Help Please re: Removing AB Coating on Beads

[blue__nile]

Hi everyone..hope someone can help me.

I've inherited a 3 strand, broken, vintage necklace (dating from the 50s/60s) made up of crystal (swarowski?) beads which I think have an AB coating on them.

Unfortunately the coating on the beads has worn away on a lot of the facets. What's left of the coating makes the bead seem dark or looks like they have bits all over them.

It seems a shame not to use these beads so I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to dissolve the coating?

I've tried nail polish remover, meths, white spirit and trying to scrape it off with a craft knife with little success.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks for reading this.

[mizgeorge]

If you've got access to a tumbler that seems to do the job pretty efficiently (as discovered by a lot of people who didn't want to remove their AB coating!)

[blue__nile]

Unfortunately I have no access to a tumbler and having looked at what they cost I think the beads might have to be thrown away.

Thanks for your advice

[ldw]

Unfortunately I have no access to a tumbler and having looked at what they cost I think the beads might have to be thrown away.

Thanks for your advice

Nooooooooooo! Don't throw them away, if you don't know anyone with access to a tumbler then maybe someone on here will do it for you if you pay for postage and any costs incurred?? I'd offer myself if I had one. I hate to think of beads being thrown away

[blue__nile]

Hi...I thought I would let you know that I've had success removing the AB coating. I began thinking outside the box after reading 'mizgeorge's' suggestion and came up with an idea.

I soaked some of the beads in jewellery cleaner most of the day and then used a brillo pad and to my surprise it worked! There was a little bit of residue but the craft knife sorted that out. I was very careful so no scratches.
So no need to throw the beads away and I have some lovely beads to work with (albeit it will take a bit of work).

Hope my solution will be of some use to someone else.