Calling rope owners

[KarinK]

I'm getting convinced that a rope would be something I'd use a lot with my current wardrope. But what length?

Perhaps people here could chime in with length and size (preferably photo as well) of their pearl rope(s)? Comments about wearing one are welcome too. There are some posts scattered over PG. I thought it would be useful to have them in one place

- Karin

 

[LitGeek]

I have a 36" 5.5mm akoya necklace from Pearl Paradise that I absolutely love! I was inspired by THIS POST from Hisano on the Pearl Paradise blog. I find it very lightweight and easy to wear long or doubled.

 

[pearlescence]

The longer the more versatile -our 10ft one is popular

 

[luminous]

I have a 36 inch and a 60 inch. I prefer the 60 to the 36-it is endless (no clasp) and can be worn in so many more ways. It's very easily doubled or tripled and you can do fancy stuff with it as well. I had a 100 inch rope but got rid of it. It was too much for me. BAS has an amazing 144 incher but she was SMART and had it make in sections so she can wear parts of it at one time if she chooses. That was brilliant.

 

[pattye]

Karin,

I LOVE ropes and the whole idea of versatile pieces of pearl jewelry. For doubled, 36-40 inch are good lengths, but would need a clasp; figure what single length you like best and double it. Since you can make your own, it can be totally customized. Also in the neighborhood of 60 inches is very useful, as Luminous pointed out. I'd probably put a clasp on it, though (at least for myself). Since you are tall, Karin, I'd go with the approx 60 inch because I feel you would look especially terrific with it doubled.

My l o n g pondslime purplish/brown rope is 109 inches. Because the pearls are large and heavy it isn't for daily wear, but I enjoy looking down and seeing the overtones. It's easy to wrap 5 times. The photo is somewhere in the 16 pages of 100 Inch Rope Challenge a thread which I'd consider a must read!

 

[pattye]

Just wanted to add that for an approx 60 inch rope, one would use 4 strands of 15-16 inch pearls, have enough pearls to pick some especially nice ones for earrings, and allow for throwing away a few duds (there usually are some). Knotting between every pearl would probably add about 1 1/2-2 inches plus the length of clasp.

 

[KarinK]

Just wanted to add that for an approx 60 inch rope, one would use 4 strands of 15-16 inch pearls, have enough pearls to pick some especially nice ones for earrings, and allow for throwing away a few duds (there usually are some). Knotting between every pearl would probably add about 1 1/2-2 inches plus the length of clasp.

And this is why I'm thinking I'll actually have to buy this one ready made. Finding four well matched strands over the internet below ready made PP-prices looks like a daunting task... I was leaning towards 50"'and will proabably wait until next time there is a general discount. That would be November - too long but sadly I need Lightroom software, a couple of portable harddisks more and quite a few submission fees. That should teach me to move from jewelry making to photography The materials are a lot less fun to buy.

- Karin

 

[BAS]

KarinK -- I have a 144" rope made of AAA 6.5 to 7 mm white CFW pearls separated into three sections (75", 49" and 20"). The section I use most by far is the 75" section. I wear that one tripled, usually, or quadrupled. The clasps can all be hidden behind the neck when worn as one long piece. The piece I wear least is the 20" section. It was supposed to be used as a bracelet but is a few pearls too short. So I agree with Pearlescence that a 10 foot rope would be ideal. And if you want versatility -- I suggest making it in sections with the least conspicuous clasps you can.

 

[Sea Urchin]

I like 7 to 8.5mm and 48 (or 50) inches best. I don't usually wear short strands, so 48 inch is a nice length for me to double. Also, I think it looks better knotted than my 36 inch strand, which seems "too much knot."

And, for how I wear them (doubled or knotted) 48 inch is fine with no clasp. I prefer the way endless pearls look. Also, I don't like to mix my jewelry metal colors, so no clasp means no problem.

I don't get really dressed up much and while 48 inch seems fine with shorts or jeans, for me, longer than that feels a bit overdone. But when I do get dressed up, 48 inch does not seem underdone.

 

[newberry]

I have ropes all different lengths from 100 inches down to 30. My favorite is 42 inches that I can wear doubled for a shorter look or 74 that I do wear doubled for a double long rope look. One thing on any length for me at least is a clasp.

 

[pearl-man]

60 " (.75 M) rope and comments

60 " (.75 M) rope and comments

Over the years we have made quite a few ropes because of the versatility. I agree with pattye that a clasp, small, we use spring ring, or spring rings, some times 2 or three 30" of different colors or sizes can be put together depending on what ever the mood suites the customers. they can be clasped together, say a 30" (76mm) in a white 4mm, same in a black round FWCP, then a color, they can be twisted, layered or what ever. Years ago akoya costs prevented this fashionable touch. Today its quite easy and inexpensive.

Karin,

I LOVE ropes and the whole idea of versatile pieces of pearl jewelry. For doubled, 36-40 inch are good lengths, but would need a clasp; figure what single length you like best and double it. Since you can make your own, it can be totally customized. Also in the neighborhood of 60 inches is very useful, as Luminous pointed out. I'd probably put a clasp on it, though (at least for myself). Since you are tall, Karin, I'd go with the approx 60 inch because I feel you would look especially terrific with it doubled.

My l o n g pondslime purplish/brown rope is 109 inches. Because the pearls are large and heavy it isn't for daily wear, but I enjoy looking down and seeing the overtones. It's easy to wrap 5 times. It's photo is somewhere in the 16 pages of 100 Inch Rope Challenge a thread which I'd consider a must read!

 

[BAS]

pearl-man -- I like that idea of three colors that can be worn separately, or together, and twisted into a beautiful torsade! Why does my wish list never shrink?! Why? Why?

 

[pattye]

pearl-man -- I like that idea of three colors that can be worn separately, or together, and twisted into a beautiful torsade! Why does my wish list never shrink?! Why? Why?

Great creative idea, Norm! so, so true, BAS~

 

[BAS]

KarinK -- Below are some pictures of different ways of styling the rope Hisano made for me. The rope is made of three sections that can be attached with the clasps -- 19 inches + 45 inches + 75 inches (the single most useful section is the 75" section):

Here is one style of wearing 125" of my 144" rope. The two clasps are behind my neck:



Here is the entire 144":



Here is the 75" section, the longest, styled two ways:

 

[KarinK]

I love those styles!

As you'll see elsewhere, I've shopped today for 70'' (5-5.5 mm.) and 30'' (4 mm.). We'll see how far that takes me - and I guess I need to model them on this thread once I'm done.

- Karin

 

[BAS]

Modelling is imperative!

 

[waimeamomi]

Do you think length also depends on pearl size? This is a 36" rope, but the pearls are 12mm and I'm not sure I would want it any longer. But that's just me. It has a toggle clasp. I put clasps on all my ropes because it gives them more wearing flexibility.

 

[BAS]

I agree -- large pearls would not feel comfortable in a super long rope, and I don't think they'd look as good. It's a proportion thing.

 

[LitGeek]

BAS love your rope knotted

waimeamomi your rope is lovely!

 

[waimeamomi]

Sooo hard to get the colors right. They are not that gold. Sort of a cross between Kasumi colored and pondslime.