MotherOfPearlTrumpet
Well-known member
@eolianpearls ...Amazing akoya keshis @MotherOfPearlTrumpet!!! I love LOVE akoya keshis! They are tiny with have incredible luster and personality! And extra kudos to you for your patience with making them into a triple necklace! Triple WOW!!!
THANK YOU for your "Triple WOW!!!" The 3-strand keshi is actually knotted between each pearl-I felt that high-end clasp deserved the work that entailed. They were so expensive I didn't ever want to risk loosing one. These silvery-gray pearls are very nice Keshi pearls, but below is a MUCH more challenging strand...(it is listed in "My Pearling Story" under Show us Your Pearls in Action! Thread. Detailed story there.)
I purchased this necklace for the clasp, which I used on another project. When I purchased it, it was missing a strand of keshi pearls and the "silk thread-tag and 1 or 2 pearls was dangling off the clasp on each side. I later learned why...each strand was strung on very thin silk and the sharpness of the drill hole on those tiny sometimes hollow keshi pearls was sharp and shredded right through that fine silk. The holes are so tiny!!! It had 6 strands when I purchased it (the missing strand was #7). I started by stringing them on #1 silk but by 3/4 way through the strand the silk broke from those tiny sharp pearls being dragged down the long strand of silk, and MANY of the pearls had to be reamed out just to get them onto the needle/thread. I quickly realized on that first strand that silk was not going to be the best solution. So, I got some "Extra Fine" silicone covered beading wire and used 14K white gold crimp beads. Many of the pearls had to be redrilled (using a #.06 drill bit on my Dremel). The wire acted as the needle, but I still had to refresh/clip the end of the beading wire often as the pearls shredded even that. Eventually I got them all restrung. Yikes this was a test in patience! The end result was worth it though. It is a 6 strand gray keshi pearl wonder. Looks (and feels) like wearing a thick rope of coral around my neck. I restrung them on a high-end 14K white gold magnetic twist clasp. The beading wire was the way to go, as the strands are not much more securely attached to the clasp. This method should last my lifetime. Only those of you who bead can appreciate what went into restringing this crazy necklace!
THANK YOU for your "Triple WOW!!!" The 3-strand keshi is actually knotted between each pearl-I felt that high-end clasp deserved the work that entailed. They were so expensive I didn't ever want to risk loosing one. These silvery-gray pearls are very nice Keshi pearls, but below is a MUCH more challenging strand...(it is listed in "My Pearling Story" under Show us Your Pearls in Action! Thread. Detailed story there.)
I purchased this necklace for the clasp, which I used on another project. When I purchased it, it was missing a strand of keshi pearls and the "silk thread-tag and 1 or 2 pearls was dangling off the clasp on each side. I later learned why...each strand was strung on very thin silk and the sharpness of the drill hole on those tiny sometimes hollow keshi pearls was sharp and shredded right through that fine silk. The holes are so tiny!!! It had 6 strands when I purchased it (the missing strand was #7). I started by stringing them on #1 silk but by 3/4 way through the strand the silk broke from those tiny sharp pearls being dragged down the long strand of silk, and MANY of the pearls had to be reamed out just to get them onto the needle/thread. I quickly realized on that first strand that silk was not going to be the best solution. So, I got some "Extra Fine" silicone covered beading wire and used 14K white gold crimp beads. Many of the pearls had to be redrilled (using a #.06 drill bit on my Dremel). The wire acted as the needle, but I still had to refresh/clip the end of the beading wire often as the pearls shredded even that. Eventually I got them all restrung. Yikes this was a test in patience! The end result was worth it though. It is a 6 strand gray keshi pearl wonder. Looks (and feels) like wearing a thick rope of coral around my neck. I restrung them on a high-end 14K white gold magnetic twist clasp. The beading wire was the way to go, as the strands are not much more securely attached to the clasp. This method should last my lifetime. Only those of you who bead can appreciate what went into restringing this crazy necklace!
The backstory for this stainless steel necklace. I bought it for my Mom 20 years ago, it is Italian and had 4 big (fake) Tahitian pearls. My Mom loved it and wore it for many years. Until I got into pearls and couldn’t look at this necklace with same eyes anymore...and the fake Ts got all not-pretty looking with time... So I decided to give it an makeover with Australian South Sea pearls that i came to appreciate so much last year. The necklace needed big pearl so my budget said circles and Care Ehret happened to have a lot of these lustrous beauties on her website. There were two extra pearls so I asked Margaret of Simply Adorned to make two simple lariats with freshwater keshis for my sister and me.... I am so happy with the result and I am sure my Mom (and sister who is just along for the ride;-) will be too!
And CatMom, you are looking fabulous in your Tahitians! All the pieces work so nicely together.
