| small pearl unknotted...over trhe years we have seen several unknotted genuine pearl necklaces, 2-3" from clasp, wear into
a barrel shape.
Our stringing dept was founded by my aunts in the 30" continued by my mother and then yours truly since 69. We have always had a policy of recommending not washing a finished strand. Gentle wipe OK. We have had some graduated strands so gunked up with cake makeup you couldn't find the pearls at the end...No Lie... This particular wholesale customer eventually brought them to us 3 times a year when we explained "gunking". He just didn't want to bother.
I've seen graduated cultured pearls not cared for and not knotted that were worn thru' the nacre. We have always felt that washing weakend the silk and transferred some of the "gunk" to the cord. Frequent stringing is the answer.
pearlman |