Resizing a silver ring larger, with a green oynx stone

Hi Everyone,
I’ve just just become a member and this is my first question. Happy to be here! Hope I’m doing it right.

If resizing a silver ring larger with a green oynx stone. Will this stone take the heat in the wet sand method?

Many thanks

1 Like

Is it possible to share an image of your ring? There’s a lot of variables in answering your question. Like how thick is the ring shank? How close will you be soldering to the stone? Also, this probably isn’t crucial info, but it might be helpful, how much are you sizing it up?

Soldering silver with a heat sensitive stone and submerged in some kind of coolant like wet sand, water or other solutions takes a fair amount of heat. The thicker the ring shank, the harder it can be.

If possible pulling the stone, sizing it, then resetting it, is sometimes easier in the long run.

So to answer your question, the answer is maybe?

I’ve done what you’re asking many times. It’s generally fairly easy with a hot torch and a thinner ring shank. With a thicker shank it can be a struggle.

I’m sure there’s lots of opinions and solutions, but when I do what you’re asking, I prefer to submerge the stone in water so I know that the stone is always wet. There’s always a danger that in wet sand that you’ll evaporate all of the water.

Jeff

4 Likes

I was just about to say the same thing. A picture would help a lot. My experience is that it is safer to pull the gem if you can and reset it. The cost of replacing the gem is more often than not, way more expensive than trying to save the cost of resetting.

1 Like

Thank you for thus suggestion. I will try to remove the stone first and then to the resizing. Best Jeanette

2 Likes

I’ve had a lot of luck resizing opal rings set in silver. I didn’t do it for a couple years out of fear but I do it all the time now.

I use a metal tuna can full of water, tweezers to hold the ring with the stone completely submerged.

I use two torches because my smith torch often isn’t hot enough on thicker bands and easy solder. Sometimes I fight the water spray from the hot silver heating the water up. Anyways, you might try it on a ring you’re not attached to first. Good luck and welcome!!

2 Likes