[Rockhounds] Glue Removal...

[magnet]

Hi all

I have recently acquired a specimen which on close inspection, shows that at some time, it has been glued onto something. Now normally, I wouldn't particularly worry about it. Who really cares if the base of your specimen has some glue on it? Nobody really looks at the base.

However, this recent addition is different. It is a specimen of crystalline native silver. Matrix-free. You don't notice the glue until you look at the specimen under magnification. Without this, it looks a bit like quartz or calcite or something similar.

I am currently soaking the specimen in warm water. I pulled it out after about 15 minutes but couldn't see any change. It does appear a bit more pliable though. I can prise of bits carefully with a needle.

So to my questions...
1. How long will water-soluble glue take to go (or does it just change consistency)? This glue may have been there for more than 20 years.
2. What do I do if I can't remove it with water? This is a nice specimen and particularly important because of where it is from (New Zealand where silver is very rare). I don't think that I would like to try acetone or something like that, in case it affects the silver.

Any suggestions?

BTW - I will post another email to let you know how I go after having soaked it for longer...

Regards
Steve

Check out Steve's Spot at http://crocoite.blogspot.com/