Things You'll Need
Small end wire cutters
Ceramic soldering board
Tweezers
Gold paste solder with flux
Cotton swab
Jeweler's torch
Bench pin
Radial bristle disc brush
Gold rope chain is made with delicate, tiny interlocking rings of gold. The chain is so small that it looks like a rope or braided wire. Solder a gold rope chain to make your own necklace or to repair a broken one. Gold rope chain can easily be repaired at home by applying a layer of gold paste solder and a little bit of heat.
Step 1
Cut off any damaged links from the broken ends of the rope chain with small-end wire cutters. Cut the end links of the chain (the chain links attached to the clasp of the gold rope chain necklace).
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Step 2
Set the gold chain on a ceramic soldering board on your workspace. Fit the two ends of the chain back together with a pair of tweezers and press the links closed.
Step 3
Apply a small amount of gold paste solder to the broken parts of the chain links or the joint with a cotton swab.
Step 4
Turn on the jeweler's torch and adjust the flame to a small pointed tip. Run the flame over the ceramic soldering pad, near the joint of the chain. The heat will radiate up off the soldering pad and melt the solder. The indirect heat method ensures that you do not accidentally melt the gold chain links around the joint. As soon as you see the solder melt, turn off the torch.
Step 5
Wait one hour for the chain to cool and the solder to set. Place the joint of the gold chain onto the bench pin. Clean off the flux and discoloration caused by oxidation from the heat with a radial bristle disc brush.
Warning
Handle open flames with care as they are a fire risk.
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