How to Upgrade a Vintage Bead Choker

When you find a vintage bead choker in your grandmother's jewelry box or at a secondhand store, you may see potential but feel that the piece needs to be updated before you can wear it. With a little time, creativity and inexpensive supplies, you can turn your old necklace into a piece with new style.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Consider what you like about your vintage bead choker and what needs to be updated or upgraded for a more modern look and stronger feel. Change only what it needs to keep the vintage quality of the piece.

2. Shop at a craft store or secondhand store for supplies. Buy new ribbons, beads, jewels, clasp kits and string to revamp your necklace. You can also take apart other old necklaces to use the beads, jewels and clasp with your vintage choker.

3. Mix new beads and jewels--modern black, silver and glass beads mix well with vintage pearls, diamonds and gemstones. Find a good variety of colors while keeping the choker true to its original texture and tone.

4. String vintage beads with new ones to make the necklace stronger. Fix any broken strings by adding new ones where needed. You may find you need to start over completely, recreating the vintage choker's look with new strings of old and new beads.

5. Add a new clasp or ribbon binding to the back of the choker. No matter what state your vintage choker is in, it could probably use a new closure. Depending on the style, re-sew new ribbons or add a silver jewelry clasp.

6. Take it to a jeweler if you don't feel you can keep the vintage quality intact. A jeweler or antique expert can tell you what your necklace is worth and how to save its unique charm.

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 12/27/2008 Nice ideas for recycling vintage jewelry! *****