Pearl & bead stringing is a very important part of keeping your jewelry safe and in good shape. However, few jewelers still offer this service!
We’ve been stringing pearls and beads for over 30 years, handling your most delicate and intricate pearl and bead stringing projects. We string your pearls and beads even if you didn’t purchase them from us.
When to Restring Your Pearls & Beads
When you notice small knots tied between each pearl, this is an indication that you’re looking at a strand of fine pearls. This stringing technique assures that if the strand breaks, only one or two of your pearls/beads will go flying off, leaving the rest of the strand intact.
However, you might be able to avoid this calamity if you check your strand for wear. Here are a few things to look for that indicate they need restringing:
- When you find so much space between the pearls that you’re able to move the pearl or bead along the string, indicating that it has stretched. With a freshly strung strand, you cannot move the pearls.
- Obviously, if you see fraying of the string, definitely have them restrung. Be sure to check around the clasp too.
- When you see some of the string is soiled and dirty looking. This can even discolor and damage your pearls or beads over time.
- Lastly, a broken clasp.
Other Reasons to Restring
- Update your pearls and beads by shortening or lengthening the strand. When lengthening a necklace or bracelet we curate matching pearls for your existing strand and expertly restring the strand incorporating the new beads.
- Combining strands and bracelets to make one long piece.
- Dividing a long strand into multiple strands or into a necklace and bracelet.
- You want to upgrade to a fancier clasp or add a pendant.
Pricing and Turnaround Time
Pricing
When BUYING pearls from Copeland’s, you’ll be able to get free in-house stringing at whatever length you desire.
We typically price jobs by the inch with a minimum fee. As of 2024, our minimum fee starts at $24 and $4.50 per inch with knotting. However, these prices could go up in the future. Call us for an estimate based on the length, complexity, clasp if needed, and whether you want your strand knotted. If your pearls/beads are expensive or sentimental, we highly recommend knotting to keep the loss of multiple pearls to a minimum if the strand gets broken. If they’re inexpensive you may want to opt out of knotting. We have no extra silk fees or handling fees that other places charge.
There will be an extra fee for a clasp if needed. We usually use a classic pearl clasp in white or yellow gold. Clasp prices are dependent on the type you choose with options in sterling silver costing less than yellow or white gold. We have catalogs of clasps to help you find lots of options if you’re looking for something besides the typical pearl clasp.
Bring in your pearls or beads and we’ll advise you on whether it’s time to restring them and give you a quote for the needed work.
Turnaround Time
We typically finish a stringing job within a week. However, let us know if you need them sooner and we can usually make it happen.
Standard Lengths of Pearl and Bead Strands
When considering the length of the pearl or beads you want there are some standard lengths to keep in mind: collar, choker, princess, matinee, and opera length. Remember to take into consideration the style you want to achieve as well as your comfort. A strand that’s too tight around your neck doesn’t just feel uncomfortable, it also looks uncomfortable. It’s key to find a balance between style and freedom of movement.
- Collar – about 12-13″ long. Usually, a multiple strand necklace that sits at the middle of the neck and usually worn on petite young women.
- Choker – about 14-16″ long. Normally sits at or above the collar bone.
- Princess – about 17-19″ long. An 18″ strand is the most popular length for its versatility and comfort, usually laying a little below the collar bone or mid chest.
- Matinee – about 20-24″ long. Once considered more formal but is now popular for casual wear and worn with business attire and suits. This length lays at the top of the bust line and is great for layering.
- Opera – about 24-54″ long. Perfect with formal wear. The most versatile of all, it can be worn long or doubled, tripled, or knotted for a vast variety of looks. At full length, this strand lays just above the midsection. Sometimes the longest versions are called rope length.
Any Kind of Pearl or Beads
We can string any kind of pearl or beads and have taken on just about everything. Over decades we have done stringing projects on classic round Akoyas, seed pearls, Tahitian & South Sea pearls, flat-shaped Mabe pearls, oddly shaped baroques, fake pearls, and coin pearls.
In addition, we have worked with faceted gemstones and so many different kinds of beads they’re too numerous to list. Our work has included classic simple single strands to very complicated configurations of multiple strands with big diamond clasps.