This may be too late altogether, but I'll throw in my 0.02 to see if I can help.
Typically in small audio, lapel mics, headphones, etc., the wires are color coded like this:
red = right
green = left
sliver/copper/plain= ground
usually they are also clear enamel coated, which is probably why you werent getting anywhere with your test connections..
take a really sharp blade and scrape at the bare wires to take off some enamel and try again. you may need to solder these to get decent connection.
wiring to a standard 3.5mm pin should go like this, moving from the tip back toward the base:
tip is left - green
ring is right - red
sleeve is ground
good luck!
feel free to ask if anything needs clarification!