Is your string of pearls
starting to look… stringy? There’s nothing as sad as a row of pearls that need
some attention, and a snapped string could mean the loss of some precious gems
from your string.
When to Restring Your Pearls
Sometimes you’ve had a string
of pearls for so long, you’ve forgotten what they used to look like. But take a
second look, and search for these signs. Any one of them could indicate a need
to restring:
Dirty knots. Traditional
Real pearl necklaces from Timeless Pearl have knots between the pearls to
keep them from moving around. But wearing it often means the visible parts of
the string, like the knots, can become dirty. This can take away from your
necklace, making it seem uncared for.
Fuzzy knots. When you wear a
necklace often, the knots can become ‘fluffy’ or ‘fuzzy’. This happens when the
pearls rub against the knots, and over time, this rubbing can shred the knots
making them look a little like wool. This is a sign that the thread may soon break.
Longer necklace. When your
necklace becomes longer than what it used to be, it’s a sign that the thread
has stretched. Stretching makes the thread weak, which means that your thread
may snap.
Uneven gaps. When your
thread stretches, it also leaves gaps between pearls, which not only look bad,
but it’s another sign that the thread has weakened.
Pearls covering
knots. Stretching can also cause the knots to shrink and be pulled through
the pearl’s drill hole. When there isn’t a knot between pearls, they’ll rub
against each other and cause damage to the beads.
Discolored pearls. Pearls
hanging next to gold beads, for example, sometimes turn black because of the
chemical reactions between the two substances.
Pearls that have lost their
luster. Because pearls are an organic material, they are porous (unlike gold or
metal) which allows them to absorb things like sweat, perfume or dirt, causing
them to lose their shine or change color.
Restringing is the perfect
opportunity to replace damaged pearls, to clean and shine pearls that have lost
their luster or have become discolored.
Choosing The Right Thread Is
Important
The pearl value will determine
the type of thread you use. Here are some guidelines on how to choose the right
thread:
For valuable pearl necklaces,
silk is best. High-quality silk thread will last much longer than other types
of thread. Ask your retailer for a thread that is made specifically for pearls,
as the thread needs to be very thin, yet very strong. Small pearls need a
two-strand silk thread so that the necklace can reveal the pearls’ beauty but
not the knots. Larger pearls will need a three-strand silk thread, for a
stronger string.
For necklaces that contain both
pearls and other stones you can use cotton wire, nylon, fishing line or copper
wire. These are all strong enough to carry the weight of the heavy stones.
For expandable bracelets or
necklaces, use expandable silk or nylon thread. It’s convenient to wear and use
but remember that it will damage easily and is likely to get caught on other
jewelry. For this type of thread, you might need to restring more often.
How To Restring Your Pearls
Ask your local jeweler for help
or, if you’d like to try it yourself, click here for step-by-step
instructions on how to restring your pearls at home.
