Paul,

I will second the recommendations of Paul and Tom with a minor modification. I have had little success with warm water (though I'm not sure why, the chemist in me says it should work better than cold water). I just leave the shells in cold tap water overnight and generally by the next day the glue has softened enough to pry the valves apart.

I have had the need to pry some fragile Pectinidae apart. After soaking I take a laboratory spatula (thin, long, flat metal instrument) and work it into the gap between the valves and then slowly pry the valves apart. If there is too much resistance, back in the water they go for another 12-24 hours.

To date, I have not dealt with a dealer that has used anything other than a water soluble glue.

Charlie

--- Begin Orginal Message ---
From: "Paul Kanner" <[log in to unmask]>
To:   <[log in to unmask]>
CC:
Date: 1/9/2005 12:51:14 PM

I have several bivalve specimens obtained from dealers on trips to the Philippines that have there hinges cemented with white glue. Does anyone know what softens or removes this glue?  I would like to be able to examine the insides but I'm afraid of damaging the specimens.

Paul Kanner

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