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This picture
shows a gold chain which has broken.
The first
step is to cut one of the links so that it can be inserted though the
link on the other end of the chain.
Click on
any of the images to enlarge them.
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The
cut link is then held in a position for soldering the join. You will notice
both sides of the chain are now encompased by the link with the join at
the top. |
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The
join is then covered in a flux paste to keep the join free of oxide during
the soldering process. |
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A very small
piece of gold solder is then placed on the join. If you cant see it in
this photo on the very top of the link then you will appreciate why our
jeweller works with magnifying glasses when doing such fine work.
It is very
important to use a very small piece of solder as the links are very thin.
A large piece of solder will fill one or more links and join them together
into a larger inflexible mess.
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The soldering
is done with a very small gas torch which can generate over 800C in a
very finite range.
This equipment
enables us to melt only the small piece of solder and not the rest of
the chain which could easily melt with larger equipment.
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The chain
is then polished in specially designed polishing equipment which gently
brings back the full lustre of the chain, even inside the round links
of this chain.
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