Vintage graduated Akoya strand from consignment shop

[Pearl Dreams]

True, but my funds for unnecessary stuff (and all my hobbies fall into that category) are quite limited right now, so I am picking and choosing....

I should be able to finish the strand tomorrow or Saturday and I'll post photos when done. It is not without flaws, and the luster isn't top quality, but it's my only graduated strand, and my only non-baroque akoya strand-- so that makes it special.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I stayed up to finish them!

The knots hardly added any length...the finished strand is 18.25" long. Would have been 18" but I made the gimp a bit too long.

Neck shot tomorrow when I have natural light.

Paper towel is white, but under this daylight fluorescent lamp it comes out too blue.

I hope some of the folks who come here, having inherited such a strand (and wondering what they have) will see how nicely these strands clean up, and that they are worth restringing.

 

[pattye]

It looks beautiful! Tidy little knots, elegant! Waiting for the neck shot!

 

[KarinK]

You did a great job - and what a steal!

- Karin

 

[lisa c]

Congratulations again, It's lovely!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Thanks ladies-- I tried a number of shots next to the door this morning but it's raining, and anything lower than ISO 800 doesn't come out focused. I'll try again when the sun decides to come out! Meanwhile this gives you an idea of how it hangs:

Edit:
Well, that didn't come out too bad.

I'd say they have medium luster, and higher luster (and better overtones) in the smallest pearls. I'm satisfied.

 

[lisa c]

Wow! Restringing really tightened it up. They're going to give you lots of joy!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Yes, it did-- the PowerPro makes tight, small knots. I knotted back through the end 6 pearls from the clasp.

I think at some point I'm going to restring some of my other pearls with it but I'll need to buy the 20# for the other strands.

 

[pattye]

Just lovely, and a very wearable length.

 

[Happy Huku]

What a great buy and what a fantastic cleanup, they look great on and off. I am most impressed with your perseverance and beautiful re-stringing. And, as Pattye said, a very wearable length. You will have many happy hours wearing those. My Grandmother gave me her strand of graduated pearls, very similar. I loved them and wore them to bits - sadly most of the little ones have died, probably from youthful carelessness on my part but I have added gemstone beads to them - you might be able to get an idea in my avatar. So, 30 odd years later, I am still enjoying them!
Enjoy yours too!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

accidental duplicate post

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Thank you , ladies! Happy Huku, how wonderful for you to have had pearls from your grandmother. No one in my family wore or owned pearls, other than imitations and a few earrings.

This afternoon the clasp on these broke! Fortunately I'd made these huge gimp loops and was able to cut the broken clasp free and attach another clasp (lobster claw this time) with jump rings.



If anyone who has a vintage strand of these wants to learn how to restring them, see my recently-posted Tutorial with photos:

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6942

 

[Marianne]

Lovely, just lovely. Absolutely need to take them on a night out on the town!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I just read that to my husband, and he said, "You pick someplace and we can go."

Woo-hoo!

 

[Happy Huku]

Sorry to hear about the clasp, at least now they will be safe on their evening out!
Have a great night out!

 

[KarinK]

i just read that to my husband, and he said, "you pick someplace and we can go."

woo-hoo! :d

Way to go...

 

[GemGeek]

Pearl-Guide, enhancing marital happiness!

 

[Amanda]

I just read that to my husband, and he said, "You pick someplace and we can go."

Woo-hoo!

There are worse spousal responses!

 

[Happy Huku]

Just wondering about an up-date on the 'take the pearls out' to dinner?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Not yet, but the pearls have gone out with me many times! I had them on all day yesterday.