RE-String a PEARL Necklace or Bracelet with Handy Trouble Shooting Ideas

I’ve been restringing pearls for years and it can be a bit tricky. Through the video I show you how I encounter a few issues and then overcome them. Hope you enjoy watching!
One of the most often asked questions I receive from beginning beaders is what type of cord or string you should use to string their pearls. Of course, it would be nice to be able to tell them to use string "X." There are many different types of stringing media on the market. So, to decide which string to use, you need to consider what you're stringing. And, in my opinion, no one type of string or cord can do it all as even in the one strand pearl hole sizes can differ. Usually when restringing pearls larger than 5mm they are fine but smaller than this and I’ve occasionally had to hand drill out each pearl.
Size 6 silk thread is the best choice for most knotted pearl necklaces. However, the size of the thread you use really depends on the size of the hole. The most important thing to consider, besides size, is the material. Silk thread is the best choice for knotting a pearl necklace. I often use size 10 for strength in larger pearls.
Silk is a higher quality thread than nylon. So, when you're charging people to hand-knot their pearl strands, it only makes sense to use a good quality thread. It comes in a variety of colors (white, black, gray, pink, etc.) and sizes (#1-#10)
I use 0.15mm wire to twist for my needles :)
If you need supplies here’s a selection to get you started - amzn.to/3RLZZS0

[@delliesabio2438]

Thank you very much. You were very patient and you provided solutions to problems that may arise while stringing the pearls.

[@OffGridArtist]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching and I hope my video helps 😁

[@Caldonia-s8p]

Really enjoy your video, so helpful. Please do more on pearl knotting.

[@OffGridArtist]

I will definitely if I get time 😍 glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment!

[@jamesglencoe3035]

Thank you for this. With your help I was able to fix my wife's broken necklace. To anyone wondering if they can do this, I'm a left hand amputee, if I can do it so can you! Just be slow, patient, and you'll get it.

[@OffGridArtist]

Oh so wonderful. I’m very happy to have been able to help 😁 merry Christmas James

[@lindastanton762]

Absolutely wonderful demonstration. Thanks for taking the time to show us how to fix the various problems that may arise while stringing pearls. It was super helpful. 👌

[@OffGridArtist]

Hi Linda ❤️ thanks so much for watching I’m glad you’ve found it helpful!

[@NaomiR51]

I've inherited 2 pearl necklaces from my boyfriends grandmother. One is broken and needed a new clasp and restringing. I noticed that the thread has this wire around it at the clasps to protect it from wearing. I couldn't find what that wire was called untill I found this video! Thank you so much! Now I'm able to fix the necklace and wear it :D

[@OffGridArtist]

Hi Naomi, thanks for your comment I’m really glad my video has been a help. I hope you enjoy wearing the necklaces :)

[@irisgallagher6660]

Your patience is admirable! Thank you for sharing!

[@OffGridArtist]

My pleasure thanks for watching 🥰 I spent 20 years as a jeweller so yes patience luckily was one thing I had plenty of.

[@jacquitabeddo6621]

This was a wonderful video. I have been trying to find a jeweler to restring some pearls I that were left to me years ago to no avail. After watching this video I really think I can do it myself. THANK YOU

[@OffGridArtist]

I’m really happy to be able to help 😍 all the best! Let me know if guy have any questions. I’ll be out of range for 4 days on the reef but will be back by the weekend 😍🦈

[@elizabethmhennigan9683]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video !!

[@OffGridArtist]

My pleasure 😍 thank you for watching!

[@Cristof12345]

Thank you very much for your beautiful tutorial 🙏🏼

[@OffGridArtist]

No worries it is my pleasure 😍 thanks for watching!

[@LeNguyen-im8dm]

Great video.

[@OffGridArtist]

Thanks so much for watching 😍 I appreciate your comment. I love making tutorials and will keep striving to make them even better ☝🏻😁

[@bonnie4526]

Thank you so much

[@OffGridArtist]

You’re more than welcome :) thanks for watching!

[@LanaInYourArea]

Thank you! I have some really old uncultured tahitian pearls and I realized that pearl strands need knots and the place i got it fixed at didnt do knots so yeah thank you!

[@OffGridArtist]

No worries at all I hope it helps! I’m sorry they didn’t give you an option usually I ask my customers and tell them knots are recommended. Very unusual to have uncultured tahitians :) I can’t say I ever saw any. Definitely worth knotting them.

[@sissyflores719]

Would it had made I easier for the thread to be worked if you had used he bee’s wax, I saw you had it with the tools you needed to use

[@OffGridArtist]

Yes beeswax definitely helps. It lubricates the pearls and helps them slide if they are tight. Good luck!

[@zoomjewelrydesignclassesls1362]

Please add more details: size of pearls, size holes, and size thread (that goes through pearls 4x), and wire gauge to make the needle. Thank you! Clever way to make your needles!

[@OffGridArtist]

One of the most often asked questions I receive from beginning beaders is what type of cord or string you should use to string their pearls. Of course, it would be nice to be able to tell them to use string "X." There are many different types of stringing media on the market. So, to decide which string to use, you need to consider what you're stringing. And, in my opinion, no one type of string or cord can do it all as even in the one strand pearl hole sizes can differ. Usually when restringing pearls larger than 5mm they are fine but smaller than this and I’ve occasionally had to hand drill out each pearl. Size 6 silk thread is the best choice for most knotted pearl necklaces. However, the size of the thread you use really depends on the size of the hole. The most important thing to consider, besides size, is the material. Silk thread is the best choice for knotting a pearl necklace. I often use size 10 for strength in larger pearls. Silk is a higher quality thread than nylon. So, when you're charging people to hand-knot their pearl strands, it only makes sense to use a good quality thread. It comes in a variety of colors (white, black, gray, pink, etc.) and sizes (#1-#10) I use 0.15mm wire to twist for my needles :)

[@panno16]

@@OffGridArtist Thank you for the tutorial, and tips!

[@josephinehenriettapiczon-h2205]

I want to buy that thread..how much pls...

[@ant123924]

@@josephinehenriettapiczon-h2205 my question too. Where to buy thread and wire

[@elizabethmhennigan9683]

Look for "Griffin" brand beading thread. It comes in both silk & nylon so make sure to know which one is which. It's from Germany & has the attached needle.

[@meeranaam]

How do you fix the ugly metal chain and clasp found on 3 string Pearl necklaces? I know real and expensive pearl necklaces don’t have the cheap metal backing. Any ideas? Kind regards.🥰

[@OffGridArtist]

Hi there, feel free to message me some photos on Instagram and I’ll try and give my best advice. I am off_grid_artist there. Talk soon! Angela

[@meeranaam]

@@OffGridArtist Thank you so much! I’ll take a few pictures and contact you via IG. I have a vintage pair of 3 strand pearls that could fool the eye if knotted and have an elegant clasp. Thank you! Milly

[@arinc4098]

Thank you for the demo! Does anybody know how to string the tiniest seed pearls (0.2mm) on a silk thread? The needle is always breaking, because of the super tight hole. Thank you in advance!

[@OffGridArtist]

I hope you mean 2mm otherwise that’s almost invisible pearls 😅. I don’t have experience with that small sorry I wish I had some tips for you. Sounds very difficult to achieve

[@elizabethmhennigan9683]

I use 2 sizes of silk thread ... but instead of bending one skene to make 2 threads for knotting, I use one #2 skene as the "start" beading thread, and a #1 skene going the opposite way used to do a second stringing & ultimately be the thread tie the knot as shown in this video. To fortify the small size threads & save it from extra friction related wear, I soak the threads in water (for Rosaries I use Holy Water) for just enough time to allow the thread to immediately straightened when pulled. Then, I condition the thread with beeswax to stretch, condition & strengthen as well as to straighten out those bothersome kinks. This makes for smooth beading & less overall wear due to friction on thread as you bead. I find that if the 2nd beading/knot tying thread is a #1 or a #0 I have never had the "I can't get this darn bead through" problem ever again. Of course, only use a #0 if you absolutely have to as it is quite thin & not as integritous as the #1. Practice the thicknesses before committing thread to bead to see if it fits. Mind you ... as you may know, even if you practice, you may come across a bead whose hole is smaller than the others. Sometimes just trying another bead if you run into trouble fixes the problem. Other times (as just happened to me 2 wks ago) finding another one with the correct hole just isn't happening. If you can, look down the hole of the bead to determine if the hole size is changing or if the hole drilled way to the side of the bead which makes it defective & will most likely snap in half before it leaves your shop. Tonight I discovered this new way that seems to be a sweet spot in finding workable thickness for the smallest bead you can find. The acid test would be to try this technique on a drilled rough 2-3mm diamond. My current success is happening with tiny glass seed beads and - most satisfying - a tiny drilled welo opal bead from Ethiopia. I almost had to abandon this project what with some troublesome wholes in drilled natural fresh water pearl holes & of course, the finiky welos. Hope this helps !! (Also -- especially with pearls & natural gemstones - it is good to either rub the beads every so often with your fingers - thus imparting your own hand oil to moisten the stones - or use beeswax or pure olive oil. If you don't, after awhile they will dry out, lose their integrity, crack, then break apart. Also, natural gemstone jewelry needs open air to circulate the beads. Best not put in a drawer if at all possible. Tell these things to your buyers lest they come back to you with cracked beads when least expected.)

[@vickyperez213]

Hi there! What is the name of that kind of tray? Is it specifically for measuring pearls?

[@OffGridArtist]

Hi Vicky thanks for watching :). It’s called a beading board you can buy them in cheap craft stores and online. They’re not usually very expensive. They’re not necessarily made for pearls but can be really handy if you have a graduated or patterned set of pearls or beads to string as it helps you find the length and the middle. You don’t need it but it is just another tool that makes life easier. I hope my tutorial helped you. Angela

[@hycinth5371]

These are med-small pearls . Is there a reason for using 4 strands instead of 2?

[@OffGridArtist]

It’s easy because the way it is with the needle there is naturally two then back through is naturally 4. 2 would be harder because essentially with the thread through the needle it is still 2 that has to pass through the hole regardless so may as well take the extra strength it provides :). Hope this helps

[@guyvandevenne8024]

Très belle démonstration jamais avec des francaises

[@OffGridArtist]

merci d'avoir regardé, je suis heureux de vous aider. mon mari est français, peut-être qu'un jour nous essaierons de traduire toutes mes vidéos. 😄. nous vivons sur un bateau mais toujours en Australie. tous mes vœux!

[@franmillican3316]

Hi I watched your video, and wondered why you used 4 strands of cord rather than just a double strand.

[@OffGridArtist]

Thanks for the comment, it’s been awhile since I made this one so would have to go back and check. But I’m pretty sure I just did double one way then double back. The reason I do this is for strength and also having a double strand attached to your needle will make it much easier to pull because it’s a solid loop. If you wanted to go up with one and back with one it would mean you would have a loose end where the needle is hooked on and that would come loose and be difficult to manage when pulling through tight holes. You still have to get through the hole essentially with two anyway so may as well continue the double up and double back :). It’s the way I was taught. You can knot as you go with two but I don’t do this way. Hope this helps.

[@guyvandevenne8024]

Svp

[@guyvandevenne8024]

En français

[@OffGridArtist]

Desole moi Francois et non bonne. Peutx tu utilise auto translate sur KZbin?

[@lindamona4736]

what size thread,,

[@OffGridArtist]

I have a very detailed answer to this in the description of the video 😁 let me know if that doesn’t help. All the best! X Angela

[@bonnie4526]

Where can I get gimp wire

[@OffGridArtist]

Hi Bonnie, I just had a quick look on eBay you can buy it quite cheaply there. I like to buy the same colour as my clasp so silver tone if it’s silver or white gold and gold tone if it’s a gold clasp. Good luck would love to hear how you go :)

[@bonnie4526]

@@OffGridArtist thanks so much

[@user-bn1ht9uc6z]

Сколько усердия вы затратили на это УКРАШЕНИЕ 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@OffGridArtist]

Thank you for watching 😍😍😍 and your lovely comment