How to Knot Pearls or Restring Pearls

How to knot pearls or restring your own pearl necklaces.

Kari's Mother on a Pearl Buying Trip

The best way to learn how is to watch it being done.
If pearl necklaces, or bracelets are worn often so the thread is soiled (which weakens it), and it seems that you need jewelry cleaners, if the thread is broken, if the clasp is broken, or if you want to upgrade the clasp...

You have two choices...

Professional services, which will be done well and right...and for a price.

Or...You can attempt it yourself.

After all...If it doesn't turn out the way you like...Try it again...or take it to a jeweler.

Yes, it is possible.

If your strand is valuable it is recommended that you have a professional re-knot it for you. However, after some practice on a cheaper necklace, maybe an artificial pearl necklace...You may want to give it a try on your real pearls.
The present clasp can be used if you're happy with it.

I've found that Michael's, Hobby Lobby and Ben Franklin Craft stores carry a wide variety of clasps to help you get started in learning how to knot pearls.

OK...

Let's get started....

First things first....

wash your hands...that way the white silk or synthetic thread will stay white while you learn how to knot pearls, plus it's easier to work with those pearls with squeaky clean hands.

NEEDED SUPPLIES for Knotting Pearls

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1. Beading needle, which is a very fine needle which fits through the hole in the pearl. It makes learning how to knot pearls possible, but one lady I know makes her own needle out of beading wire, simply by folding it over and cutting it into a point.

2. Thread. This comes in a variety of colors, but the most common is white. Either silk or synthetic thread works well. When using silk thread, I use size E.

(Mikimoto has just come out with breast cancer awareness jewelry that uses pink silk thread on white pearls...an interesting twist.)

3. A match or lighter for burning off the loose ends of the synthetic thread. This isn't needed if using silk thread.

4. Something to keep the pearls in as you learn how to knot pearls or restring them...a non-rolling surface or tray (a large piece of felt or foam works well)...you'll want to keep the order of the pearls, especially if they are graduated in size.

Another option with graduated pearls is to have the string and needle ready and thread each one on as you take them off.

5. Scissors for cutting apart the necklace and for cutting the new silk thread.

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STEPS FOR HOW TO KNOT PEARLS OR RESTRING PEARLS

2. Thread needle Make sure your thread is plenty long. The tiny knots in between each pearl take more thread than usually anticipated. It's very frustrating to be almost finished tying the knots on a necklace to find out there's not quite enough string...then it must be started all over again. Be generous with your strand...at least three times the length of your necklace.

...Threading the needle is a Three Step process

FIRST: Take about 10 inches

of silk thread, cut it off and separate it into 4 strands.

THIRD: Cut off a generous (at least three times the length of your necklace) strand of thread, double it over and put the loose ends through the fine loop you've already made, pulling them through far enough to avoid them easily slipping out. Yes, there will be some waste...but nothing much.

Your needle is now threaded.

Now for the fun part of how to knot pearls.

3. Cut off one of the clasp ends and loop the thread through it....no need for a knot here, simple thread the beading needle and thread through the hole in the clasp and reloop back through the "hole" in the thread....Presto...1/2 of the clasp is attached. I find it helpful to tie a knot right away close to the clasp.

You're coming along fine in learning how to knot pearls. Keep up the good work!

4. Remove pearls from necklace by cutting the old thread. This can be done, one at a time, starting at the same end where clasp was removed, in which case, the pearl will be strung immediately on the thread.

Or the pearls can be removed all at once, being careful to lay them in the same order. If they were knotted, you'll need to cut between each one...otherwise, they may all come off too quickly, so be careful not to let them fly away from you.

5. String all pearls on the thread. There should be plenty of extra thread. So at this stage...your pearls are literally "restrung", but wait...you're not finished yet.

6. At this point the needle should be removed and a double knot tied at the end where the thread has 2 loose ends. This prevents the pearls from slipping off while you tie knots.

7. Starting at the end where the clasp has been looped on, tie a knot close to the first pearl.

I find it helpful to hold the loop down on the pearl and tighten. Then separate the threads and "pull" them open close to the knot. I do this after each knot. It helps set the knot close to the pearl.

Putting a needle through the knot and using it to guide the knot tightly against the pearls also can help. It's good to start out this way!

This is where practice comes in handy. It's not as easy as it seems to keep these knots close to the pearl. After a few tries, or maybe a few necklaces of experimenting, you'll develop a system which works for you. Don't expect your first necklace to have tight fitting knots...only practice brings this. The girls who used to make our pearl necklaces taught us how to knot pearls or restring pearls….and they get their whole family…brothers, mothers and fathers involved in knotting...getting our necklaces, bracelets and earrings ready for us as we order them…it’s fun to see families working together and we're glad they taught us how to knot pearls. And they are fast…We don’t ever plan to match their speed.

8. After a nice tight knot is tied between each pearl, thread on the remaining 1/2 clasp, tie a good double knot, cut the thread and if using silk thread add a tiny dot of super glue or if using synthetic thread, flick with a small flame to melt the small loose ends.

It's happened to probably all of us, to hold the flame just a second too long....and POOF....it burns through, undoing the knots on the clasp...ruining your whole job. If so, smile, and repeat process...a sense of humor is a good thing to keep with you when learning to how to knot pearls or restring pearls.

CONGRATULATIONS!....You've just completed your first knotting or restringing.

Click here for a second, simpler method of how to knot pearls.

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