Restringing jade

[MMtwo]

Hi all,

I’ve been on a jade kick lately and found what I believe to be untreated lavender jade from a Nashville pawn shop on eBay, priced just for the value of the clasp. After consulting with a gemologist who specializes in jade, she also thinks they may be natural. I’m over the moon because this would usually be out of my price range. Each bead is about 8mm in size. The variance in color suggests a failed dye job, and the slight differences in each bead’s color point to them being natural, I think.

I’ve been considering re-stringing them before sending them to Mason Kay. I’ve already ordered the purple Serifil from Pattye.

Here is my dilemma: a few beads have uneven holes, and I’m worried this will affect the stability of the knots. Any tips for this issue?

Also, I’m thinking of removing the two darkest beads to improve uniformity. Would you recommend doing that, or should I leave them in? I believe removing the darkest two would greatly enhance the strand’s appearance.


Vendor's photos

 

[pattye]

Beautiful jade beads, wish I knew more about jadeite jade! If you have plenty of length, of course remove the dark beads.
As for the beads with uneven holes:
1. Test with your planned thread size (thank you so much for your purchase!) and make sure knots block the holes well. If the hole is large, perhaps it can be used near the clasp if doubling back through beads to finish.
2. I have occasionally had to insert a tiny seed bead or 2 to fill in a "blown out" drill hole. This will allow the knot to sit level with the edge of the hole, and be inconspicuous in the finished necklace.

 

[MMtwo]

Beautiful jade beads, wish I knew more about jadeite jade! If you have plenty of length, of course remove the dark beads.
As for the beads with uneven holes:
1. Test with your planned thread size (thank you so much for your purchase!) and make sure knots block the holes well. If the hole is large, perhaps it can be used near the clasp if doubling back through beads to finish.
2. I have occasionally had to insert a tiny seed bead or 2 to fill in a "blown out" drill hole. This will allow the knot to sit level with the edge of the hole, and be inconspicuous in the finished necklace.

Oh perfect! Thank you so much. The seed bead idea is a great one. I also like that idea for using the larger ones to double back. Looking forward to getting the beads here and start stringing. Thanks, for the help, as always Pattye!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Non-uniform colours may support natural colour. And yes, bad dye might too. Beads are less likely to be resin filled, which is likely why your expert suggested natural. All good observations.

Undersized holes can be made bigger with a diamond round file, but may affect how the bead nests later.

It's a pretty strand.

 

[MMtwo]

Thanks for the input, @Lagoon Island Pearls. I definitely want them restrung before I send them in. If they are A jade, I don't want the ID picture to have the old string and dark beads. I'll pop back in when I know.

Good to know how to make the holes a little bigger if needed.