Unglueing Pearls Archives?

Hi All

I could have sworn that I saw a thread on ungluing pearls not so long
ago, but do you think I can find it in the archives? Is there anyone
out there who recalls this and what it may have been called? I have
searched all kinds of combinations.

Thanks in advance.
Christel van der Laan

Hello Cristel, The easiest method to remove a glued on pearl is to
heat the base of the metal pearl cup with a low temp soldering iron.
This will melt the glue and allow the pearl to be pulled off the
post. DO NOT touch the soldering iron to the pearl or use any form
of fire as this might damage the pearl.

Hope this helps, Judy in Kansas, where July temps are truely here!

Christel; I use Attack , a commercial solution designed to disolve
glues such as epoxy. This requires soaking overnight and sometimes
as much as three days. Be very careful of skin contact and vapors as
it is toxic.Attack is available at most jewelry suppliers. The other
means of removal is to gently heat the metal parts of the piece away
from the pearl. The heat gradually softens the glue and the pearl
can be removed. This technique takes some practice so as not to heat
up the pearl so be careful if this is your choice. Frank Goss

The product is called Attack and you soak the jewelry item in it,
the pearl comes unglued. You have to put the jewelry in a closed
container when you soak it – the Attack evaporates quickly.

Elaine Luther
Chicago area, Illinois, USA
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
Studio 925; established 1992
@E_Luther