How to Rethread Pearls

Restring your pearls, if you have the patience.

Restringing pearls is a labor of love. It requires patience, coordination and a good eye. But when you're finished, you can wear your prized pearls with pride.

Things You'll Need

• Beading thread or wire (thread must be large enough for a nice knot if knotting between pearls, but be small enough to go through the bead; silk is often the preferred thread)
• Beading needle (very small)
• Place to keep pearls sorted and in place
• Jewelry glue for ends of knots
• Clasp
• Clamshell to attach clasp to wire or thread

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of thread at least three times the length of your finished project. Be generous with your thread.
   Practice tying a knot in the thread a few times before making the actual piece of jewelry, or restringing one you have.
   This can be done on a different piece of thread.

   The knots need to lie right next to the bead. If you do not want a knotted string, SoftFlex thin wire with a nylon coating will work fine, and not damage your pearls. SoftFlex products do not kink easily and lie as soft as natural string. They also can be knotted.

2. Begin by tying a knot in the end of the string you have threaded onto the needle. Between subsequent pearls, tie an overhand knot, bringing the end of the pearls through the loop and using a small, sharp object -- such as the needle -- tighten the knot down next to the bead. Keeping the point of the needle in the knot center and moving it down the strand will accomplish this. String each bead exactly the same way until you reach the length of the finished necklace or bracelet. If the pearls are graduated, you must lay them out on a bead board or soft towel so they don't move out of order as you string.

3. Tie a last knot after the last bead, then string a clamshell clasp holder onto the string and slide it down to the knot. Tie another, now making at least two overhand knots to secure the end of the thread into the clamshell, and add a tiny drop of jewelry glue. You can use the tip of a straight pin to do this; it's less messy.
   Close the clamshell loop over the end of the clasp and repeat the process on the other end of the item, gluing the knot on each end. Attach the other half of the clasp, connect the clasp, and you are finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Wipe the pearls with a soft damp cloth prior to rethreading. Body oils from use over time will coat them. Do not wet silk thread. It will stretch out of shape.

• Organize all your tools, and practice. You can always start over.

• Even if you just string them onto wire, as if you were making any bracelet or necklace, they will work fine without the knots.

• The knots, however, are traditional, and the silk thread protects the bead edges.

• If beading and knotting is not your cup of tea, or if you are all thumbs, call in an expert.

References

• Kari Pearls: How to Knot Pearls or Restring Pearls
• Jewelry Artist: Pearl Necklace