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 of opal or 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.

Comments:

olga says:
03-22-2013

Txs, it was very useful. Is there any special meaning if the stone is broken?? Any sort of spell broken?

sunnyray says:
03-26-2013

I take it that your question concerns a stone previously used for casting a spell. Then, if the stone is broken, it is very likely that the spell is broken too. Not that you should use gemstones for casting spells in the first place.

Sandra says:
06-09-2013

Need to repair damaged murtis made of jade, lapia lazuli, crystal (spatika) and other. What equipment do you recommend. Thank you.

sunnyray says:
06-09-2013

Dear Sandra,
Thanks for the comment. In your case we are talking about a rather sensitive repair. I would suggest consulting an expert gemologist just to make sure that you are doing everything the best possible way. Sorry I could not be more specific.

Versha says:
08-12-2013

Hello,

The tip of my pyramide-shaped, green fluorite gemstone broke, what can I do to fix this? Also, what does this break signify, if anything? (It's part of a pendulum/bracelet)

Thank you, Versha

sunnyray says:
08-29-2013

Dear Versha

In terms of metaphysical action it shouldn't matter much.

Morgan says:
12-26-2013

What if your gemstone just has a minor chip? What would you recommend for that?

sunnyray says:
12-27-2013

Hi Morgan,
I wouldn't even bother about a minor chip. I would use it as it is.

Saxton says:
05-02-2014

Do you know any experts in Denver to repair specimens? I have a 2 very pricey stones to repair. Thanks!

sunnyray says:
05-03-2014

Hi Saxton,
Unfortunately, I don't. In any case, you would need a quality jewelry repair service. Maybe some of the readers of sunnyray website would be able to give you a good tip. Thanks for the comment.

Patrice says:
10-14-2014

I have a beautiful 1/2" checker board cut garnet that has cracked. The garnet is set in a ring. Can it be repaired without further damage?

sunnyray says:
10-15-2014

Hi Patrice. In cases like yours, when you have something precious and beautiful, I'd leave the repair job to the professionals.

Kimberly says:
01-10-2016

The tip of my pyramid-shaped polished amethyst completely broke of. The gemstone is small and and a necklace. What can I do to fix it?

Cesar says:
03-01-2016

My black onyx gemstone cracked in half in my senior class ring, is there any ways to repair it, all the pieces are still in the ring.

sunnyray says:
03-01-2016

I would leave the repair to a qualified jeweler. That's by far the best way.

arifin says:
05-10-2016

i have a blue sapphire. here i found a minor crack inside the stone. Is it dangerous or harmful for me if i wear it.

sunnyray says:
05-13-2016

No, no danger at all.

Rahul says:
06-09-2016

i am wearing a green color gemstone on my right lady's finger but on top of gemstone in the corner side it got slightly broken or you can say a small tip got removed.

will it make any difference does the effect of stone will reduce.

please help me out, I'm little worried.

sunnyray says:
06-17-2016

As far as I see it, no reason whatsoever to worry.

venisa says:
06-21-2016

The tip of my white sapphire is slightly broken will it bring misfortune.

sunnyray says:
06-22-2016

No way. Just please don't ever program that thought, or any other negative thought, in your subconscious mind.

Nanci says:
08-29-2016

I have a beautiful Chrysoprase quartz and noticed a slight cracked line in the stone. Should I be concern. Does it weaken the power of the stone. Thank you

sunnyray says:
09-02-2016

My opinion is not really, or not to the extent that you would notice.

ravenrose says:
11-11-2016

My fluorite point necklace has a fracture/crack the whole way across the Middle. Is there anything I can do to heal this? I've read things about burying it and stuff but I really have no clue. I've had fluorites before that have snapped straight in half and I really don't want this one to do the same

sunnyray says:
11-11-2016

Hi ravenrose
It is not easy to say if it will stay that way or crack all the way through. I doubt burying your fluorite would help. Maybe a gemologist could be able to fill the fracture with some transparent material to prevent further damage. They often do that to fill fractures in Rubies and Sapphires. Hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and I wish you all the best.

Ronald says:
01-11-2017

Hi, and thanks for being here.
I have a John Hardy ring with an agate stone.
There is a tiny hole near the center that seems to go through the entire stone.
Should the hole be filled, and if so?
Also, if it isn't filled, what is the risk or likelihood the hole will grow over time?
Thanks again, and happy new year.

sunnyray says:
01-12-2017

No the hole shouldn't grow over time. Unless, e.g., there are microscopic cracks somewhere in the stone, but that holds for any type of stone or crystal.

Toni says:
02-01-2017

I have a large opal (set in a ring) with a hairline fracture, partway through it. Can I brush a small amount of superglue gel on the back (to keep fracture from spreading)?

sunnyray says:
02-01-2017

I have never done that, and I'm not sure if that's the best thing you can do. Fractures in Opal are often related to the well known property of Opal to lose water in time. Please check with a gemologist, what's the best course of action in your case.

Joel says:
05-23-2017

Is there a chance that my citrine will repair cracks by itself if i program it to repair itself?

sunnyray says:
05-23-2017

Although people report miraculous repairs, changes of shape and form, and similar manifestations, the likelihood of something like that happening is not great. That is not to say that you shouldn't try.

Dilan says:
07-30-2017

Hi! Thanks for a lovely site with great info! Yesterday a tigers eye and a moonstone came to me in two separate rings. This morning of course i dropped the moonstone on my night stand and i discovered a thin crack along the side. The crack is slightly black as if it has been there for a while and dirt got in BUT I didnt see that yesterday. So, if the crack is a result of my shaky morning hands - should I be worried? I was surprisingly upset by this but I take that as a sign of my already deep affection for my new gem friends.

sunnyray says:
07-30-2017

Hi Dilan, and thanks for the comment, and no, you shouldn't be worried at all. Usually, what matters the most is your own interpretation of the event, not what I or anybody else thinks about it. Many blessings!

Jo says:
12-04-2017

I dropped an ametrine pendant and a part of it broke off. Would epoxy be a good option for trying to put it back into one piece? Its one of my favorites to wear and to look at, but is also very sentimental so I'm willing to retire it and just keep the pieces to have if repairing it is too arduous or potentially harmful to the stone itself. Thanks!

sunnyray says:
12-04-2017

If it is of sentimental value, I would suggest going to a professional jeweler. Otherwise you can try with the epoxy glue. Thanks for commenting.

Molly says:
02-21-2018

I have a Watermelon Tourmaline Slice that broke in half during shipping. Is there any way I can repair it myself?

sunnyray says:
02-21-2018

I haven't tried such a repair on Tourmaline. It is much better to give it to a professional if it has any special meaning for you.

Monjoy Ghosh says:
03-04-2018

Sir i have a blue stare sapphire it has a scratch and a minor crack. Is it dangerous or harmful for me if i wear it.

sunnyray says:
03-04-2018

I don't think it's harmful, in the metaphysical sense, that is.

Mary says:
07-12-2018

Hi I have a peridot that chipped and a chunk of it came off can I use epoxy 330 to fill it in

Johanan says:
02-04-2020

Hi, I have a blue labradorite ring witch I dropped on the floor. There is a small crack at the tip of the ring but it consists out of one piece and the ring still perfectly holds it together, in dark you don't really see the crack but in light you see the difference in color, you have any recommendations on how to fix? I just got the ring and it had really special meaning to me, I really want it back the way it was before. Really hope you can help me out here. Many thanks!

sunnyray says:
02-04-2020

There's little you can do if the difference in color is the problem. Maybe a gemologist could do something or could have some good advice.

Troy Gamez says:
09-14-2022

Hello

Please help. Buying a 200 year old Tibetan turquoise pendant in a few days. Pendant weighs 79 grams, and is 9.5cm in length. I noticed a hairline crack across the top of the turquoise.
I feel it adds character to the piece. I don’t think I will use the pendant as it’s original purpose. I may re-purpose as an extra large ring on my thumb.
Couple questions?
Is there harm wearing the turquoise with the hairline crack or fracture?
Is it repairable?
If not repaired, will the turquoise crack even more?
Recommendations for the repair?
Recommended fillers?
Is it a bad omen wearing turquoise that is cracked?
Please, and thank you…

sunnyray says:
09-14-2022

It won't bring any harm, and, as far as I can tell, it is not a bad omen, so you can wear it regardless of the crack. I haven't bothered repearing turquoise, but it can be done with some special types of fillers (for example glue). If you absolutely have to repair it, leave the job to a proffesional jeweler. In general, unfortunatelly, turquoise is prone to fractures, so one should handle it with care.

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