Mending Your Gold Band: The Glue Method

A broken gold wedding band can be fixed, but the type of repair depends on the extent and location of the damage. If the band is cracked, it can be filed down and soldered, or the entire shank can be replaced. If the band is bent, it may be possible to reshape it with heat, but if it is too thin, a new thicker piece may need to be cut in. To prevent further damage, it is important to identify the cause of the breakage, which could be related to the ring's size, structural design, or exposure to certain chemicals.

Identify the type of gold and the extent of the damage

Before gluing your gold wedding band, it is important to identify the type of gold and the extent of the damage. This will help you determine the best course of action for repair and ensure that the glue you select is suitable for the specific type of gold.

Gold is often mixed with other metals to improve its durability, as pure 24-karat gold is soft and easily scratched or bent. Common alloys used in gold jewellery include copper, silver, and platinum. The most common types of gold used in jewellery are yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. If your wedding band is white gold, it may have a rhodium plating, which gives it a bright, reflective surface. Over time, this plating can wear off, and you may notice a yellowish tinge or dullness on the surface.

To identify the type of gold in your wedding band, look for any markings or stamps inside the ring that indicate its purity. For example, "24K" or "24kt" indicates 24-karat gold, while "10K" or "10kt" indicates 10-karat gold. If there are no markings, the ring may be plated or clad, or it may be made of a less common alloy.

When assessing the damage to your wedding band, carefully examine the break or crack. Is it a clean break, or are there any missing or bent pieces? Check for any missing gemstones or prongs that may have come loose. If the band is bent, try to determine if it can be gently straightened or if it requires more extensive repair.

Additionally, consider the overall condition of the ring. Has the gold discoloured or tarnished? Are there any scratches or signs of wear and tear? Identifying these issues will help you decide if you need to refinish or replate the ring in addition to gluing it.

By carefully identifying the type of gold and assessing the extent of the damage, you can make an informed decision about the best approach to repair your broken gold wedding band.

Understand the cause of the break

Gold rings can break for a variety of reasons, and it's important to understand the cause of the break to prevent it from happening again. Here are some possible reasons why your gold wedding band may have broken:

Normal Wear

Over time, the band of a gold ring can become thinner and more susceptible to breakage. This is especially true for soft metals like yellow gold, which are more likely to crack or break compared to more durable metals like platinum. Continually wearing a wedding ring over a long period of time can lead to the band cracking or breaking.

Resizing

Resizing a ring can also lead to breakage. If a ring is resized more than two sizes larger, the band can become too thin and lose its structural integrity, making it more prone to breaking. Similarly, if a ring is too large for your finger, it can sustain more stress because the skin and muscle of your finger are not able to support it adequately, leading to potential breakage.

Heavy Lifting

Lifting or carrying something very heavy can put a lot of strain on the ring's band, causing it to crack or break. This can include activities such as lifting weights at the gym or picking up a heavy suitcase.

Thinness of the Ring Shank

The thinness of the ring shank, or the bottom part of the ring that goes around and under your finger, can also contribute to cracking. A thin ring shank can lead to increased stress and pressure on the ring, making it more susceptible to breakage.

Porosity

Porosity refers to tiny holes created in the structure of the gold ring during the casting process when air bubbles escape to the surface. Substantial amounts of porosity can cause a gold ring to become brittle and break over time, especially if exposed to chlorine, which is known to be damaging to gold.

Exposure to Liquid Mercury

Although rare, exposure to liquid mercury, such as from a broken thermometer, can cause gold to become brittle and break. In one instance, a client's yellow gold ring coated in silver and broke into several pieces after exposure to liquid mercury.

Assess if the ring is too large for your finger

If your ring is too large, it could slip off and get lost. Here are some ways to tell if your ring is too big:

• It spins around the base of your finger with ease and won't stay upright.
• You're worried it will fly off when you move your hand quickly.
• It slides off without resistance when washing your hands or in the shower.
• It can be pulled off without much effort by someone else.
• A vigorous shake of the hand causes the ring to slip down your finger.

If your ring is too big, a jeweller can resize it for you. They will cut out a piece of the band and fuse the two ends back together. If you are unsure whether your ring is too large, it is best to consult a professional jeweller.

There are also temporary solutions to fix a ring that is too big, such as using a rubber band or a ring guard.

Consider if the ring has been weakened at a connection point

If your ring has cracked or broken at a connection point, it's important to understand the underlying cause to prevent it from happening again. Repeated repairs can compromise the structural stability of your ring, so it's worth investigating why this has happened.

A connection point is where two parts of a ring have been joined together, and these points are often weaker than the rest of the ring. The solder used to connect the two parts is usually not as strong as the original cast gold. So, if the ring is placed under stress, it may give way at one of these connection points.

If your ring has been resized, this can also increase the likelihood of it breaking at a connection point. Each resizing job involves adding an inorganic solder or joint to the ring band, which can negatively affect the structural stability of the ring.

To repair a ring that has cracked at a connection point, you may need to replace the entire shank. This is because the lower portion of the shank has a lower density and volume of metal, so cracks are more likely to reappear, even if they've been filled.

If you're unsure about the cause of the crack or how to fix it, it's best to consult a professional jeweller. They will be able to advise on the best course of action and carry out any necessary repairs.

Check if the ring has been exposed to harmful chemicals

Gold is a highly stable chemical element, so it is difficult to damage a gold ring. However, gold is rarely found in its pure form, and gold wedding bands are usually made of gold alloys, which can be damaged by certain chemicals.

Chlorine, bromine, and other common household chemicals, such as bleaches, deep cleaners, detergents, and solvents, can cause a condition called stress corrosion in karat gold. This chemical reaction affects the microscopic grain boundaries in the alloys, weakening the bonds between them and allowing easy breakage of the metal. White gold is more susceptible to damage by these chemicals than yellow gold due to the different alloys used.

In addition, certain chemicals can attack the metals mixed with gold in gold alloys. For example, cyanide and strong acids, such as sulfuric acid, can attack gold alloys, while mercury can form an amalgam with gold, which could burn your finger.

To check if your ring has been exposed to harmful chemicals, examine it for any signs of damage or discoloration. If you suspect your ring has been exposed to harmful chemicals, it is recommended to consult a jeweller or a specialist for further advice.

Frequently asked questions