I saw someone post a bleaching akoyas photo. Just wondering if it would be possible to do that with very yellowed vintage pearls? I know they polish with walnut shells after. I happen to have walnut polishing shells & a polisher. Would bleaching work? What is the strength of the peroxide? Is it the same idea as bleaching your hair?
Bleaching Vintage Akoyas?
- Thread starter A Breaker
- Start date
ennui
Well-known member
So ... walnut shells will be abrasive. You will be removing nacre, and Akoya pearl nacre tends to be relatively thin. In the original polishing, walnut shell bath is used to remove oyster residue, but you're way past that.
I'm wondering ... why would you want to do this? I think vintage Akoya are lovely.
I'm wondering ... why would you want to do this? I think vintage Akoya are lovely.
CortezPearls
PG Forum Admin
Even exposing your pearls to direct sunlight will help bleach them...but just make sure they do not warm up nor dehydrate!
I would enjoy them as they are! We age, we get wrinkles...a fact of life...some pearls will change color...but they still live & love!
I would enjoy them as they are! We age, we get wrinkles...a fact of life...some pearls will change color...but they still live & love!
ennui
Well-known member
Akoyas do come in golden shades. Maybe your pearls aren't supposed to be white?
I guess I am wondering if hair peroxide 3% is what is used. (It is slightly drying on my hair, but wonder the drying on pearls) Instead of the lower % of wound cleaning? I do hate to ruin strands...but it is only 1 strand and I have enough to risk 1 strand. More thoughts on the peroxide drying?
CortezPearls
PG Forum Admin
Peroxide is mostly water...once it dries...it dries! No residue at all.
Should be good...try it an let us know!
Should be good...try it an let us know!
