Problem with repair

Hello, I received a gold frame pendant that another jeweler had
repaired and ruined, to try to fix. The piece has an open frame with a
clear epoxy ( kind of like you find the bugs embedded in at novelty
shops) holding 9 tiny diamonds arranged into a “J” shape. So far I’ve
figured out how to redo the piece but am having problems with the "J"
being level. I taped the sides and back of the frame closed and put a
little of the epoxy into it. This is the point where I need to make
the epoxy level. You have to wait for the epoxy to gel then dip and
place the stones onto the gelled epoxy, then fill the remaining area
with epoxy. It turns out like a jello mold does, taller at the sides
and lower in the center. The only thing I haven’t tried yet is
leveling it like you do a jello mold, with wax paper placed on top of
the liquid to force it level till it gels…does anyone have a
better idea for getting the epoxy to level out or has anyone done this
and can tell me what will level it out???..Char

Char, I don’t know if this will be similar to what you are doing or
not but here goes. Your description of the process makes me think of
inlay work I used to do in the 70’s. I would fill the spot with tiny
chips of stone, color the epoxy with black powdered tempera paint and
apply it on top of the chips until it was heaped. After it dried I
would grind it level with sandpaper in decreasing grits and then
polish it with zam on a bristle brush. Your work is far more advanced
than this, I’m sure, but just maybe I’ll steer you in the right direction. Patty in MO, USA.

Patty, Thanks for the reply, sorry about the delay in reply, we had a
double computer crash (2 different computers) here and guess who is
the tech…The frame work on the pendant will not allow sanding of
the first layer. However your suggestion gives me a great idea for
some miniature stain glass type broaches…Char

We worked out a way of dong this at John Cass in London about twelve
years or so ago.

Here’s our working answer.

1 Set a clean, level as you can get it, layer of epoxy in a ring of
copper or silver placed on a flat level surface - such as a swage
block covered in clingfilm. This layer should be equal to about half
the thickness of the piece when it is finished. Use a hypodermic
syringe to remove the air bubbles. 2 When it’s really set hard remove
it from the ring and backing (you may have to saw it out) and lathe,
file or otherwise get the faces parallel. 3 Using a depth gauge drill
small holes in the right places so that the diamonds can sit in their
spots. Put it back into the ring. If need be close the ring up tight
with rubber bands or binding wire. 4 Use tiny amounts of epoxy to set
the stones. To get all the table facets facing upwards use small piece
of float glass on top. This will make the facets level with each other
and in one plane. 5 When the small spots of epoxy are set pour another
layer over the top of the stones. Use syringe to remove the bubbles
again. 6 When its all set properly remove the tacky layers from the
top and bottom. True up the piece using files - better still lathe it
flat on the bottom. Polish the piece up again using either a
specialist polish - tripoli and rouge will work just as well but be
careful not to burn the plastic.From: owner-orchid@ganoksin.com [mailto:owner-orchid@ganoksin.com]On
Behalf Of Rob & Charolette Purviance Jr.
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2000 7:33 PM
Subject: [Orchid] Problem with repair

Hello, I received a gold frame pendant that another jeweler had
repaired and ruined, to try to fix. The piece has an open frame with a
clear epoxy ( kind of like you find the bugs embedded in at novelty
shops) holding 9 tiny diamonds arranged into a “J” shape. So far I’ve
figured out how to redo the piece but am having problems with the “J”
being level. I taped the sides and back of the frame closed and put a
little of the epoxy into it. This is the point where I need to make
the epoxy level. You have to wait for the epoxy to gel then dip and
place the stones onto the gelled epoxy, then fill the remaining area
with epoxy. It turns out like a jello mold does, taller at the sides
and lower in the center. The only thing I haven’t tried yet is
leveling it like you do a jello mold, with wax paper placed on top of
the liquid to force it level till it gels…does anyone have a
better idea for getting the epoxy to level out or has anyone done this
and can tell me what will level it out???..Char

End of forwarded message

Tony, Thanks so much, my customer is due in day after tomorrow and
hopefully I can have the piece ready. I was about to give up leveling
it at all…Char

Ms. Charolette’s Gold & Gem Specialties LLC
Rob & Charolette Purviance Jr.
4024 Davis Rd.
Guthrie, OK. 73044