Repairs / Pearl restringing
Pearl
restringing & knotting.
Pearls on tired, stretched silk are a break waiting to happen. We restring and hand-knot at our Diss workshop, so one weak thread never scatters a whole strand. A family workshop in Diss since 1975.
Pearl thread stretches, soils and weakens over time. Restringing on fresh silk with a knot between each pearl keeps them from rubbing, and means one break never scatters the lot.
Hand-knotted, the proper way. Each pearl is individually knotted on fresh silk, sized to the strand, so the pearls sit evenly and can’t chafe against one another.
Clasps and length too. While it’s apart we can refresh a worn clasp or adjust the length, and gently clean the pearls before they go back together.
How much does restringing cost?
A standard single strand starts from around £35. Longer strands, multiple rows, or fitting a new clasp cost a little more, usually £50–£75. As our prices move with the gold price, we’ll always confirm before any work begins.
How often should pearls be restrung?
If you wear them often, every couple of years. Pearls worn against the skin pick up oils and scent that weaken the silk, so regular wearers benefit from more frequent restringing.
Why knot between each pearl?
Knotting stops the pearls rubbing together and, should the thread ever break, keeps you from losing more than a single pearl.
Can you restring other beads, not just pearls?
Yes. Coral, semi-precious beads and graduated strands are all welcome. Bring it in and we’ll advise on the best thread for the piece.
Before a string scatters.