I used nail polish remover on My Grandmothers Pearl!

[Frost Me]

On purpose of course! My grandmother wore this beautiful pearl drop everyday until she gave it to me in the 80's. It's has a 10K pendant mounting and was purchased in a Rothchilds in OKC 1960. She always thought is was a real cultured pearl. Today, looking at the peeling luster, pin pricks, cracks and oil slick orient?hmmm, this is not a freshwater. So nail polish away and cotton, took off the lovely gummy golden faux surface and revealed the glass/shell bead. Glass pearls in the late 50's? Well, I guess after some research, yes there was (always learning).

My point is I would like to salvage and reuse the pendant mounting. Is this possible, possible for me to remove myself?

 

[pattye]

Frost Me,

Yes, you can be successful removing the bead to reuse the mounting, great idea! Here's a discussion of removal/kinds of glues that you will find helpful.

The idea is to soak the pendant in very hot water over a period of time. Probably there is a pin going down into the bead, so with gentle wiggling you can decide if it is getting loose. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Frost Me]

Thank you so much Pattye, I knew a Pearl Queen would know. I really appreciate it. Edit: the mounting is 12k so I feel it's worth a makeover with a real pearl!

 

[Frost Me]

WOW, what a great thread! Thanks again Pattye!

 

[Frost Me]

That was too fast. I boiled water in a glass in microwave, placed glass pearl in water. Waited for a bit, then gently twisted it off!

 

[pattye]

Great work, looks amazing, Frost Me! Your Grandmother would be proud of you! A very pretty pendant bail~what kind of pearl have you in mind for the replacement?

 

[Katbran]

I'd pop a nice inexpensive bail on that and use it as a charm.. a little bit o' grammy !

 

[pearlescence]

Make sure you get off any remaining glue and gunk otherwise new glue will not stick.

 

[GemGeek]

I had a good laugh yesterday, because by the time I saw the post, you had already taken it off. This forum is full of great advice from our talented members!