Daily Wire Tip Nov. 29: What’s the Melting Point of Gold?

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 29, 2010

Question:

Dale, I have an old heart-shaped ring that belonged to my mother. I need to increase the size dramatically. At what temperature can you melt 14kt gold? I plan on making a mold and pouring the gold into the shape I need. Is this an unachievable task? I would appreciate any feedback you might have.

-Sue in Mead, Colorado

Answer:

Hi Sue, personally I am not a goldsmith, but I did find some information for you by visiting this article on Gold, where under Physical Properties, it says solid gold has a melting point of 1947.52° Fahrenheit. 14kt gold is made by adding a variety of alloys to solid gold, so the melting point is a bit lower at 1550° F.

You can find information from the experts who are goldsmiths by doing an Internet search using the phrase “resize 14k gold ring.” (Me, I would take it to a jeweler!)

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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18 Comments

1. 

   Helen

   November 29, 2010 at 8:22 am

   I agree with Dale. if the ring has sentimental value in it’s present form, let an expert handle the resizing or leave it as is and give to a beloved child.
2. 

   Victoria

   November 29, 2010 at 9:03 am

   I have done a lot of casting; melting and pouring gold can sometimes a hit or miss operation.You will need quite a few items to accomplish the task and make it wearable and look good. The easiest thing to do would be to buy the PMC or Art Clay in gold.It is impossible to mess it up and you can buy or make your own molds without worrying about having to deal with firescale which is a real pain to remove but common occurence if you are not use to working with melted metals. PMC can even be fired with a torch. You can also solder it to your ring with gold solder.
   Good luck.
   • 

     dalecgr

     November 29, 2010 at 11:40 am

     Thanks Victoria, for adding to our education!
3. 

   Lorraine Brooks

   November 29, 2010 at 10:14 am

   I would also take it to a jeweler. That way you won’t be losing the original that I’m sure has sentimental value to it.
4. 

   Jane Richard

   November 29, 2010 at 11:15 am

   Once you know what size ring you need, you can cut the shank of the ring and add some sizing stock to increase the size. However, if you are not very familiar with soldering and sizing, I would not recommend that you do this yourself on a piece that has sentimental value. It does take some skill to do this successfully. You can probably take it to a good jewelry repair shop to have this done. Good luck!
5. 

   Alex

   November 29, 2010 at 11:23 am

   I would certainly take it to a jeweler. They do that for a living, and it would be cheaper and easier than melting it down and casting it. If you don’t have experience at this, you will likely have a mess of slag on your hands!
6. 

   Pete

   November 29, 2010 at 12:48 pm

   Based on some training I’ve had in the past, I’d strongly recommend having the ring worked on by a professional. Heating the whole ring to a temperature at which fusion between the “new” gold and the “old” could take place might easily result in a total melt-down. Much better to trust it to someone who really knows what they’re doing.
7. 

   Kathy Bloom

   November 29, 2010 at 1:57 pm

   Sue, you’re a woman after my own heart. Yes, taking it to a jeweler would be the prudent thing to do but, where’s the challenge in that?
8. 

   BARBARA

   November 29, 2010 at 5:22 pm

   Hi Sue, since it has sentimental value to you why mess it up. Go to a good jewelry store and have them do it. Ever thought of what will happen to the heart?????? Have a ring from my mother and had it made smaller wouldn’t dream of messing with it when it is gone it is gone for ever.
   Good luck
9. 

   Deb Weller

   November 29, 2010 at 5:57 pm

   ::putting on my jeweler’s wife hat::

   You’ve gotten good advice. Please don’t even consider trying to melt and reform the shank. If the ring has sentimental value, please take it to a jeweler to have it re-sized. Some jewelry stores, like mine, can do a re-sizing while you wait – it only takes about 30-45 minutes or so, depending on how many sizes.

   A proper re-sizing is when the ring is cut and additional metal is soldered in to add to the size. If it has to go up more than 2 sizes, it gets especially tricky because re-sizing over 2 sizes can affect the integrity of any stone settings. This is definitely not a job for an amateur.

   Ask the jeweler how they would re-size the ring. If they say they will “stretch” it, leave and find another jeweler. IMHO, that is not the best way to re-size a ring. “Stretching” a ring will weaken the shank and it will eventually break, requiring what would essentially be a proper re-sizing to fix it. Doing it right the first time saves a lot of frustration.

   Hope this helps you solve your problem. Good Luck!
   • 

     dalecgr

     November 29, 2010 at 9:27 pm

     Thanks for your ‘jeweler’s wife’ expertise Deb : )
10. 

    Kitty

    November 29, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    Buy a new setting in the correct size. With pre-notched prongs setting stones is really not that hard. You may find one you actually like better that fits.
11. 

    Michele Nicholson

    November 29, 2010 at 8:22 pm

    Something sentimental. I would let the pros handle it. What about wearing it on a chain or wire wrapping it into a pendant?

    Michele
12. 

    Mildred S.Schiff

    November 30, 2010 at 12:42 am

    As a jewelry artist who has taught casting I totally agree with those who say get a professional to do the work . It’s not about the “Challange” If you do not have the right equipment-either a vacuum caster or a centrifugal machine you can not “pour the molten metal-if you could get it properly molten safely, which is another matter, too- the process requires either the push of the centrifugal machine or the pull of the vacuum. To try something like this as an amateur is just plain DANGEROUS!!!
    • 

      dalecgr

      November 30, 2010 at 9:59 am

      Mildred, thanks so much for adding your serious expertise!
13. 

    BARBARA

    December 2, 2010 at 3:39 am

    hi dale, what ever has sue desided to do with her ring??????
    • 

      dalecgr

      December 2, 2010 at 12:35 pm

      I don’t know Barbara- she has not come in to update us : )
14. 

    judy mulcahey

    December 22, 2010 at 4:37 am

    I have had many rings sized a good jeweler will add or subtract from the size and you will never know it was done you can have them save the piece they remove or make a deal to make it part of the payment for the work.