Seeking a gemstone epoxy

June 20, 2013 2:44 AM

Calling all gemmologists and jewellers: I need to adhere natural diamonds to a synthetic surface. I have been told that standard epoxies will cause the diamonds to appear black (?!) What are my options?

These are small, cut diamonds of the type traditionally used in a pavé setting. I need to apply a fixative to the lower girdle, which will sit in a tiny hole. I was thinking of using clear Gorilla Glue or Epoxy 330, but I've been told that a) standard epoxies will blacken the appearance, and that b) the diamonds may simply not adhere anyway.

So before I sit here with tiny tweezers and a bunch of ruined gemstones, I would love to know if this blackening effect rumour is true, and if anyone has suggestions for epoxies that might actually work. Thanks!

posted by DarlingBri to Science & Nature (2 answers total)

This crafter recommends E-6000 epoxy. However, she only tests different adhesives with foil-backed flat stones. The foil backing probably helps keep the stones from darkening - I'm not sure what this epoxy would do to the color of an unfoiled diamond. But this jeweler (while only addressing super glue) agrees that diamonds are a lot less adherent than other gemstones. So the only upside is that you're less likely to ruin your diamonds than you are to ruin your surface and lose the diamonds.
posted by twoporedomain at 9:55 AM on June 20, 2013

Response by poster: Blergh. I think this darkening thing is an unfounded rumour, so I'm going to try a variety of epoxies and a top sealer and see if I can't get those stuckers to stick :) Thanks!
posted by DarlingBri at 3:10 PM on June 21, 2013