Have you experienced this??? You created a beautiful, intricately wire wrapped pendant or earrings using a stunning, foil backed stone like a Swarovski crystal or faceted glass cabachon. You cleaned it, photographed it, then put it in your jewelry display for sale at a craft fair or online. At some time later, you discover that the foil backing has gotten scratched or is wearing off. The stone is RUINED!!! And those hours you spent crafting the perfect setting for that stone could be useless.
Once the foil backing is compromised, it's impossible to repair it. Believe me, I've tried.
Well I found a product at Fire Mountain Gems called "epoxy clay".
What is epoxy clay?
Epoxy clay is an easy-to-work-with, two-part clay (part resin, part hardener) that comes in a variety of colors, neutrals, white, and black.
You simply mix equal parts of the two to make the epoxy clay. It's very important that you knead and mix the clay for a full two minutes; it might look like it's well blended before the two minutes are up, but don't risk it. If it's not truly and completely mixed, it will never dry and cure. Properly mixed epoxy clay can be worked one to three hours (depending on the humidity in your area) until it gets too hard, so it's not quick or rushed like some resins, epoxies, and metal clay. Epoxy clay is durable and self-curing; it can be painted on or sanded, textured, carved, and drilled with tools like a Dremel.
Covering the foiled backs of crystals
It's best to work with a small amount at a time - when the two parts are combined it should be about the size of a marble. Once the clay is mixed thoroughly, you can roll it out in a thin layer. I run it through the pasta machine I use for polymer clay at the lowest setting. Then just lay the clay over the back of your stone and pinch off the excess (you'll probably need to re-roll the leftover clay to use on another stone). It's a little tedious getting the layer thin and smooth, but I use a drop of water to help with this process. As you work, you will need something sharp to continuously remove the clay that bleeds over the edge of the crystal. Once you have it nice and smooth, set it aside to dry thoroughly.
If your stone has a hole front to back, you can use a toothpick or similar item to remove the clay from the hole. But be careful as pushing the toothpick from front to back will dislodge your layer from the back of the stone. Push it part way through the front side just so you can see where the hole is, then, from the back side you can stick the toothpick through and clean out any clay inside the hole.
Once the clay is dry you can sand it, paint it, or use pigment powders to make it look the way you want it.
Now you can use those beautiful foil backed crystals without risk.
