so the joint is tightly closed. But not so tight that you bend the ring.

Let the fun begin

It's very important not to overheat and melt your ring, so keep your flame far away at first and don't point it at the joint, or the solder directly.

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