If your gemstone is cracked can you repair it?

Recently we have received a question asked via our online form about repairing cracked sapphire gemstones. Somebody also asked a question about how to repair a cracked jade stone. These seem to be common problems, since many types of crystals and minerals, as hard as they migh be, exhibit various microscopic and (sadly) macroscopic defects. We are always sorry to hear about such issues, especially if it happens to a favorite jewelry item, meditation stone, or a crystal dear to your heart.

While these kinds of questions should have been directed to a professional gemologist, in the following we will try to share our (somewhat limited) knowledge on how to deal with such problem.

Please note that this is a general discussion. In reality, it all depends on the type of mineral, color of mineral, and on the specific fracture to your stone. Paradoxically, a more difficult case could be a gemstone with a fracture only visible on the surface, but extending deeply in the bulk, as compared to the totally broken stone. This is due to the fact that it might be impossible to completely fill up the crack with glue material in a partially fractured stone. This, however, is relatively easy to do on a totally broken natural gemstone, provided that there are only two or three broken pieces and that all of them are accounted for. Hughes 330 epoxy is good for such complete breaks. It is a very good cement for inlay.

Gemstone Epoxy Glues

In any case you need to consider leaving this repair in the hands of a skillful and experienced jeweler. Even better, try contacting a rock shop manager who, by the nature of his everyday job, should be familiar with how to use epoxy on gems, crystals and minerals. If you still want to try it for yourself, you can play with some of the most popular lapidary epoxy glues.

Epoxy 330 is water clear adhesive for all sorts of lapidary repairs. It can be used on rocks and gems as a transparent glue for invisible bonding. It is also good for ceramics, glasses, and metals. It can be used to bond gems to metal bases, gems to glasses and to fill cavities. It bonds relatively quickly, in some 15 minutes (10 if heat is applied), but the full strength is achieved in 2 hours. The test of time is the only viable test in these cases, so there's never a guarantee.

These sorts of adhesives are also used for making doublets and triplets in opal jewelry. If you need extraordinary optical properties, clarity and permanence (this is a must if you sell doublets or triplets) your choice is Hxtal.

Trained lapidaries will be able to apply pressure, heat and vacuum conditions alongside using these epoxy adhesives. Acetone is the usual solvent until the epoxy thickens - afterwards you would have to apply a long soak in paint remover. Using vacuum, however, might be questionable, as most experts, will avoid the risk of polluting their vacuum machines.

Know that there are some online gemology forums where you can get a more specific advice regarding all types of repairs on semi precious stones and gemstones.

What happens to the metaphysical, healing and spiritual properties of a cracked stone?

This is an interesting question, and there is a debate going on as to what degree the metaphysical properties have been altered. We believe that the healing and spiritual potential of such stones is somewhat diminished, but that they remain useful.

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