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Adhesives, Paints, and Varnishes: Armenian

CEMENT Armenian or Diamond Cement.- Dissolve to the consistency of thin cream 6 lumps of gum mastic, each about the size of a large pea or about dram each, in 3 drams of 95 per cent alcohol. Fill a 2-ounce vial loosely with isinglass broken in small pieces and cover with water. When the isinglass is slightly softened, pour off the water, cover with French brandy, and add two small lumps (10 grains) of gum ammoniacum powdered and dissolved in as little alcohol as possible. Mix the two solutions and dissolve with gentle heat in a double boiler. Keep in a glass bottle closely stoppered, and when required for use set the bottle in boiling water.

This celebrated adhesive has been used from time immemorial by the jewelers of Turkey, who are mostly Armenians. The formula was brought to England by a former British consul, and this preparation has been widely used with uniformly good results. It is employed in the Orient to ornament watch cases and other jewelry with diamonds and other ADHESIVES, PAINTS, AND VARNISHES precious stones by simply gluing or cementing them on. The stone is set in silver or gold, the lower part of the setting being shaped to correspond with the part to which it is to be fixed. The parts are then warmed slightly, the glue is applied, and the parts thus cemented never separate.

This cement will unite polished steel with other metals or with glass. It is suitable for the finest work, and may be regarded as absolutely reliable. So-called Armenian cement as commonly found on the market is an inferior preparation and is usually sold at an exorbitant price.

Other proportions recommended for Armenian cement are as follows: isinglass, 1 ounce; acetic acid, 1 ounce; water, 5 ounces; alcohol, 2 ounces; gum ammoniacum, ounce; gum mastic, ounce. Mix and dissolve with gentle heat. Or dissolve 1 ounce of isinglass in 6 ounces of water, and boil down to 3 ounces. Add 14 ounces of 95 per cent alcohol, boil two minutes, strain through silk, and add while hot + ounce of milky emulsion of ammoniacum and 5 drams of tincture of gum mastic. Where instructions are carefully followed, this is a perfect cement.

Resin Cement. - A class of cements having valuable waterproof qualities is made of the gums amber, mastic, rosin, shellac, etc., dissolved in spirits or other solvents, and often combined for various purposes with other adhesives or solids, as plaster of Paris, clay, iron filings, etc. Beeswax is often combined with these resins to soften them and prevent excessive brittleness.