[Jewelry making - Article 01009] - [Orchid] Platinum coated diamonds

[Doc]

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    Through a series of tragic errors I was forced to weld a shank very
    close to some 1 pt. diamonds. 

    I opted to heatsink the stones rather than remove them on the off
    chance that the worst wouldn't happen, but it did. They're only 1
    pointers and the my cost of 'em is zero dollars so there's only the
    labor, (and had I removed them first...) 

    Anyway, I was told by someone that I could use hydrofluoric acid to
    remove the coating that results from some magical fuming from
    platinum. (I use LP and a niobium stick, etc. I haven't the luxury of
    a separate platinum room, but I take precautions as best I can.) I
    found reagent grade hydrofluoric acid at a local chemical supply
    house for close to $50.00 a pound, but the guy I work with & rent
    from won't allow it kept in his building. I think he thinks it'll
    cause a sort of "China syndrome" and kill everyone in the building
    via osmosis or something. 

    I know it's extremely dangerous and am loath to work with it, but
    I'm not keen on unsetting these stones because if the tiny prongs
    (bright-cut) snap off, there are even larger diamonds next to the 1
    pointers... 

    So I will try the acid. 

    Do any of you have any experience using this acid for this purpose?
    What about using it to clean off merely overheated/burned (not
    involving platinum) diamonds? 

    And aside from the usual precautions, i.e., rubber gloves, apron,
    and a face shield & ventilation, and some sodium bicarbonate handy,
    are there other tips or precautions you can offer. 

Thanx!
Doc
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