If you are new to jewelry making, the one thing you must add to your tools list is the right kind of glue needed for the most durable pieces of jewelry and other craft pieces.
Unfortunately, most people new to the game often end up buying the wrong product, either because they are misinformed or they just don’t know what to get.
Well, we are here to help you and save you from making costly mistakes regarding the choice of glue when it comes to jewelry making.
Today, we focus on superglue and jewelry glue and the differences between these two types of glues. So, let’s jump right to it!
What is jewelry glue?
Jewelry glue can be defined as the kind of strong and also permanent adhesive that is used to hold together jewelry and/or metallic pieces together.
Most of the time, the jewelry glue is clear and offers the best kinds of bonds between different elements or materials used in jewelry making.
This clear glue works well on porous and semi-porous stones and gems, as well as metals, among other kinds of materials used in jewelry making like plastic.
The glue is largely impact-resistant, and they are also waterproof, which is why the glue is an ideal choice for use in jewelry making and in their repairs too.
What’s the purpose of jewelry glue?
When creating jewelry, you will need the glue to bond parts of the jewelry together, for example, the gemstones to the metal that they are set on. The jewelry glue also comes in handy when repairing pieces of jewelry, thanks to the fact that the jewelry is designed to bond different types of materials, and the glue will come in handy in making sure that that the loose or broken pieces of the jewelry are joined together permanently. So, if you need to stick an opal to a sterling silver chain, you will need an effective jewelry glue, especially in the absence of a soldering machine.
In other words, the jewelry glue works as a strong bonding adhesive whose elements make the jewelry pieces or findings stick together.
However, it is worth noting that the use of glue and its effectiveness, and also what it’s used on for maximum effectiveness, will depend on the type of jewelry glue selected.
There are 4 main types of jewelry adhesives or glue, and though they all work great in bonding different parts of the jewelry, some work better for some type of jewelry than others. The main types of jewelry glue are as follows:
Jewelers’ Cement – this is often sold as cement, and what you need to know about it is that this kind of jewelry adhesive is one of the most powerful kinds of jewelry glue, and it is the ideal glue type for use when dealing with your finest detail work involving small embellishments and small beads. And you will be happy to know that in addition to its super-strength and effectiveness, the jewelry cement is one of the best and fastest quick-drying adhesives, which is clear when dried out. It’s easy to use thanks to the fine-precision applicator that it comes with, which makes this the perfect jewelry glue option for you if you are working on appliques, securing knots, securing cord ends, and embellishments.
All-purpose contact adhesive – this is the second type of jewelry glue, and it is commonly referred to as the E-6000. It is the most preferred option for crafters and jewelry makers, and it’s recommended that every jeweler has at least one tube or bottle on hand always. Note that in addition to it being the ideal option for jewelry making, it can also be used on fabric, canvas, leather, glass, ceramic, and plastic, among other materials. It is also a favorite for most people because it is not just waterproof but also paintable and flexible.
Instant Glue – not to be confused with superglue, instant glue is the kind of glue that is ideal for use when you are not in need of a heavy-duty adhesive. So, you would use it to secure beads coming loose and need to be secured to a vertical surface, or even the ones that need to be affixed to the end of a cord.
Epoxy – this is the other popular and reliable kind of glue used in making jewelry. It is also a multipurpose adhesive, and you will be happy with its heavy-duty design that allows for its use in bonding beads and gemstones to different parts of metal or jewelry findings. Note that Epoxy is regarded as the strongest version of adhesives used in jewelry making, and it can also find use in castings, especially for smaller items like hobby parts or knobs.
What materials jewelry glue works best on?
Essentially, the jewelry glue works on metals, beads, stones, mirrors, ceramics, glass, gems, and plastics.
Pros and cons of jewelry glue
Pros
- Jewelry glue is easily accessible online and in the small jewelry craft stores around your town.
- The glue is also very affordable.
- The best jewelry glue is versatile and works on different materials/ surfaces.
- The glue is strong and often hold together jewelry parts, permanently
- Great variety to choose from, depending on your needs, budget, and the scale of the project
- Removing jewelry glue from jewelry is rather easy
- Easy to use
- Most of these options have a short curing period
Cons
- Some glues are not 100% waterproof
- Some are too messy to work with and too harsh
- Not all dry up and maintain the desired clear look
What is super glue?
Superglue, formally known as Cyanoacrylate glue, is the most common kind of glue on the market, and it is said to be the ideal kind of glue to use for just about anything.
This glue is regarded as a quick-bonding glue, and you can use it to combine just about anything from plastic and leather to metals and, in other cases, the human skin.
What’s the purpose of superglue?
As described above, superglue is a bonding agent, which means that it is ideally used to hold together two or more elements.
Its effectiveness comes from the fact that the glue is not water-based like the previous versions of the glue.
Specifically, Superglue is made of a type of acrylic resin, with cyanoacrylate as the main ingredient – this is an acrylic monomer that is transformed into plastic when it’s cured.
The bonding happens in the presence of moisture on the surface of the materials that need to be bonded, and it will not work on surfaces that are completely dry.
Pros and cons of super glue
Pros
- Works fast
- Effective and reliable
- It can be used on different kinds of surfaces
Cons
- Not the very best option for jewelry
- The surfaces to be boned must have some moisture, and they will not work in the absence of moisture.
The difference between jewelry glue and super glue
Despite the name, super glue is different from instant jewelry glue. Instant jewelry glue boasts a rather thin consistency allowing for fast drying, and it is almost invisible when it’s dried, hence ideal for use in emergencies and when you cannot wait for the glue to dry.
On the contrary, superglue is thicker; it doesn’t dry that fast, it has a rough finish, and it will not retain a clear finish when it dries.
Can you use super glue on jewelry?
Although superglue is not the ideal kind of glue to use on jewelry, you could use it when it’s your only option.
The good news is that super glue works on jewelry made of sterling silver quite well, which is why it’s often used to fix pieces made of sterling silver, among other materials.
You could also use it to repair your earring posts, and the best part is that it dries fast, which is a great feature.
Jewelry Glue Example
Aleene’s 94830 Jewelry & Metal Glue
This jewelry and metal glue could be the best option for you if you are looking for the best quality jewelry glue for use in your crafts and new jewelry creation projects.
It works well for the pieces made of ceramic, as well as gems, rubber, leather, mirrors, wire, etc. You may also like it because it’s strong and offers a high degree of permanence.
It also bonds quickly, dries fast, doesn’t run, and it is clear when dry.
Super Glue Example
If you are looking for the most reliable glue that is worth your money, something that will sort you out in case of emergencies of any kind, you cannot go wrong with Gorilla Superglue.
This clear glue is versatile and reliable and works well on paper, wood, leather, plastic, ceramic, and metals, among others.
It will dry in less than 45 seconds, and its anti-clog cap will prevent the glue from drying out. It’s also strong and boasts a great level of impact resistance.
Conclusion
Though they are used for pretty much the same thing, the main difference between jewelry and super glue is that the jewelry glue is designed for use specifically for jewelry creation and repairs, while superglue can be used for pretty much anything else.
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Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.