How to Re-Tie Broken Pearls
Traditionally, quality pearl necklaces are strung on silk thread. Silk is a sturdy material but over time it stretches---gaps open between the pearls, and the silk wears thin and often breaks.
To avoid strand breakage, have your jeweler restring your pearls periodically. If you wear them a great deal, do this every year or two and take good care to protect pearls even when you're not wearing them. Preventive care of your treasured jewels will go a long way toward ensuring they continue to look brilliant for many years---or even a lifetime! However, if your necklace breaks and you don't want to take it to a professional, you can re-tie the broken strand yourself.
Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Bead board or tray to hold the beads
- Beading wire---this will be made into a needle or purchase a # 2 beading needle
- Silk or synthetic (nylon) thread (silk is superior)
- Pearl necklace
- Clasp
- Scissors
Instructions
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Gather your materials
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1
Remove the pearls from your broken or old necklace all at once, being careful to lay them in the same order. If they were knotted, you'll need to cut between each pearl; otherwise, they will come off too quickly, so keep them on the bead board or they'll get loose.
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2
Clean your pearls before restringing them. Use a water-dampened soft cloth or chamois. Do not use a toothbrush or any other abrasive substance as they will scuff the pearl's soft surface. And never use detergent, bleach or chemicals that can ultimately melt the fragile pearl nacre.
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3
Cut a length of thread five to six times the length of your current necklace.
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Use the # 2 needle, or cut a piece of beading wire about 7 or 8 inches long, fold it in half and cut the ends at a sharp angle, creating a pointy edge that you will use as a needle.
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Thread the needle, or place the silk thread between the bent wire edge as if you are threading a pair of tweezers---the pointy ends are your needle. Your mock-needle is now threaded. If your wire-needle grows dull, just cut it again to sharpen up the point. String the pearls onto this single thread using the wire needle. There should be only a single---not double---thread through the pearls at this point.
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Tie one end of the clasp to the thread securely, and then loop the needle back through the last pearl, heading in the reverse direction from the clasp.
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Send the threaded needle back through the last pearl, and tie a knot with the free end of thread around the thread already in the pearls. Continue to do this through all the pearls, one by one, tying a knot behind each pearl along the way. This holds the pearls securely in place and keeps them from suffering friction that will crack and chip away at the delicate surface.
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When you finish carefully tying each pearl, you are ready to secure the remaining clasp. Congratulations!
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Tips & Warnings
It's better to clean pearls regularly so that there is no buildup of dirt or makeup.
Put pearls on after applying makeup, perfume, deodorant or hair spray.
Take off pearls before showering, bathing or swimming so you don't get the thread wet.
Keep pearls in a soft pouch or bag away from other jewelry that can scratch them.
