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Frequently Asked Questions - R&R® Solitaire investment
What is the difference between R&R Solitaire investment and other R&R gypsum investments?
R&R Solitaire investment is a gypsum based material containing ingredients that protect the gemstones during the high
temperatures of burnout and casting. R&R Solitaire investment has different characteristics than regular gypsum investment.
Since stone-in-place castings are not normally quenched out of flasks after casting, R&R Solitaire investment is not designed
to quench out easily.
Why does R&R Solitaire investment turn green when I mix it with water?
Coloring was added to the formulation as a safety measure. This allows you to confirm before casting that the proper
investment is being used with stones. The color itself does not affect the performance of the investment or its measurable
properties.
Can I steam dewax with this product too?
Yes. Simply follow the recommended burnout cycles.
I cast gold pieces, with and without stones cast in place. Can I use the R&R Solitaire investment for both types of castings?
R&R Solitaire investment does not have the same quenching characteristics that ULTRA-VEST investment has. Therefore,
you will likely have a difficult time trying to quench flasks cast in R&R Solitaire investment. Some mechanical means of
investment removal is recommended. However, both products are prepared in the same manner and R&R Solitaire
investment can be elevated to the same burnout temperatures as the other investments if gemstones are not preset in the
wax patterns.
What are your recommendations to remove R&R Solitaire investment from the tree?
Few casters quench flasks containing stones when hot because there is such a high potential for cracking the stones.
Therefore, the product was formulated in a manner that does not respond well to quenching.
After allowing the flask to cool for several hours at room temperature, you are advised to use a mechanical system, like a
high pressure water blast or sand blasting, to clean the investment off the tree. Others prefer to soak the tree in a
hydrofluoric acid solution. Proceed carefully in this procedure; the alloy and/or the stones may be affected by the solution.
You may also want to set up a screen system to catch any loose stones that may be dislodged during the cleaning process.
What types of stones can be cast with R&R Solitaire investment?
Hard, small jewelry grade stones (.25 carat and smaller) make up the bulk of the stones being cast in place. Jewelry grade
stones can be synthetic as well as natural, but they need to be hard enough to withstand the high temperatures
experienced at burnout and casting.
Be advised that industrial grade stones, which usually include defects and inclusions (hence, they cannot be rated as
jewelry grade) are never recommended to be cast in place. The inclusions can allow oxygen into the stones, resulting in
damage (burning) during a normal cast in place process.
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