Petal Pearls

[Pearlcat]

I bought some top drilled petal pearls from John Tu and have a question. I haven't worked with petal pearls before and was wondering should I use wire or dandyline/Power Pro to string them?

[pearlescence]

Does it not depend to some extent on what you are planning for them? Lovely pearls - what size?
I'm seeing a lot of black with red pearls at present, like these, btw.

[Pearlcat]

In general, they are about 11-12mm long by 8mm wide. I plan to make a simple necklace and bracelet with them possibly with some small 2 or 3mm rose gold colored beads every few pearls.

Although they are peacock or "black", in person they really look more chocolate with green overtones. Kate

[pattye]

Hi Kate,

Probably what I would do is a sample of each. I use the 49 strand beadalon wire in a fine .13 or .15. It is so easy to string, just use the end right off the spool and don't cut it (for the sample). I also have bead stoppers so I can see how tight I want it. Perhaps you could do the same with thread. Whether you use thread and knot every few pearls (like under the gold bead) will make a difference also. I love those pearls, be sure and let us know, with photos, of course!

[pattye]

P.S. Even though I have strung hundreds of pieces by now, I still sometimes have to redo a piece more than once to get it to hang right or move around a couple of the pearls or gemstones or get the tension correct.

[Pearlcat]

Thanks for all your good advice. I'm definitely ready to move on to something more complicated than standard stringing! I'll post pictures when I figure out what I'm going to do and do it! Thanks, Kate

[GemGeek]

They sure look like fun. I'm picturing garnet beads in between so they fan out...

[Pearlcat]

Hmm - hadn't thought about that. Definitely a possibility!