Gluing Stone Beads

something permanent - epoxy

Newbie here. I have recently started beading again after putting it down for a while. Glad to see some discussion about beading on Usenet!

Today I went to the bead store and purchased a strand of Jasper and Hematite beads. They are rather large, and when I got home I discovered that one of them is cracked in two. I suspect it happened after I bought them, because I usually look pretty closely at them before I buy.

Anyway, I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation for whether I could glue this bead back together, and if so, what sort of glue to use.

Thanks in advance!

Well, I wouldn't glue it back together and then use it in something I sold. I'd be more likely to glue it to a collage or piece of 3D art. If it broke once, and it has, using it in jewelry would likely cause it to break again and cause an unhappy customer.

No, I wouldn't sell it. I would use it in something for myself!

Thanks for the help, both of you. I guess epoxy is the way to go.

Hi Elle,

Check out this web site

Personally, I wouldn't glue it back together, though many beads sold are saturated with a glue when you buy them, like the "hematite" that comes in many shapes, and "stabilized turquoise". The two reasons are that you'd probably end up with some sort of ridge where they are glued and I'd worry it until it came apart again. And, the glue would probably cost more than a new bead.

So buy another strand. It's a perfect excuse to increase your bead stash.

Tina

I glued a stone cab together with E-6000. I'm going to bead it and just keep it for me. It's hardly noticeable, and it was special to me, so I'll still enjoy it. I've also used the E-6000 for gluing glass to earring and pin backs.