136" baroque akoya rope

[JerseyPearl]

Love all the looks! How did you attach the pendant with the citrine (guessing that it's some sort of yellow quartz/citrine...gorgeous) ?

 

[BWeaves]

I love the asymmetrical looks.

 

[Sanippy]

Absolutely gorgeous! I love how versatile this piece is.

 

[Tucs]

Wow, gorgeous and looks so much fun to wear!

 

[lmgarden]

Thank you everybody for your kind words! I do find this rope so versatile and fun to play with. I sometimes wonder if the flapper who owned this rope is watching me play with her pearls, AND what the rope had seen when she wore it in the 1920's!

CathyKeshi, the citrine enhancer is a Cartier piece my dad bought from a true Lady in northern England. I believe originally it was a pin, but she had the enhancer placed many years prior. Back then I suspect pearls were not as large as they are today - it won't fit on anything larger than 9-10mm pearl.

 

[kojimapearl]

Wow, this is fantastic! What a great spread of photos. I love the layers of different sizes and of course.. GO GO GO dramatic bracelets! I am so impressed with your pearl fashion mixing skills! Keep up the good work!

 

[ckrickett]

Wowowow!!!!!!

 

[lmgarden]

Thank you, cricket!

Thank you, Sarah. Your bracelets work with everything...love wearing them!

 

[Happy Huku]

Stunning! Love the different looks - your mabe ring could always be adapted to wear with the rope if you don't like it as a ring!

 

[lmgarden]

Greetings all - it’s been a while since I’ve posted!
So I finally decided I must restring my akoya flapper rope! My mom doesn’t remember if she had it restrung when she had it. The original owner my dad bought it from had it restrung once since the early 1920’s. It’s definitely time. They’ve yellowed throughout the decades, but a nice bath in Dr Bonner’s soap might brighten them up a bit - considering their age they have a good luster. I need encouragement- please wish me luck!!

 

[baby nurse]

lmgarden, it’s so good to see you! I love this rope, everything about it, the type/color/luster of the pearls, the history behind the piece. So glad to see this thread revived. Best of luck working with your rope and share as many pictures as you can!

 

[jeg]

lmgarden! Hi! Hi! Hi! I am so happy to see you! Oh my, good luck with that project. I’m rooting for you!

 

[Marianne]

Wishing you a blister and cramp free fun few days!!!

 

[BWeaves]

Good luck! Have you considered adding an orbit clasp to the rope? I always find it easier to string if there's a clasp at my starting end. Plus it gives a few more possibilities for wear.

 

[lmgarden]

Thank you for your kind words, baby nurse! It’s been months seen I’ve been on the site, but I always have pearls on my mind! It’s going to take days/weeks to go back and drool over all all these threads... especially yours!

Jeg, I’m sure you and the traveling pearl are having great fun in the sun - I live through you!

Marianne, I don’t usually wear band-aids when I string, but I think I’m gonna need to this time!

BWeaves, you read my mind! I think I might reduce the length to 100 inches with an orbit clasp, and use the remaining pearls for this Victorian bracelet in need of better pearls. The pearls are not original to the bracelet - likely they were naturals, considering its age. I do think the pearls on the clasp are naturals. I might consider turning it into a necklace, but I might get better use of it as a bracelet.

 

[BWeaves]

Oooooh, yeah! Definitely.

 

[CathyKeshi]

Delighted to see you here That’s a great project ... some kind of finger protectors for sure! I’m sure it will be wonderful. That clasp is divine!!!

 

[Marianne]

Voting to keep that gorgeous clasp on a bracelet. 1) you can see it w/o having to find a mirror. 2) stringing a nesting 4 strand necklace is a PIA!

 

[2thdktr]

lmgarden, I really enjoyed reading this thread and seeing how you styled this rope, especially loved the citrine Cartier enhancer and the other Victorian enhancer that you showed. Love your antiques, I am somewhat of a collector and those are beautiful. Yes , the clasp from the bracelet would look wonderful as a necklace.... as long as you will wear it. Please keep us posted as you progress in your project.

I also appreciated that Purr posted the 100 rope thread from 2014 as I have a rope I'd like to try to braid.

 

[amti]

How did I miss your super long strand before? Best of luck stringing, and I love, love, love the clasp! Please keep it as a bracelet!