Pearls to Dye For

the following is compiled from various postings by various authors to the list

To dye pearls — first, check to be sure that the nacre (the pearly coating) does not peel off. Try a nail file to remove some of the finish to double check.

Then, make up the solution to use for dyeing.

• One cup boiling water
• 2 teabags — I use Liptons as it has a lot of tannic acid to give it colour.
• One-quarter teaspoon of table salt.
• Mix 'til dissolved. This solution can be kept for a long time.
  • If you are just doing a few pieces, put them in a piece of cheese-cloth to ensure you get uniform colour.
• Run the pearls in the cheese-cloth under hot tap water and then place in the hot solution.
• Leave the pearls soaking for roughly 10 minutes.
• Take out the cheese cloth and run it under cool water. Open and have a look see if the pearls have started to turn colour. If they have, but are not dark enough, put them back in the solution and take out and check them every minute or two.
• Once they start to change colour they will darken very, very fast. When finished take out and rinse in cool water. Either let them dry on paper towel or dry with a warm hairdryer.
• For colours use a spot of food colouring and Imean a spot. Use a baby's medicine dropper.

I use lots and lots of freshwater pearls, and know that some of them are dyed — but I try to stay away from these. I prefer those that are heat treated. However, you can dye them successfully with Pearl Dye, which is available at Munro Crafts in Ferndale, MI - 248-544-1590. This dye works for fake pearls, freshwater pearls, as well as many of the fiber and plastic pearls. Really great — but be sure to follow the directions.

Seems to me you can dye any kind of pearls using this method. Also, ivory. This is quite a popular way of dying ivory to give it that "antique" look. Beware of using commercial dyes for different colors. I had used a black dye on faux pearls — they looked beautiful. However, I had them in the sun for a couple of hours at a show and the sun turned them a nice mauve color :) Not what I wanted, but the black dye proved to not be permanent. (Note to self: try using vinegar as a fixative -- the traditional mordant of dyers everywhere.)

Somewhat on the same track, since we're throwing out handy hints concerning pearls. My bead-stringing teacher showed us how to dye silk if you wanted a custom color, or don't have one that goes with the beads/pearls you have.

• Get a PERMANENT artist's colored marking pen (in art supply stores).
• Put a baggie on each of your hands (this is IMPORTANT too).
• While drawing the thread between your forefinger and thumb on one baggie-covered hand, press against the silk with the marker, coloring it. Make sure the color is soaked into the thread on all sides.
• Then hang the thread to dry, with a slight weight tied to it (keeps it from shriveling up).
• Don't use the silk for at least a day or two after!