Bought damaged 30"+ Mikimoto necklace - worth repairing?

[TallBlonde]

I just got a long (30"+) but damaged Mikimoto necklace. Single strand is broken and one pearl may be missing. There is something black/burnt looking between two other pearls, not sure they can be saved. All of the pearls are like 7mm. Clasp is vintage 14k. Color is pinky cream. Great luster and quality otherwise.

I contacted Mikimoto and they said it'll be ~$600 for me to get it a certification card and restring it. Is this worth it? I don't want to put a bunch of money into it if it won't even be valued at that.

Appreciate the help and guidance of the pearl experts here!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Obviously it needs to be restrung to be worn, but you can restring it yourself for very little money.
Many of us restring our own pearls; it isn't hard!

See my tutorial:

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

Dec 2, 2012

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...

• Pearl Dreams
• Replies: 394
• Forum: The Lowly Beaders' Club

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Of course you won't have a certificate, but since you are planning to wear it, not resell it, you could just skip the certification. And if you ever do want to sell it, the Mikimoto clasp will show what it is. The certificate would only show replacement value, not resale value. At resale you would just get what the market will bear-- whatever people are willing to pay at the time.