1. In my experience one should NEVER put shells in a microwave, especially bivalves and especially anything with a loose lamellar structure, such as Spondulus, Pteria or other Ostreoids. Trapped water within the shell structure can cause them to split or explode.
2. If the glue won't shift with water, soak them in Acetone or Toluene, both of which are sold at paint stores. These do not harm shells at all, but will dissolve many glues.
Paul Callomon
Collection Manager, Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
[log in to unmask] Tel 215-405-5096 - Fax 215-299-1170
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2014 11:23 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] Question on purchasing bivalvia from dealers
Dear Paul,
Yes, this is the bane of many of us who purchase bivalves. Some dealers don't glue the valves and I am eternally grateful to them.
Here is what I have found out from experience. Most dealers seem to use water soluble glues. I will soak glued bivalves for 24-48 hours. If only a small dab of glue was used, the shells will often just 'pop' open. If a more substantial dollop of glue was used, it may take awhile for it to loosen. Most bivalves will have a slight gape and I will sometimes use a feeler gauge to help open the valves after they have soaked. There are often a few blades on the feeler gauge which are just a bit stiffer than a few sheets of aluminum foil. I can often slip this between the valves and help pry them open. I collect Pectinidae and the tough part is when the whole hinge and the distal disc are glued :-( These sometimes require several days of soaking.
I also have an insulin syringe and will inject water into the glued valves. Insulin syringes have very thin needles. If you just throw them in a bowl of water often they will just float. Getting them to submerge and have water everywhere, I believe will speed up the process.
I have thought about trying to microwave for 5-15 seconds to see if this will loosen the glue. I have not conducted this experiment. Wonder if others have?
And after all of this, yes, there are some bivalves in my collection that are still glued shut. These might oen up if I use an organic solvent such as acetone or mineral spirits, however, not sure what effect these might have on pigments.
Hope this helps.
> Greetings list,
> I am a long time shell collector, Conch-L "lurker" and first
> time poster, I am amazed at the knowledge and camaraderie of the
> folks on Conch-L and have learned a lot from everyone. Thank you all
> so much. I am also a longtime friend of Conch-Ler Harry Lee who I
> have considered my shell collecting "hero" for many years now.
> Although I lack the credentials of many folks on here, I think I can
> can match passion for shells and shell collecting with anyone...;o).
> Which brings me to a question I thought I would pose to the list to
> see if anyone had encountered this before.
> I've noticed for a while now that upon purchasing bivalves of
> all types from dealers (especially online or by mail order) that the
> shells arrive with both valves sealed together by what I presume is
> some type of glue. Some come tied together by thread or very thin
> string as well. I realize this practice is probably intended to keep
> both valves of the shells together in shipping and transporting, which I can understand.
> The problem is that I prefer to display bivalves in "opened out"
> orientation so that both valves are visible at the same time. This is
> hard to do if the two valves are sealed together by glue or some other
> bonding substance - only one valve can be seen at a time.
> Is there any way to safely separate these shells again once they
> have been sealed together in this way or am I left with them this way
> for good?
> Has anyone noticed or dealt with this "dilemma" before? Thank you in
> advance!
>
> Happy shelling to all, Paul Jones in St. Augustine, Florida
>
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Regards,
Charlie
.................................................
Charlie Sturm
Treasurer
American Malacological Society
Research Associate - Section of Mollusks Carnegie Museum of Natural History Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Associate Professor - Family Medicine
Fellow-American Academy of Family Practice Fellow-Academy of Wilderness Medicine
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