I have had metallics scratch off with sanded grout.

You could use unsanded grout but then your interstices would have to be 1/8" or less.

I've never found anything that protects those metallics from grout.

Would a sealer protect them? Like hobby paint sealer for outdoors, or a varnish? nail polish?

Thanks Calamity, that was going to be my next question. Has any one tried spraying acrylic spray on them before grouting? I think it might stick long enought to grout?

My guess is that if the sanded grout sands off metallic glaze, it will sand off any sealer applied.

But it's a guess. You could try a test piece and let us know the results.

someone here used a glue mask over the gold and it worked great. I do it on filigree jewelry to keep the grout out, why wouldn't it work?

Sounds like an idea, so what is a glue mask?

I use weldbond or any white glue to coat the tesserae but only what will be exposed after grouting. (don't get the glue below the level of the grout) That's really important on 3d items, but on plates not so much because you have a flat face. Just brush glue on with a paint brush and let it dry. Then after your grout is dry, peel the glue away. I know there's a tray here that a lurker showed us, and it worked perfectly for her.

as far as the curved plates, I think we need to see a pic to see how bad it will be, usually cutting curved pieces smaller will work but maybe not.

Yellow-Rose,

You have some good suggestions here. I use a lot of gold edged plates. I learned rght off the gold could be easily rubbed off. Now I am just careful and not scrub on the grout over the gold. Works fine if you are gentle with it. I might try some of these other ideas too. I also use a very dry grout and wipe with terry cloth towels not wet sponges. The excess grout comes off faster with out so much wiping.

Chris

Woops, I forgot the picture - here it is. Thanks for the suggestions. It's raised about 1' on the sides.
{{!gwi}}

Those are very pretty dishes. I hope you can save the gold on it, its beautiful.
Bianchi

OH Those are beautiful. I have or had a center like that and the gold edge. LOL OK Now I am looking into my Secretery and I have one of the smaller lunch plates that is the same. I KNOW how pretty they are. I could not cut mine up unless I just HAVE to. LOL

On mine the most of the curve is in the lighter gold towards the center. If you were doing a tray you might try to get that part to fit the outer curve of the tray. Not sure what your tray looks like. Or how many plates you have to work with.

I have also had good luck grinding off the foot on the plate making that part thinner then you can cut quite a bit out of the curve as mentioned by cutting the pieces smaller.

If I am trying to maintain the pattern I lay out the pieces as I hope they will fit and then clip them in place so I do not have to keep fitting the puzzle pieces back together.

I also number the pieces around the edges on the back side if I want the florals to match up. Makes it so much easier when I go to use the edges. Course this is only if you want your pattern to line up as it is on the plate. Mixing it up is great too.

Chris

Thank you for the detailed instructions Shades. I've worked strictly with stained glass and tile so I'm not sure about the china. But this will help. I don't really want to break it up either. But I have 2 old sets of dishes. To much to just keep storing it.

Rose, that seems a shame to cut up those grogeous plates. I guess if you have enough, then go for it. Are you sure they aren't worth something? I'd frame a dish like that. What a treasure!

at the risk of being banished to an island, from this comment....I'll say it anyway...
large set of dishes or not, that's one pattern that could someday be a treasure to someone, or more than one person..
I know, I know....this forum is all about mosaics and everything that encourages it but sometimes you may want to look at it in a different light.
that's one really nice set, or more than one set.... and although it's great to break them and make something new and different,
that set sure appears to be something to pass on or for at least another generation to have some love and respect for.

you can't replace history in some things...they can be duplicated, but never replaced. I'd so some research into the sets place of origin and history. that's no Fred Meyer or Target's everyday dishes.

I stand by this and you'd have to really shove me away from this forum, because otherwise and usually, I'm all over breaking dishes...

;(*_*);

Uh oh, I nearly teared up on SEA's response, and although I don't usually get sentimental over old dishes, and wouldn't hesitate to break those, if I found them in a thrift store, I'm inclined to agree w/her. YELLOW - do you have siblings that might want these precious memories of your mother? I don't think I could break them either. I'd find a way to display a few pieces of them, and store the rest in a treasure chest of memories of your momma.

nah... who says you don't pass them along as treasures and the next owner doesn't break them! LOL

I'm with seaglassic and slow on this one. Not only are those lovely and a family treasure, the workmanship on older pieces is FAR superior to modern pieces. Yes, I MIGHT break them, but only if I found them in a gs or ts (with a nick or two!!). If they were my mom's and if my children/grandchildren turned them down, I'd ask nieces and nephews, cousins, etc. If there weren't any takers in the family, I'd check the value and try donating them to an organization, museum, etc. in Mom's name.

All of that long-winded stuff being said, I may be the one nicethyme is referring to on the tray. All the saucers on it had thin gold rims. I used Alene's tacky glue to protect it and that worked well. Only trouble I ran into was I had brushed the glue a bit too far on the back side and had to go back over the tray several times finding bits of it sticking thru the grout. Had to dig those out and re-grout those places...too tedious for me to do again so I'll be more careful next time!

Pat

I guess I'm in trouble because half the dishes I use are antique,none from my own family tho.I buy whats pretty and don't think about the value of them in years to come.I won't be here and my kids are not into fine china so out the nippers come.

Slow, you're stronger than I am. I did tear up!! Seaglass, there isn't much family left. My nephew was going to give them to good will. I checked at a 2nd hand store, and was curtly told,"china isn't worth much". If you're interested I took some pictures of the top of my kitchen cabinets. The bottom one shows more of this set. And the bowls are in my hutch. I may do more research as they are beautiful. Without getting maudlin, I wish I had someone to give them to who would treasure them.
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

I'd treasure em, I promise! (wink)

send them to Nicethyme, VA... lol

Yellow-rose I know your feelings I have no one to pass my stuff onto either. They really are beautiful. I do not suppose you could use them and then if one breaks you can use it for mosaic?

I think I have the exact blue and white dishes you have. Could not see the center part and the picture is a bit far to be sure but I think it is the same pattern. I only have the dinner plates.

The plate I have like your gold ones is a souvenier plate with Nebraska or? written on it. I cut up all kinds of special plates. I am like Annie. I have probably cut up someones very special family set.

Chris

yep, those blue whites... Liberty plates, I cut them into charms! lol

I'd kill for that blue and pink floral on the end