[Jewelry making - Article 01103] - Re: [Orchid] Surface holes & crust in Amber

[Wayne Emery]

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Hi James!

    Here's a trick commonly used by specimen collectors and museum
    restoration folks: 

    Using thread or light fishing line, figure out a way to suspend the
    piece of amber from the string/line. Sometimes, a fish hook with the
    tip inside a bead hole is a good choice. 

    Suspend the piece from the top of any closable container, like a
    shoe box. I like to use a small mason jar. I punch a small hole in
    the flat lid, pass the thread through it and tie the thread to a
    pencil. Let the amber hang in space. Then place a small container
    (jar cap, etc.) inside the larger container. I just use the jar
    itself, but pour some ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol in the
    smaller container or jar. Don't use denatured alcohol. Most rubbing
    alcohol works fine. Close the container and place it in a warm room
    overnight. 

    The alcohol will dissolve the surface of the amber, fill small pits,
    and leave a perfectly smooth surface that appears polished. When you
    remove the piece, it's still tacky, so don't touch it. Just hang it
    somewhere for a half-hour to an hour and it will be dry and shiny.
    Pits gone! 

Best regards,
Wayne Emery
The Gemcutter

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