Memorial Jewellery Problems
Creating memorial jewellery, such as resin ashes stones, is a deeply personal and meaningful process. These pieces hold immense sentimental value for clients, making it essential for jewellery designers to ensure their work is durable and long-lasting. However, even with the utmost care, issues like resin stones coming away from ring, pendant, or charm bases can occur. Here's why this may happen and how to address and prevent it.
Why Resin Stones May Detach
1. Coated Jewellery Bases
Some jewellery suppliers coat their bases with a layer of polish or protective finish before sending them to designers. While this is often done to enhance the aesthetic appeal or protect the base during transit, it can inadvertently interfere with the bonding process when setting resin stones. Unfortunately, this coating isn’t always noticeable, which means designers might not realise their adhesive isn't bonding directly to the metal surface. Bases need to be scored properly.
2. Water, oils & creams - Damage
Resin jewellery is not waterproof. (no matter what other artists tell you/splashproof yes) When pieces become waterlogged especially with warm, hot water—whether through accidental submersion or repeated exposure to moisture, oils, hand sanitizers etc...—the bond between the resin and the jewellery base can weaken, causing the stone to loosen or come away entirely especially if the UV resin the keepsake artist is using has a high shrink rate. We have seen this with rings. Not pendants which leads me to believe that rings are not being taken off.
3. Knocks and Impacts
Everyday wear and tear, including accidental bumps or drops, can also compromise the bond. While resin is a durable material, it’s not indestructible, and repeated impact can cause the adhesive to fail.
4. A UV resin with a high shrink rate
THIS IS IMPORTANT - Keepsake artists, make sure your UV resin has a low to no shrink rate if you are doing a direct pour. I made the mistake trying a new UV resin that the keepsake community was raving about, just to discover the shrink rate was terrible and leading to many problems, luckily I had only used it for a few months.
My Personal Experience
As a designer, I was mortified when I experienced this issue firsthand. Knowing how precious these pieces are to clients, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to identify the root cause and implement effective solutions. I also discovered that several other jewellery designers working with resin have faced similar challenges when I enquired, further highlighting the need for increased awareness and best practices within the industry.
Tips for Jewellery Designers
To minimise the risk of resin stones detaching, here are some tips:
1. Prepare the Jewellery Base
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Sand the Setting Area: Lightly sand the surface where the resin stone will be bonded to remove any coatings or finishes. This creates a rough texture, allowing the adhesive to grip more effectively.
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Clean Thoroughly: Use alcohol wipes or acetone to clean the base after sanding. This removes any residual oils, dust, or debris, ensuring a clean surface for bonding.
2. Educate Your Clients
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Keep Jewellery Dry: Advise clients to avoid wearing resin jewellery while showering, swimming, or engaging in activities where the piece may be exposed to water oils, creams or heat.
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Handle With Care: Encourage clients to store their jewellery safely when not in use and to avoid knocking or dropping it.
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Exposure to high heat: from sources such as hairdryers, hot tubs, oven or intense lighting can cause the resin setting to expand, potentially leading to it separating from the metal.
3. Test Your Materials
If you suspect a base has a coating that might interfere with bonding, test a small area with adhesive or consult your supplier for clarification.
What to Do If a Piece Fails
If a client reports an issue with their jewellery, approach the situation with understanding and professionalism. Offer to repair or replace the piece if possible, and use it as an opportunity to refine your processes further. Mistakes happen, but what matters most is how you handle them.
Final Thoughts
Memorial jewellery is a labour of love, and the care you put into your work reflects the importance of these keepsakes. By taking the time to properly prepare jewellery bases and educate your clients, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of resin stones detaching and ensure your creations are cherished for years to come
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