Why are pearl necklaces strung on silk thread? Could they be restrung on wire without injury to the pearls?

Question

I'm asking because I'd like to add silver spacers in between the pearls - it's a family strand of pearls, but I just don't like the plain strand. I'd like it to look a little more modern; but I don't want to hurt the pearls themselves.

Answer 1

Pearls are quite soft and easily damaged. The are the nachre that forms around the inclusion of an irritant-usually a grain of sand within the oyster.

In order to keep the pearls from becoming damaged and for the correct drape of a fine piece of jewelry, you should ALWAYS string pearls on silk cord, and knot between each one.

Having said that, if you are making a piece of jewelry with pearls and other beads, especially inexpensive glass pearls, you can use a beading wire such as SoftFlex, Accuflex, etc...Glass pearls have much more durability than freshwater pearls or cultured pearls; they are often dyed or colored, and make excellent bracelets and necjlaces.

Answer 2

Real pearls are strung on silk thread so they can drape nicely. Beading wires just don't have the same soft, fluid drape. The silk thread is knotted between the pearls to provide a tiny separation between the pearls and prevent them from wearing against the next pearl.

You could use a very small diameter beading wire to restring them, but they wouldn't drape properly, and they would wear on the sides of the pearls where they contacted the next pearl.

Answer 3

pearl necklaces are strung on silk thread because the holes in the pearls are very small, and each pearl is secured on the the string by knotting after each one. That way, if the string breaks, the pearls don't go rolling all over the place. You can't really do that with wire. And silk thread is very strong.

Answer 4

When I string pearls, I use silk thread, because I respect the pearl, and it is a strong way to keep the pearls on the string........of course, I knot between each pearl. Just as other gems can become 'banged up', so can pearls. To string a necklace of fine pearls on wire does not sound reasonable to me. If you are speaking of cultured, inexpensive pearls.........it is a different situation.

Answer 5

Wire or monofilament might saw through the pearls. Also, silk thread lets the weight of the pearls determine how they will hang.

Answer 6

The double knotted silk thread protects your pearls.

Answer 7

Usually pearl necklaces are strung with double silk thread, of course you can string them with below 0.8mm size wire. Our freshwater pearls are drilled 0.8mm size hole.

Usually pearl bracelets can be strung in wire, see two photos:
http://www.topearl.com/fbr154-67mm-siderdrill-freshwater-pearl-bangle-bracelet-p-2586.html
http://www.topearl.com/fb202-67mm-smooth-both-side-pearl-bracelet-with-crystal-beads-p-1998.html

Answer 8

yes, re-stringing pearls on wire will sratch the pearls! so i would recommend NOT re-stringing the pearlson wire and keep them on thread.

Answer 9

I gave my lady buddy a pearl necklace the different weekend.She marvelled , it caught her thoroughly off safeguard.It develop into the form of gorgeous modern ,satisfying for the giver additionally. circulate on , ask your boyfriend to offer you one.

Answer 10

wire??? never use wire with pearls