Advice on First necklace purchase please: convertible?

[sm84]

I'm looking for some advice about purchasing my first high quality pearl necklace. I currently only have one 6mm 18inch necklace given to me by my mother which looks pretty dainty on me. I really love the look of opera length white pearls. Currently I'm leaning towards freshadama 7.5-8mm pearls. But also on my wish list would be a 16 inch and 18 inch white pearl necklace since those are pretty classic sizes. Is 7.5-8mm still a good size for shorter lengths?

I've been trying to find info on convertible necklaces without luck. For example, if I have a 34 inch opera length necklace, could an extra ball clasp be added so that it could be broken down into a 16 in and 18 inch necklaces? Would this extra clasp look odd or if I got a laser engraved clasp would it just look like a fancy bead?

My thinking is that this would be the most economical way to get high quality pearl necklaces at different lenghs. Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[Caitlin]

I think you have good ideas. I am am about to do that myself on some ropes, so I can wear it at different lengths.

Not sure how to advise you on what pearls to look for, but I am sure someone can!

 

[KAC]

you could add a mystery clasp to the strand that would allow you to make it "convertible"

 

[sm84]

Do those mystery clasps cause more damage to the pearl? It seems like it requires a pretty large hole. Will it tug and damage the pearl with the fastening/unfastening of the necklace?