[Jewelry making - Article 01504] - Re: [Orchid] Removing epoxy from natural opal cab

[Anthony Lloyd-Rees]

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    Hello Wayne, For the most part I agree with you wholeheartedly. I
    don't believe the opal in the situation that caused this thread is in
    any jeopardy from the solvent suggestions, however this is not always
    the case. When epoxy is subjected to a solvent it expands and if the
    opal is held by the jewellery item in a manner that restricts the
    movement of the stone during that expansion, it will crack the opal.I
    do considerably more opal inlay than I ever wanted to and have
    repaired countless pieces. Soaking a multi-inlayed piece in Acetone
    or Attack in order to replace the damaged sections will often destroy
    the undamaged sections as the epoxy expands unevenly.Also triplets
    that are separating rarely survive this treatment as the epoxy almost
    never releases evenly. Doublets will fare better but I would never
    guarantee the success. I do know that NO natural opal I have soaked
    in solvent has been changed in any way or been damaged by such
    treatment other than the mechanical damage mentioned. This includes
    Sugar opal, Boulder opal, Yahweh nuts, Hydrophane and catseye opal.
    There is a lot of rubbish and nonsense believed about opal porosity
    and water content in spite of the Australian government's Dept of
    Mines pamphlets and myth dispelling publications. 

Tony.Anthony Lloyd-Rees. 
www.OpalsInTheBag.com
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