SHOULD YOUR PEARLS BE KNOTTED OR NOT?
HOW SHOULD YOUR PEARL NECKLACE BE STRUNG? WITH KNOTS OR WITHOUT?
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Do you want to know a secret?
Do you want to know how to tell the difference between a Cheap Pearl Necklace, and a Good Pearl Strand Necklace?
One quick way, is to look at the cord that the Pearls are strung on. That cord, or string, can tell you so much about the Pearls in just a couple of seconds.
Here’s how!
Pearl Knots
Look at your Pearls… Are your Pearls separated by a knot? Pearls of Quality (Not Synthetic or Cheap) are always knotted in between the Pearls.
Pearls separated by a knot in the cord are better. Each and Every Single Pearl on the Necklace is separated by that knot. (See Picture!)
Why Knot Pearls?
Simple! To keep them from rubbing together and causing damage. When Pearls rub against each other, which is what they would do if they weren’t individually knotted, the outer shell would Rub Down, Chip, or Break Off!
The outer shell, or Nacre, is very fragile and delicate. It doesn’t take much to ruin your beautiful strand of Pearls. Worn down Pearls look dull and lifeless! The knots keep your Pearls Separate, Safe and Sound. But the knots also perform another very important task…
Knots Save your Pearls from Falling off!
Knots keep your Pearls from coming loose. If you ever break a strand of Pearls, say it gets hooked on a button and the cord breaks, the Pearls would one by one fall off the necklace and roll all over the floor. You’d end up loosing them, harming them from the fall, stepping on them, it would just be a huge mess. Everyone would crawl around on their hands and knees picking up Pearls! Not good!
But when your Pearl Strand has knots in it, if you break the string, guess what? Only one single Pearl falls and rolls across the room. All the rest of the Pearls stay attached and still knotted on the cord. That’s great! Those individual knots are awesome and a Pearl saver!
Knots also do one more huge thing to help you out…
Knots tell you the condition of the Necklace
If you look at a strand of Pearls, and you see extra room or space in between the Pearls and the Knots, that means it’s becoming Stretched, Pulled, Old, and Weak!
When you can move the Pearls back and forth between the knots, it’s no good. It’s a sign that the cord is fragile and could break.
Be careful with Pearls strings that are loose! If you’re buying a new Strand of Pearls and the Pearls are loose… Don’t buy them! Or, if you do, have them restrung, Pronto!
The Cord’s Color
Looking at the Cord’s Color can also be a good indicator as to the age and wear of the Necklace. If the White Cord is dark or black, that’s a sign that says it’s Old and Worn. A dirty cord can erode and make the Necklace weak. Dirty cords can snap easier also! Not to mention the fact that it will make your Pearl Strand look Gross, Dingy and Dirty!
Restring Pearls
I’d suggest you getting your Pearl Necklace restrung every 5 years or so. More or less, depending on how often you wear it, and what kind of abuse you put it through.
And here’s another important thing about Pearl Necklaces:
Wear your Pearls often!
Otherwise Pearls will Dry Out and turn an Ugly Yellow Hue!
Pearls absorb oils from your skin and it keeps them looking Bright, New and Lustrous!
Have your cord checked a couple times a year for wear and tear. If the cord starts to unravel or fray, get it restrung.
Restringing Prices
Jewelers can normally restring a Pearl Necklace for around $2.00 an Inch! While you’re at the Jeweler getting your Pearls checked, have them look at your Pearls for damage also. If they discover any Cracks or Chips on the Pearls or around the Pearl Holes, it may be a good time to have them switched out.
Having your Pearls restrung when the cord is Old, Pulled, or Dirty, and having any bad Pearls replaced, will keep your Pearl Necklace looking beautiful and New forever!
And that’s the secret to having a perfect strand of Pearls!
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I recently acquired an opera length Akoya pearl necklace. It was given to my mother in 1974. It doesn’t appear to be knotted. Is it possible that the knots just don’t show? Or that it was strung on something unbreakable, like wire?
Hi Margaret. More than likely they had no knots to begin with. It’s also possible that the knots have pulled into the hole in the pearl, but I doubt it. Usually the string stretches when it gets worn and makes a bigger gap between the knot and the pearl (looser), versus making them tighter. -Richard
Richard: Thank you for your answer. They were rarely worn, They’ve been tucked away for years. Now I want to give them to my granddaughter. Do you think I should get them restrung?
Yes, I would. The cord is probably weakened, and the pearls could use a good cleaning. :) -Richard
thank you for this information.
I have a choker style ,large pearl. necklace. one of the pearls at the hook end came off. I took all off the strong. one of the pearls, the one that came off was half peeled, outter part, it looks like whitish rock underneath. is that what a real pearl looks like under the shell. I got the necklace from my aunt.