Setting pearls

[allyclaret]

Morning all.

Looking for a little advice. I'm looking to set some pearls and have tried in the past without success. What adhesive would you recommend? I have been roughing up the post and tried araldite. I've also tried pearl cement but it has set before I've had time to adhere it to the post!

Any advice would be appreciated
Ally

[Dennis]

There should be no problem with Araldite mixed thoroughly but except for tiny pearls, you need a cup too. This is just a domed disk, small enough not to show from on top.

For studs, the rest of the post passes through the cup to act as an ear post on the other side.

The adhesive is fed into the half drilled pearl with a saw blade or pin and the pearl held in place until any trapped air has escaped, because that would push the pearl off again.

If you are very worried, you can notch or roughen the post slightly.

Normal Araldite takes about eight hours to harden, so because I am impatient, I buy rapid or 5minuten epoxi. Dennis.

[CJ57]

I'd agree with all Dennis has said and to get the air out of the hole I wiggle the saw blade in and out of the glue before I put whatever it is on the post, that usually releases the air. Rapid for me too, mixed correctly it should give you just enough time to do what's needed

[caroleallen]

That ring I referred to the other day came back. The post hadn't snapped but it appears that the glue failed. There is still some 5 min epoxy around the post and where it's attached to the ring so I don't think I can do any more soldering to it, or can I? I was hoping to be able to solder a little cup into it.

[Goldsmith]

Carol, if you can't get the epoxy off, put the ring without the pearl in some Nitromors paint stripper and the epoxy will soften and can be peeled off, if you left it overnight the glue will dissolve.

James

[caroleallen]

Thanks James, I'll try that

[caroleallen]

Sorry Caroline, I didn't spot your post. I'll try the Nitromors and if that doesn't work, I'll have a go with heating it.

[CJ57]

Can you not just burn off the remaining epoxy,you might have to take a brass brush to it if it leaves residue, pickle and then solder in a cup? Remember it'll get a bit smoky!