best way to remove pearls set in araldite

[Unhindered]

I have before gently heated with success but its not always worth the risk! Is there anything I can soak it in to ease out?

[Dennis]

The risk of using chemical solvents is far greater.

I have done it occasionally for a repair, when it was of my own making. Keep hold of the pearl with a wet tissue, and keep the metal under tension with tweezers.

Heat the metal gently with a small bushy flame of the mini-torch until the two part company. Most of the glue comes out on the metal spike, so the hole in the pearl just needs a gentle drilling.

Do it in semi darkness, so that you can be sure the flame does not touch the pearl. Be sure to keep hold, or one part will fly away.

Oh and let us know how you got on. Dennis.

[ps_bond]

Laser. Use a low power setting to get heat in underneath the pearl pin, just enough to soften the adhesive. No flame spill, no overheating.
I don't know that a PUK can do this, but the laser definitely can. Whether it's worth it is another matter.

[pearlescence]

Noooooooooooooooo
the easiest and most successful way is to get to a hardware shop which stocks it and get a bottle of the liquid which releases superglue. It will work on araldite type glues too but takes longer.Useful stuff to have around, and next time use gel superglue to set the pearl. Then removing takes seconds with the liquid
Do not twist the pearl while you are trying to remove it as you will simply break the pin.
Be sure to remove all traces of the old glue from the pin, the item and from inside the pearl before re-setting. A (old and blunt) 0.7 drill bit will clean out the drill hole in the pearl

[ps_bond]

Yeeeeeees :)

Zappy lightshow beats nasty VOCs :D

Although if someone's used peg & wedge to secure it none of the above are going to help you.

[china]

I have friend in Over your part of the world who assures me that a product called "Nitromors" will break the bond it is apparently paint stripper, I have no Idea what it would do to the pearl

[ps_bond]

Dichloromethane. Vile stuff.

(Added - OK, so it hasn't been in the formulation since 2011 - which perhaps shows it's been a while since I last used the stuff...)

[pearlescence]

Why use an unknown when a known will work, China?
If someone's used a peg with a wedge it may be the only way to remove it is to break it off at the peg base, drill out the peg and make a new peg.
Is the pearl worth it?
If it is a cultured freshwater or even a low quality Tahitian or akoya (more than five years old) the answer is probably no. I can probably supply a new and better (other pearl suppliers also exist)

[china]

I was not advocating it's use I was just passing on a suggestion, Personally I would most likely remake the item

[Unhindered]

to give you a better idea its a pair of handmade earrings in 18ct white gold with a ruby & diamond cluster and a pearl drop hanging from them, the pearls are quite large, the job was given to a setter and he was advised to glue the pearls to finish it off but has done so with the worst areas of the pearls on show at the front (pits etc) they were trying to save time as i was off for a few days but are unhappy with it hence wanting to try again! The pegs don't have wedges :)

[Unhindered]

we don't have a laser unfortunately :(

[pearlescence]

Just get the superglue release liquid. We glue/set pearls all day every day here. And bless the release liquid every few days.
Then take the epoxy away and use gel superglue in future
And finally send the person who set the pearls backwards to specsavers

[Unhindered]

thanks everyone! just done it, i soaked in warm water and fairy liquid for a while and then tried gently heating, i was being too cautious i think but then just tugged at it and it came off! the other came away without any attempt of heat so i think the soaking did the job :) maybe he glued them on poorly too! haha

[china]

That's good to hear all worked out without too much fuss

[caroleallen]

Though for the future, I would always defer to Wendy as she does do exceedingly good pearls.

[pearlescence]

Thanks Carol <blush>