How to Melt Gold-Plated Rings

More than 2,500 tons of gold are mined throughout the world each year, according to Only Gold. All of the world's gold could fit in a 60-foot cube and would fill the space underneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The precious metal is part of the Earth's crust at an estimated .0025 parts per million. You also can find gold in seawater, but the concentrations are too small to profitably extract the metal. Jewelry enthusiasts often melt gold coins and jewelry to make unique jewelry.

Instructions

1

Preheat your soldering tool to a temperature of 710 to 787 degrees Fahrenheit. Don't attempt the heating process until your tool reaches at least the minimum temperature because the gold will not melt.

2

Clean the gold ring with boric acid and water. Scrub gently with a brush. Rinse and dry the ring.

3

Remove all stones and non-gold clasps from the ring to ensure that the only material to be melted is gold.

4

Place the gold-plated ring into a vise. Ensure the ring fits tightly into the vise to avoid burning accidents.

5

Bring the soldering tool within 12 inches of the gold ring and continue heating the ring until it changes to the consistency of putty. Slowly move the soldering tool back and forth to evenly heat the gold.

6

Use jeweler's tools to form the ring to your desired shape. These intricate tools are specifically designed to handle melted gold.

7

Allow the gold to cool completely. Clean and polish the gold with a soft rag and a metal polishing compound.