Filling Holes in Stones
I have no idea why I purchased these stones because I never use pendant stones with holes and usually do not like to work with large cabochons. They were very inexpensive, pretty, and I love turquoise so that is probably why they came home with me. I am not a fan of ice pick bails, so they sat in a box for over ten years until I started making holiday ornaments for the grandchildren and I wondered if I could fill the holes and use the stones.
Instructions
What I learned:
Various colors of polymer clay could be mixed to be a very good match for the stone color at the site of a hole.
The holes were very easy to fill with polymer clay and smooth over.
Some stones could not be baked even at the low temperature needed to harden the polymer clay. The binder in some composite stones melted or burned-the smell was awful. Who knows what chemicals were used in those "stones". It was summer and all the windows were open when I did this so after turning off the oven, I quickly pulled out a fan to get rid of the smell and left the house for a while.
Various colors of polymer clay could be mixed to be a very good match for the stone color at the site of a hole.
The holes were very easy to fill with polymer clay and smooth over.
Some stones could not be baked even at the low temperature needed to harden the polymer clay. The binder in some composite stones melted or burned-the smell was awful. Who knows what chemicals were used in those "stones". It was summer and all the windows were open when I did this so after turning off the oven, I quickly pulled out a fan to get rid of the smell and left the house for a while.
Some polymer clays polish better than others when trying to match the polymer clay to the surface luster of the host stone.
If I use these stones, I will still cover the filled holes with an embellishment, such as a vine with leaves or flowers, or large flower petals or leaves.
It will be better to use stone dust mixed with epoxy resin to fill holes in the future. No baking is needed and it will polish to be a better match to the host stone surface.
Note: When altered stones are used in pieces to be sold, there must be full disclosure of what was done to alter them.
If I use these stones, I will still cover the filled holes with an embellishment, such as a vine with leaves or flowers, or large flower petals or leaves.
It will be better to use stone dust mixed with epoxy resin to fill holes in the future. No baking is needed and it will polish to be a better match to the host stone surface.
Note: When altered stones are used in pieces to be sold, there must be full disclosure of what was done to alter them.
Materials
44x34MM Dendrite Agate/Black Jasper Inlay Flat Pear Pendant
E1-363
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $7.00
- Gold Club Price: $5.25
44x34MM Dendrite Agate/Black Jasper Inlay Flat Rectangle Pendant
E1-362
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $7.00
- Gold Club Price: $5.25
47x34MM Green Zebra Jasper Ladder Pendant
E1-278
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.20
- Gold Club Price: $2.40
Tools
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- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): General Education
Judy Larson
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