How do I find someone to restring a pearl necklace?

[xeresana]

I have a pearl necklace that needs to be restrung. But, I have no idea where to take it or how to find out who strings pearls. Should a jewelry store be able to do it? I really can't think of any local stores that have a good enough pearl selection to make me think they're hiding a pearl stringing team in their back room. I'm in Austin, Texas. I'd like to have them done locally if possible. Any recommendations? Any ideas where I might find someone?

Thanks!!

 

[Taylor]

Austin is a fairly large town so there should be someone there who can help you. I'd look for an independent, not a chain, store. Usually you can find ads in the phonebook advertising they do re-stringing. I don't think many, if any, stores have stringers on site anymore. They almost all consign work and it requires a week or so. The older books on pearls suggest that all jewelers be able to restring so they can fix a necklace in a pinch for a good customer. I haven't found any outside very large cities. I would suggest that you read some of the discussions in the Lowly Beaders and other forums about options for stringing and make a written list of your requirements for your jeweler/stringer. It might include: single or double knots, French wire or not, white thread or shaded, silk or not. I'm no expert so if you can ask for other opinions or recommendations you should be satisfied. Good luck.

 

[jshepherd]

I would be inclined to agree with Taylor.

You can still bring your pearls to nearly any jeweler, but they always send them out, and they will charge you a fortune. $3-$4 per inch is not out of the question.

You do not necessarily need a jewelry store to string your pearls, however. There must be a beading and crafts store in the Austin area. Many store like this have stringers in house. They will do the best job (they knot all day, every day), and should only charge you $10-$15 per 18-inch strand.

 

[xeresana]

Those are great ideas. I've checked out some beading threads on the site and I think I've found a beading store in town that can restring the strand.

Thanks!