What do you think of the bigger strand?

[CharmedOne]

Hi, I would love to know what you think of the bigger pearls? I'm new to pearls because my husband doesn't like them but I have always loved them. I recently purchased several strands and was wondering what the larger pearls are. I know for sure that the smaller one are freshwater pearls. Thank you so much in advance for any help you can give me. I'm posting on an iPad so I really hope this works.

 

[KarinK]

What information do you have on the larger strand? A Tahitian strand this round would be quite pricy. My gut instinct says dyed freshwater but I don't know enough to be sure. Would you describe some of the pearls as slightly potato shaped? That's a pretty sure sign of freshwater.

- Karin

 

[pattye]

CharmedOne, Welcome!

Likely freshwater, color treated, from what I see also (agree with Karin). They look like a great size, but the coloring doesn't look quite like Tahitians. You might like to check out the thread below "show us your Tahitians" to see photos of Tahitian pearl jewelry to see how your pearls compare. Your photos are pretty good, thank you!

The forum here is full of us pearl lovers, lots of photos of all kinds of pearls, plus fascinating pearl related info! So hope you'll hang around awhile!

 

[CharmedOne]

Thank you so much for your replies. I'm sorry I do not know much about the pearls but the color is what I liked about them. They aren't as dark as the photo, they are a titanium kinda blue color and they have mint green, lavender, teal and bronze overtones. I rubbed two of them together and there is a gritty feel. I can't even bear the thought of rubbing them on my teeth lol so Im so glad this sight suggest rubbing two together. I bought them from a lady who was given a bunch of jewelry from her mother. They came in a satin box from a store called JB Robinson is about all I know of them. They are pretty dirty and I was thinking of washing them in my sons J & J baby wash. Can I use that? Thanks so much again for all your help. ~d

 

[pearlescence]

I'd say freshwaters.
They'd look a lot better knotted onto black silk
In fact the white silk is a bit of a givaway of chinese knotting, I suspect.

 

[CharmedOne]

Thank you o much for all you help.

 

[CharmedOne]

Thank you so much. I cleaned them and the look so much better. I am looking restringing them and I completely agree that they would look much on black silk. Thanks again. ~d

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Moss green Power Pro also goes well with black pearls. I used it when strung my dyed fwp.

 

[CharmedOne]

Thank you, Pearl Dreams. I will look into that. I hope restringing pearls isn't too difficult because it looks like I will have quite a few strands that will require a makeover.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Not hard at all-- see my tutorial stickied on the Lowly Beaders Club forum.

Just now I finished restringing a necklace of my mother's (ivory beads). I used 50# Power Pro, quadrupled (the beads have large holes).

But for my dyed FWP (11-11.5mm) I used 20# Power Pro, doubled. Probably 30# would also work well. The beauty of it is that the thread doesn't stretch, even with these heavier pearls.
link to photo of those pearls: https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10397&d=1221078748
(You can see the thread is dark enough to pass for black.)

 

[CharmedOne]

That necklace is delightful. Thank you for the info on your tutorial. I have been roaming this forum for hours now looking for something like that. I just noticed the Lowly Beaders Club forum and got distracted by all the beauties there. I will look for the tutorial later today. I just realized that I have been reading this forum for three hours. It's just a wealth of information that I wish I had stumbled upon earlier. Someone from another forum referred me to this forum, when I asked about restringing a Honora FW strand I purchased from ebay. So thank you so much for telling where to find it. Can you purchase the thread from a craft store like Michaels or do you have to buy it online? I will check back later today. I better get some shut eye before my 5 yo wakes up. Thanks again. ~d

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I buy my 10#, 20# and 30# Power Pro from artbeads.com. They often have frequent 20%-off coupons, so get on their email list.

50# comes in 150 yards and 300 yards; Walmart carries it or you can find it online (eBay, sporting goods stores etc-- it is fishing line, after all.)

 

[CharmedOne]

Thank you, I will have to research and figure out what the numbers mean I am not a fan of Walmart, so buying online works for me. Thanks again. ~d

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Sorry, I ought to have explained.

The numbers refer to the number of pounds of force the thread has been proven to be able to take without breaking.

10# can withstand 10 pounds of tug without breaking. (Doubled, that makes 20 pounds.) This is quite strong and I have found it perfectly fine for restringing my vintage akoya graduated strands that range from 3mm to 8mm. The thread is fine.

20# withstands 20 pounds without breaking, or 40 pounds when the thread is doubled. This is a little thicker and is good for all my other strands with normal size drill holes.

30# I got for restringing some other beads whose drill holes are larger.

50# is still thicker.

I understand there is a 65# one too, but I haven't used it. I think I read there are Power Pro threads even thinner than 10# but again, I've not had cause to use them yet.

 

[Hanaleimom]

Your local sporting goods stores may carry Power Pro in large spools. I know that Bass Pro Shop, Sport Authority, Gander Mountain all carry them. I've found them on Cabelas.com also.

 

[CharmedOne]

Thank you so much Hanaleimom. I went to Gander Mountain today and found the moss green. They didn't have any white. The search continues. You have all been so helpful. Thanks again. ~d

 

[CharmedOne]

Pearl Dreams, I am very excited to string my pearls after seeing your tutorial. You are so nice to take the time to do that. It looks so simple and I hope I have the success you have had. I purchased the moss green #20 and I bought the beading needles from AC Moore. I have to take my LO to therapy, so if not this evening. I will give it a shot tomorrow. The smaller pearl Honora strand I have broke last night, so its just in time. Thank you again for all the help you have given me. I will post photos of the finished product. Thanks again ~d

 

[Caitlin]

Just a note. If you buy from a sporting type place like Cabela's, do not do as I once did and get either the red or the yellow, they run when wet!!! Yuck! Only buy the moss or white.

It is too bad they don't have more colors, but I use those two because having a necklace where the strand will not break until your neck feels a strong pull is more important to me than color because I like to wear them everywhere except swimming pools. And in the summer, I like to be able to easily wash any sweat off of them without worrying about the thread stretching when wet.... or here in Arizona, I would only be able to wear pearls outside from October till May!

I have broken so many bead and pearl strands catching them on something then pulling. Maybe I am clumsy, but those are a couple of reasons I love power pro over matchy, matchy silk thread.

 

[CharmedOne]

I completely understand. I have a 5 yo that loves necklaces. He likes to tug at them on my neck and since I bought some pearls, he is even worse. He got ahold of the akoya strand that I asked about here a few days ago. The string is all stretched out and ran away swinging them around. I couldn't believe it, he is a fast little bugger too. Thank goodness they didn't pop! So strength is definitely important to me. and Thank you so much for the heads up about the color running on those threads. ~d