To join rings together securely, the process involves soldering, which uses a special filler metal called solder. You don't actually melt the rings themselves, but rather the solder that fuses them.
The Soldering Process
According to the reference, rings are joined together by:
- Heating a filler metal, known as solder, until it melts.
- The molten solder then flows between the surfaces of the two rings to be joined.
- As the solder cools and solidifies, it fuses the two rings together.
This process creates a secure and seamless connection where the solder bonds the metals.
Key Steps in Joining Rings
Professionals typically follow a detailed process for soldering rings:
- Preparation: The rings are cleaned thoroughly, and the areas to be joined are carefully filed or shaped to fit together precisely.
- Positioning: The rings are held firmly in the correct position using clamps or fixtures.
- Applying Flux: A substance called flux is applied to the joint area. Flux helps clean the metal surfaces and allows the solder to flow smoothly.
- Applying Solder: Small pieces of solder, often in wire or sheet form, are placed along the joint.
- Heating: A torch is used to heat the rings and the solder. The heat is directed evenly until the solder reaches its melting point and flows into the joint.
- Cooling and Cleaning: Once the solder has flowed and solidified, the rings are cooled, and any excess flux or discoloration is removed through cleaning and polishing.
The solder used is typically an alloy with a lower melting point than the metal of the rings (e.g., gold solder for gold rings, silver solder for silver rings). This ensures the solder melts and bonds the rings without deforming or melting the rings themselves.
Joining rings together through soldering is a common technique used by jewelers to create ring stacks, fusion rings, or repair breaks. It provides a strong, permanent bond between the pieces.
