Advice on lengthening pearl necklace

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novice859

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I purchased the attached necklace as a gift. It is an estate strand of cultured baroque South Sea pearls with round brilliant diamonds set in a 10K white gold clasp. Diamond total weight: .26 ct. Necklace length with clasp at 16.5. The pearls and diamonds have wonderful luster and shine in person. I specifically purchased this necklace due to the unique and beautiful clasp, which can be worn in the front for more formal or fancy wear or in the back for everyday wear.

Unfortunately, the 16.5 is a tight fit for the recipient. We've debated many things over several months without coming to a solution: could add a different clasp or even an antique pin into a clasp but fear it would be too large/ostentatious; could do bigger knots; could add a 1/4 inch or so of chain or hook/loop of matching white gold on both sides of the existing clasp; could add additional pearls (think this would be hard to match); could add in baroque pearls of other colors (light gold, lavender, grey hues - but that would seem to change the entire look). With this antique clasp, the cheap chain-type extenders you see online won't work.

Photo 3 is from the store's original online listing.

Expert advice would be much appreciated.
 

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Circled SSP are the least expensive shape, and the pearls in your necklace are quite diverse in shape and surface characteristics, so it may not be so hard to find pearls that fit the overall look with which to lengthen it.

I would go on Etsy and search for baroque/circled WSSP. If you can't find them loose, you could even look for a bracelet to cannibalize, which would let you choose the best of all the pearls with which to assemble the final necklace.
Stick with sellers who take returns, to be safe.

example (I have not bought from this seller):
 
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Pearl Dreams said:
Circled SSP are the least expensive shape, and the pearls in your necklace are quite diverse in shape and surface characteristics, so it may not be so hard to find pearls that fit the overall look with which to lengthen it.

I would go on Etsy and search for baroque/circled WSSP. If you can't find them loose, you could even look for a bracelet to cannibalize, which would let you choose the best of all the pearls with which to assemble the final necklace.
Stick with sellers who take returns, to be safe.

example (I have not bought from this seller):
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your response and the idea on a bracelet or Etsy.
 
While you're at it, you might have a look at my stringing tutorial, for when it's time to restring it:
Pearl Dreams

Thread 'Stringing Tutorial with photos: Stringing on Serafil, Beaders Secret & Power Pro'

How to string (or restring) your pearls on doubled Pattye's Serafil, Beaders Secret, and Power Pro​

This is not hard-- really! It is harder to describe it than to do it. Anyone can learn to string their own pearls!
If after reading through this, it sounds too daunting, I suggest making a mini-strand for practice first. Make one 12-15 pearls long just so you can practice how to knot the end 3 pearls on each side and attach the clasps; the middle pearls are easy to knot.

To just practice knotting (without bothering with clasps), make an overhand knot, string on a pearl (or...
  • Like

It's not hard to string pearls! The knots are easy to make. :)
 
How much length do you need? Keep in mind, it's not so much the length as the size of the pearls that will make it fit smaller.
I don't know how crafty you are, but I'm wondering if you could do wire-wrapping -- that would extend the length. Or, perhaps a tin cup style? You have a lot of pearls.
In the mean time, can you wrap it twice and wear it as a bracelet?
 
ennui said:
How much length do you need? Keep in mind, it's not so much the length as the size of the pearls that will make it fit smaller.
I don't know how crafty you are, but I'm wondering if you could do wire-wrapping -- that would extend the length. Or, perhaps a tin cup style? You have a lot of pearls.
In the mean time, can you wrap it twice and wear it as a bracelet?
Click to expand...
Great ideas on the wire-wrapping or tin-cup/station style. We will have to think on that. Thank you for the response.
 
It's fortunate that the pearls are baroque, so the size and shape is less critical than a good color/luster match. If it were mine, I would contact Pearl Paradise to see if you could send the necklace to them to match 2 or more pearls to add the length you need and maintain the elegant style of the strand.
 
pattye said:
It's fortunate that the pearls are baroque, so the size and shape is less critical than a good color/luster match. If it were mine, I would contact Pearl Paradise to see if you could send the necklace to them to match 2 or more pearls to add the length you need and maintain the elegant style of the strand.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your response as well. I must be honest - after coming across and joining this forum (and having fun educating myself even more through various posts), I had come to the same conclusion since making my original post, as it seems an outfit like Pearl Paradise would be best equipped for the job given their larger inventory (including South Sea baroques), as opposed to any local jewelers...Everyone's advice on here is much appreciated!
 
De Blancas said:
Maybe you can try looking for a customized extensive clasp or accessories instead of looking for similar pearls. By the pics, I would say extending it to 20inch would make it a beautiful necklace.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response - great ideas. Have also considered adding rondels. Lots to consider.
 
I've purchased many vintage necklaces that were made for much smaller necks (from standard lengths in the past). I have several posts of necklaces with lovely rondels or gold beads to help lengthen the strand. I do agree with @pattye that the uniqueness of this necklace lends itself to adding a few additional pearls to maintain the elegant style.
If you did go with roundels, you would need to add white gold roundels since the clasp is white gold and with the price of gold right now, you'd probably come out ahead finding some WSS baroque pearls to lengthen the strand.
Be sure to post a finished photo of your necklace once you've decided what you want to do!
Where did you find it? At an actual estate sale, or online?
 
MotherOfPearlTrumpet said:
I've purchased many vintage necklaces that were made for much smaller necks (from standard lengths in the past). I have several posts of necklaces with lovely rondels or gold beads to help lengthen the strand. I do agree with @pattye that the uniqueness of this necklace lends itself to adding a few additional pearls to maintain the elegant style.
If you did go with roundels, you would need to add white gold roundels since the clasp is white gold and with the price of gold right now, you'd probably come out ahead finding some WSS baroque pearls to lengthen the strand.
Be sure to post a finished photo of your necklace once you've decided what you want to do!
Where did you find it? At an actual estate sale, or online?
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply. I have started reaching out to a few retailers to inquire as to their white baroque south sea inventories...If that proves more difficult than planned (either cost [don't want 4 more pearls costing more than the whole necklace!] or difficulty in matching luster/color), I am thinking white gold diamond rondels will be my Plan B, and thinking probably placing them every third pearl, so only about 6 rondels total, as I don't want them "overpowering" the existing look. Thanks for sharing your page. You have wonderful pieces..."creations" is probably the better word. True artwork! And, I purchased it from an estate jeweler on King Street in Charleston.
 
novice859 said:
Thanks for your reply. I have started reaching out to a few retailers to inquire as to their white baroque south sea inventories...If that proves more difficult than planned (either cost [don't want 4 more pearls costing more than the whole necklace!] or difficulty in matching luster/color), I am thinking white gold diamond rondels will be my Plan B, and thinking probably placing them every third pearl, so only about 6 rondels total, as I don't want them "overpowering" the existing look. Thanks for sharing your page. You have wonderful pieces..."creations" is probably the better word. True artwork! And, I purchased it from an estate jeweler on King Street in Charleston.
Click to expand...
I have already reached out to Pearl Source and Pure Pearls, who were unable to assist with finding loose pearls to match. Pearl Paradise confirmed they can try to assist. Other options I've seen on this forum are Pearlescent based in the UK. Wonder if anyone knows of any other retailers who (1) sell loose pearls and (2) have a large enough inventory and means to help "match" the pearls? I'd appreciate any other leads. While Etsy has wonderful sellers, I am a bit fearful of quality and "match" of anything listed there.
 
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novice859 said:
Thank you for the reply and information. Do you know his username?
Click to expand...
Cees Van Oije, of Amsterdam Pearls. @Cees (pronounced like "case") is a member of this forum also, as well as having an Instagram account under his name.
I bought my golden SSP from him. Reliable and helpful. Ships from Bangkok (mentioning this if US tariffs or the cost of potentially returning pearls are a concern).
 
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