[Rockhounds] Glue Removal...

[Gail]

try vinegar.  works on just about anything with glue problems.  let it soak 
for awhile.  Just regular stuff
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "magnet" <magnet at crocoite.com>
To: "Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors" 
<rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 6:26 AM
Subject: [Rockhounds] Glue Removal...


> 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/
> -- 
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