Pearl attachment

Hello all!

What is the best way to affix a pearl to its staff?

Occasionally I have a pearl repair and the epoxy or whatever is
holding it on takes -eons- to desolve and let go in “Attack”.
Whatever this bonding agent is, I would like to use it.

Suggestions?

Stephen Bargsten
SBargsten@compuserve.com

What is the best way to affix a pearl to its staff?
Occasionally I have a pearl repair and the epoxy or whatever is
holding it on takes -eons- to desolve and let go in “Attack”.
Whatever this bonding agent is, I would like to use it.

Basically, I've come across three types of glue.

1. Pearl cement. A type of white shellac type of cement. This stuff

is strong and easily melted. I don’t know what solvents are good for it, but
I do know that cyanoacrylics won’t set up in their presence.

2. Cyanoacrylics. Crazy Glue. Super Glue. This stuff breaks down in

acetone. Attack doesn’t have much effect. Nail polish remover works well at
breaking this stuff down.

3. Epoxies. The only stuff that breaks epoxy down that I am aware of

is Attack.
All these glues will break down under heat. If one chooses not to
wait for the solvents to work, it is usually possible to heat the metal side
of the bond to break down the cement before burning the pearl. One must be
quick, however. This trick is not for the weak of heart.
Ever since I started working in this trade there has been a rumor
that the best jewelers in the world use a tube instead of a post to glue the
pearl onto. Legend has it that a taped pin is jammed into the tube when the
pearl is installed. The story goes that this causes the tube to expand and
thus one has a more securely set pearl. In twenty six years I haven’t seen a
piece of jewelery where this was done.

http://www.knight-hub.com/manmtndense/bhh3.htm
e-mail: @Bruce_Holmgrain
snail mail: POB 7072, McLean, VA 22106-7972, U.S.A.

What is the best way to affix a pearl to its staff?
Suggestions?

Not sure what anyone else uses, but I was taught to use 5-minute
epoxy. I did order some “pearl cement” from a company once and
they sent me super-glue. I never ordered from them again, but I
assume that there are lots of people using that. I don’t remember
why, but I know I was told not to use superglue (maybe because it
doesn’t dissolve quickly in Attack?).

Sharon

Dear Stephen,

Everybody that I know simply uses standard superglue or Krazy
glue for smaller work like earstuds, rings etc. If you make sure
that a sufficient amount of the glue is actually in the hole,
there are rarely problems. To accomplish this, simply dip the
post in a small pool of glue and insert it into the pearl hole a
few times before the final set. Your should have about thirty
seconds to do this. Many people, however, favor epoxy when they
require time to adjust the pearl after it’s been set.

William
Luma Group, Inc. Tel: (212)391.3999
21 W 47th St 6/F Fax: (212)391.0090
New York, NY 10036 Email: @William_Hochstedler

Sharon

I’ve always used 5 minute epoxy too- seems to work well.

Rick Hamilton