How to re-set a pearl?

[snufflepig]

Hi again everyone!

I recently got a pendant that has a pearl on it, and in that pearl is a tiny tiny diamond. It's quite a pretty pendant, actually, except that the epoxy/cement/glue/whatever was used to set the pearl/diamond isn't... great. There's yellowish residue on the pearl from setting the diamond, and the pearl wasn't pushed very firmly into the setting, so I'm not convinced it's solid. I don't know what kind of pearl it is, but I've asked the person I bought it from (it's probably freshwater).

Does anyone know of a way to remove the epoxy without damaging the pearl, and what kind of material I should use to re-set it? Is there a colorless but reliable adhesive that I can use to stick the tiny diamond back into the pearl? I don't know why they put it there, but so it is, and I think it would be sort of neat if it was set properly.

Thanks!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

There is a solvent called Attack that does the job nicely without harming the pearl. Soak the pearl in it in a closed jar until the glue is dissolved. Avoid breathing fumes.
Different glues take different amounts of time; I've had to wait from overnight for one pearl to a week for another.

You can use a two-part colorless epoxy to glue the diamond back in.

 

[snufflepig]

My hero

Thank you!!!

Hope I get this right...

 

[Pearl Dreams]

If not you can always do it over...the Attack is reusable.
When applying the glue, try not to apply too much-- it squishes upward and out.

 

[snufflepig]

One more question that just ... became relevant.

The diamond is very very tiny, and when I get this yellowish stuff off, it will be very very clear.

I was thinking that I could possibly soak the pendant in the toe of a stocking, so the pieces will stay together? I wouldn't imagine that fishing around in the stuff with my fingers is a great idea.

I have no idea how they managed to get the pearl so far away from the base of the setting ha, it's like the person put a blob of adhesive, let it set, and then...tentatively put it down gently on top of the bubble...

The good news is, I get to learn to do it myself! I'll post a picture when it's done.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

That sounds like a good idea (assuming the solvent wouldn't dissolve the nylon?)

 

[snufflepig]

That's what I'm wondering. I could try soaking the stocking first and see what happens... this could turn into chemistry class really fast!

If the pearl can be re-set without the diamond and not look odd, I don't care if I lose it. Or it might be an excuse to find another pearl... HM...

And then my brain wanders off to the right color & type of pearl... honestly I think it would have worked better with a button pearl, but I only saw a front view on the listing.

Here are some pictures, sorry they're low quality but they do show the setting and the way the diamond was put in the front of the pearl.



The small stones are very pale peridot.

Any thoughts about what other sorts of pearls might go well would also be welcome -- I'm not thinking high quality, since I like the natural roughness of this sort of pearl with the old fashioned setting, but... color ideas? Should it be smaller? If I'm going to go to the trouble of resetting it I may as well set it with the pearl that would look best.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Just a thought: rather than using the stocking, just pour the Attack through a strainer to find the diamond, if you can't see it in the liquid.

 

[knotty panda]

Now isn't that pretty. Good luck!

 

[pattye]

It's a pretty pendant, love peridot. I've used attack successfully before. Always have to reread the directions and cautions again. The pearl has a nice luster and will look much better sitting down in the cup properly. Maybe the hole wasn't drilled far enough for the post to fit? You'll be able to tell once the glue is all off. Good luck catching the diamond!

You could go with a smaller "round" pearl. Lots of button pearls are quite flat on the back, so you'd need to have one in a shape that fits down on the post. I recently shopped for button pearls to fit in a "cup with post" cuff link findings for a guy.

 

[New Zealand Natural Pearl]

What you also could do for maximum glue results is to rough the silver inside the setting so that the glue gets a better grip. You can use the tip of a normal rasp if you don't have a drill. Another option is to part drill your pearl and attach a small silver pin to the setting +the glue (local jeweller should be able to do it). The white pearl looks stunning and I think the size is ok as well.

 

[CharmedOne]

I wonder if the diamond was put there to cover a hole. If that is the diamond on top.