[danachit]

Hi all.. when you are restringing a strand of pearls, do you restring them to match the original way they were finished, or do you finish the way you prefer, even if it's different than the current style?

As I've been observing, there are about three different ways to finish...with bullion, with bead tips, and the string just looped onto the clasp ring. I have two jobs right now. One is a mikimoto with bead tips, one is old & graduated with the silk right on the clasp loop.

So I'm wondering if I should maintain the original styles.

What do yall do?

[Slraep]

Hi Danachit,

Bead tips are things you finish off faux pearl necklaces with, or pearls of an iffy value, in my opinion. String looped on a clasp is a Chinese method. It's fast and a little cheap looking, and you need to use synthetic thread for its toughness. Bullion or gimp with fine silk thread is the classic method. Of course, every stringer will have their special take on the above. The only thing that really bugs me is common bead tips on an expensive pearl necklace.

Slraep

[knotty panda]

Danchit: It's not my decision. It's my customer's decision. If, for some reason, I can't get their selection of a preferred method, I would err on the side of what would be the least objectionable and that, I think, is the use of gimp and silk.

[danachit]

Originally Posted by knotty panda

Danchit: It's not my decision. It's my customer's decision. If, for some reason, I can't get their selection of a preferred method, I would err on the side of what would be the least objectionable and that, I think, is the use of gimp and silk.

Their decision is usually to look wide-eyed at me and say "You do it any way you want."

I'm with you, though, the gimp does seem to be the most widely used and acceptable way to go. My gold plated and sterling silver gimp arrived yesterday so I've finally buried my search for 14K gimp.

[knotty panda]

I was just reading your buttermilk biscuit post and saw this. Yeah, we've ALL been on that 14kt gimp snipe hunt. Oh, here's another snipe hunt -- Mikimoto tension threading. I swear, as soon as I say that, someone will chime in and say, "but it's true!" Anyway, since we both spend our lives on 75, let's say we meet in Valdosta! I'll bring the gravy!

[danachit]

Valdosta? Ewweeee...let's not. TOO hot down thar!! Oh my gosh, I almost spelled 'not' like 'knot'!!! What's happening to me?

I'm thinking a new business would be to manufacture 14K white and yellow gold gimp! NO competition!

[knotty panda]

There has to be a reason no one makes 14kt gimp. I'm happy they make vermeil and sterling. If they didn't, I probably skip the gimp or use base metal.