<p>Mainly a terminology thing, but &quot;concrete&quot; wouldn't be used for jewelry.  That term refers to a mix that includes large aggregate that's held together with a cement binder.  On something like a road or sidewalk, the layer of rocks provides the strength and the cement just holds it in place.  On relatively thick art castings, you might be able to use a filler of aggregate the size of say pea gravel or aquarium gravel if you need compressive strength.  On small items, especially jewelry size, there would be no need for aggregate, and its presence could even work against you.  If you wanted the appearance of the aggregate, you might need to make an over sized lump containing aggregate and then cut it to size with something like a diamond blade.</p>
<p>At the size of things like cement countertops, large bowls, and art sculptures on buildings, what's used is typically a mix of sand and cement, sometimes with strengtheners like embedded fibers.  At jewelry size, it's typically sand and cement.  The particle size used depends on the item size and surface texture/detail desired.  For example, if you're casting tiny beads or something that will have a smooth surface with fine detail, you would need a very fine particle size.</p>
<p>If your objective is something that looks like concrete, with a grainy surface texture, you can use products sold as concrete toppers (the particular product selected wouldn't make much difference for your purpose).  These are designed to add a thin layer on top of existing concrete as a repair or leveler.  They are generally very strong because a thin layer has to hold up to wear and tear.</p>
<p>If your objective is something that looks more like polished stone, with a very smooth surface and/or fine detail, there are a few products designed for that purpose.  One is cement mixtures designed for countertops.  Another is a product that's popular among hobbyists for small castings, made by Rapid Set, called <a href="https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/11/114f18c8-4dd3-4373-b431-471fb67487ed.pdf" rel="noreferrer">Cement All</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ZoCbh.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ZoCbh.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a>  <em><sub>Image courtesy Home Depot</sub></em></p>
<p>It's available at hardware stores, and package sizes include relatively small quantities that will go a long way if you're just using it for jewelry.  You can mix it to a soupy consistency and make extremely detailed castings (if the mold is very smooth, the result will look polished and shiny, like polished stone).</p>
<p>The filler is very fine silica, and the binder is CSA cement rather than Portland cement.  CSA cement is superior to Portland cement in that it is stronger, doesn't shrink, reaches full strength faster, etc.</p>
<p>You don't need to add anything to these cement mixes for strength, they will be plenty strong for jewelry purposes.  There are dyes you can add for a desired color.  Concrete is porous and can absorb stains if it's handled a lot.  You can seal the surface with a sealant designed for countertops, coat it with resin, or just spray it with a clear finish.  Cement can be brittle, so dropping it on a hard surface could chip or crack it.  Coating it with resin or a clear finish would provide additional protection against that.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-11T22:34:11.543Z
Thank you for the detailed response. 

I apologize. I guess I use the term 'concrete' very loosely. Your post taught me a few things.

I've recently purchased a bag of [Quikrete Non-Shrink Precision Grout](https://www.quikrete.com/productlines/nonshrinkprecisiongrout.asp). This looks similar to the one you recommended. 

I'll give a CSA cement a try, too. 

When you suggest coating it with resin... I can mix and just brush it on the piece, right? But, won't that gloss the piece? I don't want it glossed.
Millhorn
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-12T00:50:03.293Z
@JaredNewnam, I have no experience with that grout.  If you already own it, give it a try.  You can probably buy CSA cement by itself but for casting purposes, you want a mix with fine sand, so I would just buy the Cement All, or research another mix with coarser sand if you prefer a grainier surface.  re: resin -- I was thinking dipping or brushing, but if you don't want a glossy finish, you could spray with a flat clear coating.  A thin coating will seal the cement so it doesn't absorb stains.  A thick coating will provide a little protection against chipping or cracking if it's dropped.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-11T20:15:23.300Z
2020-12-11T20:15:23.300Z
fixer1234
<p>I'm trying to tap into some areas of concrete and I'm reaching to find out what might be considered to be the most durable concrete for small piece jewelry.</p>
<p>Or would it be grout? Maybe a plaster that's considered strongest?</p>
<p>If concrete can be made stronger with something like fiberglass, iron filings, etc., I'd like to hear about that, too.</p>
<p>Additionally, is there a concrete sealer that can harden concrete, that would be valuable for this answer.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-11T19:56:07.953Z
It seems like epoxy or polyester  would fit your application . Either can be filled with fiberglas, iron powder, sand, etc , And will  bond to other materials unlike concrete type materials .
blacksmith37
<jewelry><concrete>
What is considered the most durable concrete for jewelry?
Millhorn
# What is considered the most durable concrete for jewelry?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-12-11)

I'm trying to tap into some areas of concrete and I'm reaching to find out what might be considered to be the most durable concrete for small piece jewelry.

Or would it be grout? Maybe a plaster that's considered strongest?

If concrete can be made stronger with something like fiberglass, iron filings, etc., I'd like to hear about that, too.

Additionally, is there a concrete sealer that can harden concrete, that would be valuable for this answer.

**Tags:** jewelry, concrete

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It seems like epoxy or polyester  would fit your application . Either can be filled with fiberglas, iron powder, sand, etc , And will  bond to other materials unlike concrete type materials .  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-12-11. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

Mainly a terminology thing, but "concrete" wouldn't be used for jewelry. That term refers to a mix that includes large aggregate that's held together with a cement binder. On something like a road or sidewalk, the layer of rocks provides the strength and the cement just holds it in place. On relatively thick art castings, you might be able to use a filler of aggregate the size of say pea gravel or aquarium gravel if you need compressive strength. On small items, especially jewelry size, there would be no need for aggregate, and its presence could even work against you. If you wanted the appearance of the aggregate, you might need to make an over sized lump containing aggregate and then cut it to size with something like a diamond blade.

At the size of things like cement countertops, large bowls, and art sculptures on buildings, what's used is typically a mix of sand and cement, sometimes with strengtheners like embedded fibers. At jewelry size, it's typically sand and cement. The particle size used depends on the item size and surface texture/detail desired. For example, if you're casting tiny beads or something that will have a smooth surface with fine detail, you would need a very fine particle size.

If your objective is something that looks like concrete, with a grainy surface texture, you can use products sold as concrete toppers (the particular product selected wouldn't make much difference for your purpose). These are designed to add a thin layer on top of existing concrete as a repair or leveler. They are generally very strong because a thin layer has to hold up to wear and tear.

If your objective is something that looks more like polished stone, with a very smooth surface and/or fine detail, there are a few products designed for that purpose. One is cement mixtures designed for countertops. Another is a product that's popular among hobbyists for small castings, made by Rapid Set, called [Cement All](https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/11/114f18c8-4dd3-4373-b431-471fb67487ed.pdf).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ZoCbh.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/ZoCbh.png) *Image courtesy Home Depot*

It's available at hardware stores, and package sizes include relatively small quantities that will go a long way if you're just using it for jewelry. You can mix it to a soupy consistency and make extremely detailed castings (if the mold is very smooth, the result will look polished and shiny, like polished stone).

The filler is very fine silica, and the binder is CSA cement rather than Portland cement. CSA cement is superior to Portland cement in that it is stronger, doesn't shrink, reaches full strength faster, etc.

You don't need to add anything to these cement mixes for strength, they will be plenty strong for jewelry purposes. There are dyes you can add for a desired color. Concrete is porous and can absorb stains if it's handled a lot. You can seal the surface with a sealant designed for countertops, coat it with resin, or just spray it with a clear finish. Cement can be brittle, so dropping it on a hard surface could chip or crack it. Coating it with resin or a clear finish would provide additional protection against that.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you for the detailed response.   I apologize. I guess I use the term 'concrete' very loosely. Your post taught me a few things.  I've recently purchased a bag of [Quikrete Non-Shrink Precision Grout](https://www.quikrete.com/productlines/nonshrinkprecisiongrout.asp). This looks similar to the one you recommended.   I'll give a CSA cement a try, too.   When you suggest coating it with resin... I can mix and just brush it on the piece, right? But, won't that gloss the piece? I don't want it glossed.  
> **username_2**: @JaredNewnam, I have no experience with that grout.  If you already own it, give it a try.  You can probably buy CSA cement by itself but for casting purposes, you want a mix with fine sand, so I would just buy the Cement All, or research another mix with coarser sand if you prefer a grainier surface.  re: resin -- I was thinking dipping or brushing, but if you don't want a glossy finish, you could spray with a flat clear coating.  A thin coating will seal the cement so it doesn't absorb stains.  A thick coating will provide a little protection against chipping or cracking if it's dropped.  

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