Restringing is essential to the ensuring the longevity of pearls and gemstone necklaces. To protect and enjoy your pearl or gemstone necklaces and bracelets, they should be strung every one to two years, depending on the frequency of wear. When pearls are cleaned and restrung, they often look like a brand-new strand of pearls!
At Aurum Jewelers, we string and restring most types of bead and pearl necklaces and bracelets. We create multi-layer necklaces, graduated pearl strands, and necklaces that feature designs or patterns. Our general preference is to use silk and knot between each and every pearl or stone. There are some circumstances when we might suggest using a different stringing material (if the stones/beads are too heavy and/or too rough for the silk). While more labor intensive, we highly recommend knotting between each pearl or gemstone. This is for several reasons: to ensure safety of the beads, to avoid losing beads if the necklace should break, and it is more aesthetically pleasing as it lays more fluidly against the body.
When to Restring Your Pearls
Here are a few things to pay attention for that suggest they need restringing:
When there is excess space between the pearls. Sometimes you’ll be able to move the pearl or bead along the silk string, this indicates that it has stretched. With a freshly knotted necklace, you will not be able to move the pearls.
If there are signs of fraying, your necklace might ready to break. (This often occurs near the clasp.)
Over time, the silk often absorbs dirt and appears off-color or dirty looking. Not only is this aesthetically unpleasing, the dirt can even damage your pearls over time.
Broken clasp
Other Reasons to Restring
Update your pearls and beads by shortening or lengthening the strand. To lengthen a necklace or bracelet we curate matching pearls for your existing strand and restring the strand incorporating the new beads.
Combining strands and bracelets to make one longer piece.
Dividing a long strand into multiple strands or into a necklace and bracelet.
Changing or updating the clasp or adding a pendant and breathe new life into a strand of pearls.
Necklace Lengths
When deciding the length of your necklace there are several standard lengths to consider: collar, choker, princess, matinee and opera length.
Collar – around 12-13 inches in length. This can be a single or multi-strand necklace that sits at the middle of the neck.
Choker – around 14-16 inches in length. Typically rests above the collar bone and is sometimes preferred by more petite women.
Princess – around 17-19 inches in length. This is a very popular length due to its versatility and comfort.
Matinee – around 20-24 inches in length. This necklace length was once considered more formal but it has been increasing in popularity for more casual looks. This length lays at the top of the bust line.
Opera – around 24-54 inches in length. This length is great with formal wear or worn casually. It can also be worn doubled, tripled or knotted for a vast variety of looks. At full length, this strand lays just above midsection.