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CHAP. CCXLIX. To make Counterfeit Pearl, very like the Natural.
THIS Receipt for making Counterfeit Pearl has a much more fine and solid effect than any now a-days in use.
Take Chalk well purified, and separated from its grossness and Sand, make Paste thereof, and so mould it up like Pearl in a Mould for that purpose; pierce these through with a Bristle, and let them after∣wards dry before the Sun, or for more dispatch in an Oven, till they receive a just hardness; then string them on a very fine Thread of Silver, colour them over lightly with Bole-Armoniack, diluted in water of VVhites of Eggs, then drench them with a Pencil and Fair water, and so apply Leaf-Silver all over, and let them dry; this done, burnish them with a VVolf's Tooth, till they shine very finely.
To give them the true Colour of Pearl, make a Glue of Parchment, or rather Vellom Shavings; thus Wash the Shavings in warm Water very well, and boil them after in a new Pot to a thickness, and strain this Glew.
When you use this Glue, you must warm it on •• flat Vessel, then dip the string of Pearl therein, so as not to fill the interval Inches between each Pearl but that every one may be done all over equally; a••∣ter this let them dry; if you observe any Baulk, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Defect on them, you may dip them in a second time•• thus they'll assume a finer and more transparen•• Whiteness, and will have a certain Darkness within and Lustre on the outside, which compleats and