Hello, Could anyone tell me how they remove cultured pearls from
jewelry? We are currently using matches to melt the glue but it often
wrecks the jewelry or scorches the pearl.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Mary Martin
Vantel Pearls in the Oyster.
Hello Mary,
I don't use any open flame around pearls. A simple soldering iron
(like found at Radio Shack) can be heated and touched to the metal
base behind the pearl for a few seconds. If the pearl cannot be
pulled off, just hold the iron to the base for a little longer.
Never contact the pearl with anything hot.
If you're dealing with costume (pot metal) jewelry, you may find
the metal base melting with exposure to the soldering iron. Hope
this helps, Judy in Kansas
Mary, To remove a pearl, buy a small soldering iron. Hold the piece
in a third hand or some such and heat the metal (not the pearl) with
the iron while gently pulling on the pearl with your fingers. The
pearl will get warm but the cement will let go before it gets hot
enough to scorch it. Jerry in Kodiak
In my own work, I use a 2 part epoxy, which will release in hot tap
water. I haven’t had to use any process more drastic, thus far. Maybe
I am just lucky… Susan Ronan in very humid Coronado, CA
Usually , soaking in acetone does the job, without harming the
pearls. Be very careful tho, acetone is HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.It also
evaporates extremely quick into the air.,so cover itup.Ed
Hello Mary When I was working pearl wholesaler in New York, they put
into acetone. Now we put into hot water in Japan or we boil for
hardly stuck one. Usually pearl is removed from Jewelry. Yasu Matsuda
in very humid rain season Kobe, Japan
KOBE PRECIOUS PEARL & CO., LTD.
e-mail: @kobe-precious-pearl
Usually , soaking in acetone does the job, without harming the pearls. Be very careful tho, acetone is HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.
Also, Attack, (flammable too) works well on pearl removable, and is
very safe for them. Using a soldering iron or very small flame,
(quickly) releases the glue. Thomas