Restringing Beaded Necklaces, Bracelets, and Pearl Strands
At Seattle Jewelry Design & Repair, we understand that your beaded jewelry isn’t just an accessory—it’s a cherished part of your story. Whether it’s a strand of pearls passed down through generations or a beaded bracelet you wear daily, restringing ensures that your treasured pieces remain beautiful, wearable, and secure. Here’s an inside look at how we bring these pieces back to life.
The Art of Restringing
Restringing is a meticulous process that blends technical skill with artistry. Every bead, knot, and clasp plays a role in creating a durable and elegant result. Our method ensures that your jewelry is as beautiful and wearable as it was the day it was made—or even better.
Assessing the Condition
Before we begin, we examine the piece to identify its unique needs:
Thread integrity: Is the current stringing material frayed or stretched?
Beads or pearls: Are they intact, or do they need cleaning or replacing?
Clasp and findings: Are they functional, or would an upgrade improve durability and style?
We discuss these findings with you and offer options to restore or enhance your piece.
Choosing the Right Material
The stringing material is key to both durability and flexibility. Depending on the beads and how the jewelry is worn, we then make a selection from the following options:
Silk thread: A traditional choice for pearls, providing a luxurious drape.
Nylon-coated wire: Ideal for heavier beads or frequent wear.
Elastic cord: Perfect for stretch bracelets and casual designs.
We always use high-quality materials to ensure longevity and comfort.
Cleaning and Polishing
We carefully clean your beads, removing dirt, oils, or tarnish to restore their brilliance. For pearls, we use gentle methods that preserve their delicate nacre.
Restringing with Care
We restring the beads in their original order—or create a new pattern if desired—paying close attention to balance and symmetry.
For pearls and high-end bead strands, knotting is essential. Each pearl or bead is separated by a small, hand-tied knot to help accomplish the following:
Prevent rubbing and wear.
Keep the beads in place if the strand breaks.
Add a graceful fluidity to the piece.
For stretchy or unknotted designs, we use reinforced techniques and jewelry-grade epoxy to secure the ends and prevent breakage over time.
Before restringing
Securing the Clasp
Finally, we attach the clasp or findings, ensuring they’re sturdy and match the piece’s design. If needed, we can upgrade clasps to magnetic, toggle, or lobster styles for added security and ease of use.
Quality Check and Return
Before your jewelry is returned, we thoroughly inspect every detail for strength, beauty, and functionality. When you receive it, it’s not just repaired—it’s refreshed, ready to be worn and loved once more.
After altering and restringing to create 3 necklaces
When to Regstring your Necklace
If you notice any signs of wear or have concerns about the integrity of your pearl or beaded necklace, we strongly recommend bringing it into the shop for an in-person evaluation. Fraying silk, stretched cord, loose knots, thinning wire, or visible damage near the clasp are all indicators that restringing should be addressed sooner rather than later. Continuing to wear a compromised necklace significantly increases the risk of breakage and potential loss of pearls or stones.
An in-shop assessment allows us to examine the necklace under magnification, evaluate the condition of the stringing material and clasp, and recommend the most appropriate restringing method for the specific beads and wear pattern. This is especially important for heirloom pearls, heavy bead strands, or necklaces worn frequently, as subtle damage is not always obvious until failure occurs. Bringing your necklace in at the first sign of concern helps preserve both its beauty and its longevity, and often prevents more costly repairs—or irreversible loss—down the line.
Hey there, I’m Nina!
I’m a Seattle-based jeweler specializing in custom designs, heirloom restorations, and thoughtful repairs, all done by hand, start to finish, right here in my studio. Every piece I work on carries a story, and I take pride in preserving that story through craftsmanship, care, and attention to detail.
Whether you’re dreaming up a one-of-a-kind creation, bringing new life to a family treasure, or simply fixing a favorite everyday piece, my goal is to make the experience personal, collaborative, and meaningful.
If you have an idea, or even just a feeling, about what you want, let’s bring it to life together.
