[Orangetree]

I know it sounds silly... pardon me for asking

does heat damage pearls? if so, how hot would it have to be before heat damages the pearls? what kind of damage would it cause?

[Caitlin]

Interesting question. I have never seen anything about the effects heat has on pearls.

You could take a strand of freshwater bead shop pearls and experiment. Some into boiling water, some in the oven at high bake and low bake. Some in the microwave.

Of course that won't tell you much about PPB's.
As far as they are concerned, I am sure that enough heat and the skins will crack to the bead. Faster for cheapo akoyas, less fast for the thick skin ones....... faster for dry heat, less fast for boiling......

[Valeria101]

Never done to pearls anything I would not do to my own fingers ... which must be too conservative.

Obviously, some folks close those bezels around pearls somehow, and that likely involves more heat...




I have not fried any nucleated pearl so far, but the freshwater ones exposed to a hot plate... get chalky fast, then layers of scorched nacre peel away as the area exposed to heat gets charred... then the whole pearl just turns into powdery charcoal. Do not try it if you have any feelings for pearls!

[Caitlin]

That is a dreadful description! I will always try to avoid heat and it is good to have the answer to this question on record.

Freshwaters do seem to be able to handle a little heat, such as when melting a knot with a lighter or a thread zapper. I take care to avoid getting the instrument or the flame on the pearl itself though.

[john675]

There is a story in the Tiffany Pearls book (sorry, I don't have the book with me right now to give you the exact reference) about a man who discovered a natural freshwater pearl in the US during the Tiffany fresh water pearl frenzy in the early 1900s. It was apparently huge, but discovered too late in mussel that was "cooked up" in oil for his dinner. The hot oil destroyed the pearl's surface, making it valueless.The horror!
John

[Orangetree]

thanks alot for all the replies!

I asked the question because I was wondering whether it is safe to heat a stringing thread (used to string the pearls) with the pearl being so close to the knot itself. I think I would not, to play safe.

[barbie biggs]

Haven't ever gotten a pearl close to a flame, or left any in the car for any reason, thank goodness. Probably might have when I was a kid but didn't have any. On the flip side however, my husband bought me black pearls from PP for Christmas and they were delivered to the right house but the wrong street. Since I live in Oregon and the lady of the house was on vacation this means the pearls froze and thawed, froze and thawed for two weeks.
My wonderful neighbor returned the pearls when she came home,(she's 82 and scrupulously honest), and I called PP. Natalie checked with Jeremy and he says cold doesn't bother them. It's true too. The pearls, my first akoya strand, is lustrous, and glossy. If it had been summer I would have just died. I searched this forum for days hoping to find something about cold weather but didn't so hope you all don't mind me adding this while we're talking about pearls and temperature.

Now if I could just figure out how to start a post when I need to.....

[GemGeek]

How wonderful that your pearls made it to you despite the wrong delivery and terrible weather. They must have wanted to get home to Mama!

[knotty panda]

Originally Posted by Orangetree

I asked the question because I was wondering whether it is safe to heat a stringing thread (used to string the pearls) with the pearl being so close to the knot itself. I think I would not, to play safe.

Orange: When restringing you can use flame/heat to cut the silk. It cauterizes the silk and prevents it from fraying. There is a product, called the Perfect End, which is a thread burner. Even if you touch the pearl with the hot end, the pearl does not burn. I've never used a lighter, but I think pearls must have a rather high flash point and the short burst of flame on the thread shouldn't bother the pearl at all. Take a look at the Lowly Beader's Forum for more information.

[Sueki]

Hi Knotty,
Heat - now there's an idea next time I get something stuck down a drill hole......... ....

[knotty panda]

You did heat alright! I have no idea how you ever got the nerve! Sueki the Courageous!

[Orangetree]

thanks for all the replies. much appreciated!
I've managed to restring my pearls a few days back.
will post the pics soon