Large strand help with color and type

[JSP]

Hello - I recently acquired this 18 inch necklace from an antique mall, it was mixed in with modern fashion necklaces. I'm hoping to get advice on what type of pearls these are, color and restringing ideas. I really want to wear these for the holidays coming up!

The pearls measure in the range of 12.3 - 12.8 mm, but I am not sure what type they are. Can you tell based on the pictures provided?

Also, am I correct to say the color is champaign? Last night they seemed even darker I was originally thinking mocha but in daylight they really lightened up.

I have only wiped them down with a soft damp cloth. I feel they need a bath which I would do using distilled water as described in other threads. But I am wondering if I should first remove the "thread" that was used first? It appears to me someone used a copper coated type of wire. I would like to restring them so there are knots in between each, I really like that look.

Thank you in advance for your expertise!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

They are cultured freshwater pearls from China.

I'm on the fence as to whether they are dyed...I'm not sure if what I'm seeing is dirt or concetrations of dye. The lavender color could be natural. There is enough variation in the colors of the pearls that I am leaning toward natural color. After you have washed them, look them over carefully to see if you see any dye concentrations in pits or blemishes.

You could go ahead and wash them with the wire, just to hold them together, and after they are clean you could string them onto a piece of clean white thread to scrub out the drill holes. And then restring them. Or string them now onto the white thread to clean them.

If you are going to use Serafil to restring them (which I recommend), Pattye can advise you about color and thickness of thread. Not sure if you'd do better with size #30 or size #20 thread; it depends on the size of the drill holes.
Pattye's shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PatriciaSaabDesigns

Have you seen my restringing 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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[JSP]

Thank you so much for the info. I've got them drying now and I'll see what they look like in the daylight tomorrow. They were only $8.00 so I can't go wrong. Thank you for the links I will definitely try re-stringing, I have another one to re-string as well that this forum advised me about that I never did. I really do love pearls, just don't know enough so again thank you for your help!