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Pearl stringing and knotting

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Pearl stringing and knotting

Pearls are traditionally strung on silk thread with a knot between each one. That way they do not rub, and if the thread breaks, only one pearl is lost.

Steps of the technique: Prepare the thread, Attach the tip, Pass the pearl, Knot, Repeat, Finish
Summary of the steps

Materials #

Silk (or nylon) thread of the thickness of the hole, a flexible needle, tweezers, a knotting tool and bead tips (calottes) to attach the clasp.

How it is done #

  1. Pass the needle through the first pearl, make a knot to hold it and glue.
  2. With tweezers or the tool, form a knot snug against the pearl.
  3. Repeat pearl by pearl.
  4. Finish with the bead tip and clasp.

When to restring #

Silk thread stretches and gets dirty: restring pearls every few years if you wear them often.

Other stringing #

Stone beads are mounted on flexible steel wire or cord, without knots.

Step by step #

  1. Prepare the thread. Cut the thread and wax it if it is silk.
  2. Attach the tip. Knot it and secure with a bead tip (calotte).
  3. Pass the pearl. Thread it with a flexible needle.
  4. Knot. Make a knot snug against the pearl.
  5. Repeat. Pearl by pearl.
  6. Finish. Close with another tip and the clasp.

Tools and materials #

  • Silk or nylon thread
  • Flexible needle and tweezers
  • Knotting tool
  • Bead tips and clasp (clasps)

Common mistakes #

  • Thread too thick for the hole.
  • Loose knots: pearls slide.
  • Thread too short.
  • Using too much glue.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.