Alexandrite

[flyingharp]

These first got my interest purely because of their pleochroism (red under incandescent/green under fluorescent light)

Now, can anyone settle for me the question of heat sensitivity of alexandrite. The story so far...

I am making a pendant with a diamond and an alexandrite, both in half-bezel settings (my first project, so don''t laugh!)

I was so excited in finishing off the settings when I realized I''d forgotten to solder on the thing the chain hangs on. Duh!

So, would it be safe to coat the piece in thermogel and easy solder the (thing the chain hangs on) on, or do I have to unmount the alexandrite?

I have found quite conflicting info so far on the internet: Alexandrite has a high heat sensitivity... sensitive to EXTREME heat... caution when soldering...

What''s the real story with alexandrite, then?

 

[adamas]

tough tough call....
in theory, it should take heat and won't be affected by pickle.
on the other hand, unsetting it increases the potential for breakage.
If it was mine, i'd go for the heat, i'm assuming it's one solder with a medium. If it is a customers, i'd be thinking hard about a unset, customers risk situation.

 

[flyingharp]

Thanks for the reply, Adamas!

Well, it soldered fine! With heaps of thermogel and fingers and everything crossed!

Phew! It's away to the assay office to get hallmarked now.