Despite the advances in technology throughout the years, the value and popularity of antiques still seem to grow. People are realizing just how valuable and irreplaceable their antiques may become. While there are many kinds of antiques that can be restored, furniture and clocks are most common. It is rare that you will find any piece that has lasted many years without some kind of damage. It is expected that antiques will wear naturally. This natural wear can sometimes actually increase the value of an antique. It may seem practical to want to keep any antique from further degradation, but you should make sure that you are not accidentally devaluing your antique by making frivolous repairs.
Most antiques need very special care when you repair them. However, there are some antiques that are better left without repair. Sometimes what looks like damage, may actually make an antique valuable. You should always do some research on the item that you are considering for repair. Find out what era it is from and the materials, techniques and finishes of that time period. Try to find out how valuable it is and why.
If you believe the item may be worth thousands of dollars, you may not want to take a chance on repairing it yourself. You should have it professionally repaired or restored. Even if it is worth a few hundred dollars, you may want to hire an expert. The cost may be lower than you expect. Shop around for estimates. If the piece is not extremely valuable, this may be a good way to learn about antique repair.
When repairing antiques you should consider the type of glue you are going to use. Some antiques may require a different type of glue or mending material than other antiques. So you should not use an "all purpose glue" approach when repairing your valuable antiques. Some popular glues can lose strength over time. To remove and redo substandard repairs adds significantly to the time and difficulty of repairing the item. Some glues are impossible to remove and make re-repair difficult or impossible.
Another important thing is to save all the pieces. Lost pieces can be reconstructed, but this is more difficult and costly than just putting the pieces back together. Sometimes when things break, small but important pieces can fly across the room, or several yards to the side. You should do everything possible to locate all the pieces. If something has broken in shipment, look in the box or container very carefully. Large pieces should be wrapped individually when shipping.
The best way to repair is often with a cement. Do the edges of the broken pieces fit together closely? If so, a good two-part epoxy cement is best. I recommend an epoxy which cures to a clear color, not amber like most. The brand name is Huges 330 Epoxy. It is made for gemstone material cementing. A craft shop should have this cement or may order it for you. If not, try an exposy cement from a craft shop or hardware store but do not get the quick setting kind. The best will harden in about 2 hours. Quick set cements cure in 5 minutes and this is too little time to make a good joint of the broken ends.
Clean the ends well with alcohol. This is needed to remove any traces of oils, etc. which will lead to a joint failure later. Arrange a means to hold the ends together so the ends will not be moved until the cement cures. Do this arrangement first and be certain it will work.
Then, mix the two part cement according to directions. Apply only enough cement to one broken edge to cover the end with a little cement. Push the pieces together and see if too much runs out the edges. If so, wipe off before the cement starts to cure then place together again. Hold the pieces in place as mentioned already.
Leave the left over on a mixing paper or plastic, whatever is used to mix the cement and place the mixer(toothpick, paper clip or other handy object) into the unused part. When the object is cemented hard on the unused portion of the cement, you know the jade is also cured and may be handled.
Excess if any may be carefully trimmed with a razor edge or left alone. Trimming of extruded cement will often leave a white and easily seen line. Sometimes it is best to leave the cement as is.
If you have way too much cement and way too much is pushed from the joined edges, clean in acetone or nail polish remover. Clean well as you can. Then start again with a new mix of the epoxy. Do not use "super glue" since this will not hold strongly for a long period of time.
If you want to try to do the work, I believe you can. The first try might be messy and you might have to try a second time. If you want someone else to do it, a jeweler should be able to cement the pieces together for yourepair depends on the sort of break in the bracelet. If the jade is broken and the ends of the break fit fairly well, a jeweler( or you if handy with such) may use a good expoxy cement to join the ends. A recommended epoxy is Hughes 330, recommended because it cures water clear and is quite strong with gemstone materials. In any case, epoxy cements have no strength when first mixed. The cure brings the strength. If you try it yourself, dry fit first to find a way to support the pieces during the 2 hour cure time.
If the break is jagged and the ends do not fit, the best solution is to have a jeweler make a metal tube, either of silver or gold, to go over the broken ends and bring all together as a jade bangle with "metal fittings". The tube will need to have two ends angled to fit the curve of the jade pieces at each break.
I do hope the break is clean and will fit back together. If so, with a good cleaning to remove all traces of oils, etc., the epoxy solution to the fix will work quite well. If done carefully, there will be little to show obviously at the break line.
Victor Epand has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shopping, Trucks and Interest. Victor Epand is an expert consultant for pottery, antiques, and figurines. When shopping for pottery, antiques and figurines, we recommend these online stores for . Victor Epand's top article generates over 11100000 views. to your Favourites.