Removing rust from pearl scales

[Frank Niro]

I recently had three liner locking folders sent to me from a collector who was living in Costa Rica for an extended time . Some rust had formed between the pearl scales and the Damascus bolsters. In the past I was able to use a light cleaner to clean up some not so bad problems with ivory, but the pearl had for some reason really absorbed the rust and my first tries didn't do much. I did figure an acid dip of some sort would work but stuff like ferric chloride on testing with pearl scraps was way to strong and would eat at the pearl. I was talking about this at the dinner table and my son in law suggested trying liquid lemon juice. It turned out this worked like it was made for nothing more than to do this job.
I hope you never have something like this come back to your shop but if it does, I believe you will be pleased to see the results lemon juice can give you. Frank

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Good tip!
Thanks.