setting pearls

[Geoff]

hello everyone,
I am looking to set a pearl and have read that the quick drying epoxy is not entirely suitable because it is not 100% waterproof, and the 24 hour drying epoxy is the one to get. Can anyone advise me on what they use and where to get it please? ( I only need a small amount)
Thanks all, Geoff

[Dennis]

Cookson have a good selection as do hardware shops, stationers, some supermarkets and of course Amazon.

If you are glueing onto a spike and cup, the pearl will be very secure and even rapid setting water resistant adhesive will do.

The advantage is that you can hold the pearl in place for as long as it takes when back pressure due to trapped air might cause it to drift off.

Some members swear by gel superglue, so there is a huge and confusing choice, but the result will be much the same. Dennis

[Geoff]

thanks Dennis, you're a star,
all the best,
Geoff

[CJ57]

I think Wendy/pearlessence will tell you she only uses superglue if I remember rightly

[pearlescence]

Hi, yes CJ, but it is gel superglue. Much more controllable and less likely to glue your finger to your nose by mistake. We used to use epoxy (tried most sorts) as the perceived correct adhesive but a number of failures prompted a change and we have used gel superglue for years now without a failure. Plus it has a release liquid so easy to remove the pearl if you want to change it for any reason. I would never revert to epoxy.
Use only a tiny amount. About half what you think you should use.

[Geoff]

thanks everyone for your help, gel super glue it is,
all the best
Geoff

[Geoff]

thanks everyone for your help, gel super glue it is,
all the best
Geoff

[pearlescence]

Happy to help - any further pearly info, just shout.

[copperkowhai]

Hi Geoff. I work for a pearl supplier in NZ. We also import pearl findings and make up the jewellery to supply to retail stores here. We use 2 part UHU glue and leave it to dry for 24 hours. We have tried several glues over the years and found UHU to be the best by far. Good luck.


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[Dennis]

Two part UHU is an epoxi, similar to others mentioned above.
My recent experiments have proved to my satisfaction, that when small 2mm pearls were stuck into pits in a copper sheet, with so called 2Ton epoxi and gel superglue, the gel superglue was by far the stronger.
Once a post is introduced, though the choice of glue becomes less relevant. Dennis.

[pearlescence]

Copperkowhai - try gel superglue. You won't go back to UKU (and can we talk about pearls and pearl supplying?)

[Gemmmy67?]

Hi late to the thread.

I have an 8mm south sea pearl with. 0.05 drill holes all way through. Any suggestions on settings.

[Dennis]

This deserves a new thread really, but here goes.
I would re-drill the pearls to accept 1.00mm wire and using a prong and a cup, glue the pearl on as discussed above and then cut any protruding wire off flush.
Alternatively use 1.00mm tubing in the same way, but glue a piece of balled 0.50mm wire into the end to finish it. Dennis.

[pearlescence]

What do you want to make?
Advice will vary accordingly
Are you sure it is real - 8mm is small for a south sea pearl and I am wondering why it is full drilled .05mm which is almost impossibly small (most farmed pearls are drilled 0.7mm)

[Dennis]

I took it to mean .05cm Wendy. Regards, Dennis.