Pearl necklace, with or without knots ? - YouLookFab Forum

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Pearl necklace, with or without knots ?

anna

Hi, I received a nice pearl necklace for my birthday and went in to the jewelers today to get it threaded. It was given to me not threaded in case I wanted to exchange it or choose another lock for it. I was asked if I wanted it knotted or not. This surprised me as I thought it standard procedure to make a knot between each pearl. The saleslady expressed a strong preference for not knotting, she liked that look better. Since I had not given this any thought previously I would like to ask : what do you prefer ? Do the two varieties give different style impressions ?

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15 replies

Latest reply was from StacyJo

rosee

Veteran

it may be old news, but I've heard that knotting prevents the pearls from bumping against one another and the related friction. It also holds the pearl in place on the string. Maybe you just have a lazy sales clerk /jeweller.

Wait for Angie's response though, she obviously knows pearls a lot better.

Debbie

Veteran

I have always been todl that it is better to knot them. I think not knotting might have been this girls personal preference.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think knotting them gives a more polished finish.

Steph

Veteran

I would 100% knot. I don't think that it looks nicer to have them not knotted--in fact, I think it makes it look like they are cheap, imitation pearls, as I have never seen quality pearls just strung and not knotted.

Knotting pearls is also better in case the string breaks at any point (which does happen after awhile), the knotting will keep most of the pearls on the string, and you will only have to go searching for the two that fell off at the point where the string broke. If the strand were unknotted, all of the pearls would fall off, and you could definitely end up with some lost pearls.

Knotting also allows you to have a far more fluid necklace. If they are just strung without knotting, your necklace will either be too stiff (because they are strung very tightly) or it will end up with too much space between the final pearls and the clasp (because it wasn't strung tightly enough). When it is knotted, the knotting allows each pearl to kind of move on its own, but as part of the whole necklace. That is probably not the best way to put it, but since I make jewelry I have played around with this a lot, and that is definitely what I have noticed, and what other people I know have said as well.

I also agree with rosee that knotting the pearls keeps protects them from hitting each other constantly.

So I would say knot!

Lynne

Veteran

I prefer the look of knotting for round pearls, and unknotted for freshwater, or seed pearls. Can't comment on the technicalities, so I am watching this thread for Angie's advice...

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Scarlet, how kind of you to write such elaborate explanation.

anna

Thank you all for great advice, I will definately call them tomorrow and tell them that I want it knotted, I was just a bit taken by surprise today by how strongly this lady tried to persuade me not to knot them.

Aida

Veteran

Absolutely have them knotted if they are real pearls. If they come back stiff, then you can "milk" the strand: pinch one end with one hand and lightly squeeze in your other and pull gently up and down the strand. It allows the knots to settle and gives them some flexibility. Ideally this would be done during the knotting but many people just do it at the end (which works fine).

Anonymous

No knots

Aziraphale

Veteran

This seems like a question that's custom-made for Angie. I've never been lucky enough to have a string of real pearls, but what everyone says about the drawbacks of not knotting -- the pearls rubbing together, the whole nine yards spilling all over the floor should the string break -- makes sense.

I do have a string of fake but kind of cool antique pearls that belonged to my grandmother. There are knots between those, and I think it looks good.

Aida

Veteran

Even if they're glass, especially a weighty glass, I would suggest having them knotted. It really doesn't take that long nor is it difficult, I don't know why the jeweler pressed you to not knot it.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I have my glass pearls knotted; they look more expensive and less dollar-store cheap ... I do look for knotting in other people's pearls too; maybe I'm a pearl snob!

I just thought that the pearls were knotted so if I ripped the silk string, then I wouldn't lose them all! LOL.

Sparky

Veteran

I can't imagine not having real pearls knotted on their string, for all the reasons mentioned. I've had my pearl necklace break suddenly (after going way too many years without having them re-stringed properly, bad me!) and didn't lose a single pearl. Chalk that up to their being properly knotted on the string.

Lynne

Veteran

bumping for Angie...

StacyJo

(website)

Anna,

What a great gift!

Always knot. I concure with Steph. Knotting keeps the pearls in better condition and is a more polished look. I will admit I am a pearl snob (have quite a few strands, both real and faux). My faux pearls look like my more expensive strands because they are knotted.

Knotting itself can be an easy procedure to do yourself. It just takes patience and the the correct tools.

Stacy