Swarovski square elements

[mamakin]

I am using Swarovski square elements as links in a necklace.  I tried it on for looks and noticed the elements are turning so that the backs sides with the foil are facing forward.  I looked them up in the products area of Rings and Things and noticed that some of the square elements say they have foil backings and some don't.  I am using the color "Sahara".  It has foil backing only.  Can I remove the foil backing?  Any suggestions?  Here's a photo.
Mamakin

[Russ Nobbs]

Solutions that matte glass will take off the AB and other surface finishes. The gold foil is different from a fumed  coating and may not react the same to products like Etchall.
I've saved some answers from other sites. (Some links may have changed)

http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28568
or http://cs.beadandbutton.com/beadingforumarchive/forums/t/2856.aspx

Someone asks us how to remove the foil backing from flat back and point back rhinestones. I know that some glues attack the foil back, I remember threads here about solvents that would remove glued in rhinestones possibly affecting the foil back.

If you want to remove all the backing, the often gold protective back and the reflective silver or gold foil under that, how do you do it.

Vinegar and salt works.
dissolve enough salt in white vinegar so that a little undissolved salt remains.


From: http://www.sandwitchandwarlock.com/id47.html
Make a solution of ordinary table salt and cider vinegar. Kosher salt is even better. The solution should be liquid enough to cover the stones but not so loose as to completely dissolve the salt. Soak the stones for about three hours and check by rubbing the backs with the salt. If the backing is loose enough, you should be able to remove the foil with a little rubbing. This solution will not harm the stones. Soaking time will vary with the age of the stone and the type of foil backing. Scarlett has found older stones take less time and stones with silver foil backing take longer. She usually puts these in to soak before retiring for the night! Occasionally, some silver residue will remain that the vinegar solution will not remove. Simply dunk the stones into jewelry cleaner and within a couple of minutes, the residue will disappear!

Bear in mind that removing the foil backing may alter the color of the stone! Some rhinestones actually receive their color from the backing. We recently received a lot of beautiful old peach glass jewels and found that after removing the foil, the stones were clear! Be sure to experiment before removing the backing from all of your stones!

[RitaD]

The foil backing protects the coating on some of the "coated" colors, such as Sahara.  If you try to remove the foil backing, it will remove the color and you will be left with a clear(ish) crystal.  

A few of the coatings, like Golden Shadow and Silver Shade are applied only to one side, but are translucent enough that they look good from either side.

[Polly]

What Rita says is true. Color #96 Crystal / Sahara is a clear crystal, with a "Sahara" foil backing.  Removing the foil backing will remove all the color from the Crystal/Sahara square ring.

A hint to figuring out which crystal colors will be significantly changed by removing their foil or coating, is to look for a slash (/) in the color name. Crystal / Sahara is clear crystal with a Sahara foil.  Crystal / CAL is a clear crystal with a Comet Argent Light (aka silver) foil.  Crystal / Aurora Borealis is clear crystal with an AB coating. Fuchsia / Aurora Borealis is fuchsia crystal with an AB coating.