Paul says, "Some collectors feel that this has an adverse effect on some shells,
especially pearly and highly glossy ones".
While again I have to say I don't know much about shells, minerals like opal
have that look because of water contained within their cell structure, and they
lose their colour and lustre if the water comes out.  In fact, lapidary opal is
stored in water.  It could be that shells with a pearly interior also have water
in their structure.  Does anyone know if this is true?

Nora
Calgary, Alberta

"Monfils, Paul" wrote:

> Acetone (fingernail polish remover) is a good general solvent, but like any
> solvent, there are some things it won't dissolve.  It dissolves some
> plastics and waxes, but others will not dissolve in it.  It mixes with some
> oils, but not very well with mineral oil.  Like alcohol, it mixes readily
> with both water and hydrocarbons (even though water and hydrocarbons won't
> mix with each other).  There is some disagreement about whether acetone is
> safe to use on shells.  It will not attack the actual substance of the
> shell, however it has an very strong affinity for water and will literally
> suck the water molecules out of anything you put in it (including your
> skin).  Some collectors feel that this has an adverse effect on some shells,
> especially pearly and highly glossy ones.  I have not used it on shells, so
> I don't know.  Acetone is extremely flammable (about the same as gasoline)
> and volatile, can be absorbed through your skin, and the vapors are harmful
> to breathe.  There is no great danger in using a little bottle of nail
> polish remover, but a bucket of acetone is very hazardous, and a good thing
> to stay away from.  Most materials that can be dissolved in acetone can also
> be dissolved in safer solvents.  One exception is lacquers - which is why
> such a potentially hazardous chemical is still sold as fingernail polish
> remover.
> Paul M.