Comments on: How Do I String Pearls or Beads Without Wire?

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 00:28:33 +0000

In reply to Elizabeth. Elizabeth, thanks for sharing your technique for this! :)

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 00:03:03 +0000

I have used C-Lon with Freswater pearls, seperating the pearls with a size 11 Miyuki Delica seed bead. I stiffen the end of C-Lon with clear nail polish or super glue then cut the tip at an angle for a self needle. Size 14 works for pearls. Size 19 for heavier beads. You can finish with bead tips andknot the end overhand and seal with nail polish. Do not use super glue as it will make the cord brittle over time. You cannot crimp CLon.

By: Sue Shade

Sue Shade — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 19:54:03 +0000

Sheila, all of these ladies have excellent advice for you. What I would add is that for glass pearls I also use a Beadalon or Fireline that is thin strands of wire coated. They both come in various sizes. Your top necklace drapes well. One caution in using wire with real pearls is that the wire can cut through natural pearls. All the best in your jewelry making.

By: Sheila Meador

Sheila Meador — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 08:42:24 +0000

I appreciate the information you gave me, Autumn. I do use wire guards sometimes and crimp cover beads thact work like the clam shell you all describe.

By: Sheila Meador

Sheila Meador — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:54:09 +0000

Thank you for sharing this with me, Angela.

By: Autumn

Autumn — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:10:06 +0000

Sheila, I use Griffin silk and nylon thread, #1-4 depending on the pearl size. You can by carded thread (which I do) that have needles attached, or spools where you can choose your own length. While spools may be more economical (depending on your source), the convenience of carded thread is a plus for me – and I can save the scraps for future use. Mostly I use those scraps for color and size matching.

For a pearl-only necklace I use silk. Nylon is only used for bracelets and gemstones, as it’s stronger. As Mary said, pearl knotting is time consuming. It’s frustrating, mind-numbing, eye-blurring…and yet very rewarding. It often takes me a few days to make a single necklace (regardless of the length) due to the amount of patience and repetition strain on my hands.

As for clasps, I personally like “wire guards”. While they do show a bit of thread, I consider this a a sort of bonus for the customer, since it can help them determine when their string is “dirty enough” to require replacement, rather than going by the knots. You can see examples at FireMountian Gems. I tried clam shell clasps and did not like them at all, nor French wire or glue. Those are my experiences and choices, however.

For tools, I recommend extra beading needles and a tiny knitting needle. My knitting needle/knotter is 1mm thick. Some use tweezers or just their fingers. Like all jewelry, the choices are really up to you.

Hope this helps, and happy jewelry making!

By: Angela Darmali

Angela Darmali — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:05:40 +0000

I use 0.5mm-0.6mm nylon thread, a single strand for very small stones, pearls, beads, or crystals, and a double strand for bigger ones, which provides both strength and flexibility. For big and heavy stones I use 0.7 -0.8mm nylon thread. I also use cords to string more valuable pearls. Agree with Sarah on the use of clam shells to finish and connect clasps; they give a neater finish. Hope this helps.
Angela

By: Sheila Meador

Sheila Meador — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 16:12:04 +0000

Thanks, Mary. I bet yours are beautiful.

By: Mary Wong

Mary Wong — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:04:50 +0000

I use #4 silk cords to string and knot each Swarovski pearl. (Learned by watching youtube tutorials). It is time consuming (3 hours for a 42″ necklace) but the result is a flowing, fluid necklace. I’ve not used this method for freshwater pearls and the smaller holes may require a smaller silk cord. I use Griffin silk bead cords (German brand) and the 2 meter cord comes with a needle.

By: Sheila Meador

Sheila Meador — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 12:03:46 +0000

Thank you for the detailed explanation, Sara.

By: Sarah S.

Sarah S. — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 16:21:25 +0000

I would not recommend any type of thread for stringing. While thread is used in beadweaving, in that situation it in reinforced by multiple passes through the beads. For a stringing project it just would not hold up. Real pearls are frequently strung on silk cord with a knot between each bead. Often that comes with a built in “needle” end to the cord. Other options are s-lon or c-lon cord. You can also check for other beading wires. There are many different options for beading wire that will have different drapes and strengths for different projects. Gonna be honest though, the best is more expensive. Totally worth it though…

For most of the thin cords, you can use a clam shell finding at the end to connect a claps. This is a little round bead like bit. It opens in two, with a hole in the middle of the hinge side for the cord to pass through. You can then tie a knot (and glue if you want) then close the bead around it to hide the knot. On the open end there will be a loop to attach a jump ring or clasp.