My pearl necklace is broken: should it be redone?

Your pearl necklace broke, the thread came loose and the beads rolled everywhere — or has the row become dangerously loose? Good news: a necklace or a bracelet of pearls is completely redone, and he regains his original outfit. It’s even one of the most classic maintenance actions in jewelry. Here's when you need to rewire, how it's done, how much it costs, and how to do it without having to travel.

A pearl necklace broken, is it repairable?

Yes, almost always. Redo one pearl necklace is called the rethreading : the craftsman removes the old worn thread and threads the beads again on a new thread, with a clasp suitable. As long as you kept your pearls, even one necklace completely broken, reconstitutes itself.

If a few beads have been lost, this is not a problem: we rethread with those that remain (the necklace will simply be a little shorter), or you can sometimes find extra beads to complete. The main thing is to collect all the beads you have before sending.

When should you rewire a pearl necklace ?

There is not just one necklace already broken which deserves re-threading. Several signs indicate that it is time to think about it, ideally before the breakup:

• The thread is visible between the beads. When the row relaxes, we see the thread between each pearl : it has lengthened and weakened.
• The necklace lost his outfit and hangs limply instead of falling regularly.
• The thread is grayish or frayed near the clasp, where it experiences the most stress.
• The knots between the beads have disappeared or have become loose (on knotted collars).
• The necklace several years old and is worn regularly: the silk thread has a limited lifespan.

Preventive re-threading costs the same as re-threading after breakage — but it prevents you from losing pearls in the wild. If you see the thread between your beads, don't wait.

Why does the thread stretch or break?

The thread of a pearl necklace, traditionally made of silk, is a natural material that works. Over time, it stretches under the weight of the pearls, and it absorbs moisture, perspiration, perfumes and creams — everything that wears it down and weakens it. This is why a pearl necklace worn often must be redone periodically: this is not a defect, it is normal wear and tear of a living material.

With or without knots: what to choose?

This is the main question when rethreading, and both options are legitimate:

• With bows (a knot between each pearl, on silk thread): this is the traditional method, recommended for valuable pearls. The knots prevent the beads from rubbing together, and above all, if the thread breaks, you only lose one pearl instead of the whole row. This is also what gives this lovely soft drape to pearl necklaces.
• No knots (on wire or cable): faster and a little more economical, suitable for light or fancy beads, and bracelets. The result is more rigid.

For a pearl necklace you want, rethreading with knots is generally the best choice. If you are hesitant, let us know: we will advise you according to your preferences.

How much does a pearl restringing ?

Rethreading is an accessible service. At Azuline, the price starts at €15 online. By mail, add €9.90 for the Colissimo prepaid round trip.

The exact price depends on the length of the necklace (therefore the number of beads), and the choice with or without knots — knotted rethreading requires more work. A bracelet is logically less expensive than a long necklace.

Can we re-thread old or family pearls?

Yes, and it is even one of the most frequent cases. A pearl necklace inherited often has a very old thread that needs to be redone so it can be worn safely again. Pearls go through the decades without any problem: it’s the threads and clasps that age. Redo the thread of a necklace family, it's giving it new life without changing anything that matters — your pearls.

You can also benefit from rethreading to shorten a necklace too long, or replace a clasp tired at the same time.

How to rethread your necklace without moving?

Our rethreading service by post works everywhere in France:

• You complete the online form (type of jewellery item, approximate number of beads, with or without knots) and add a photo of the jewellery item flat.
• You receive a label Colissimo prepaid by email, and you post your necklace with all its pearls.
• Our craftsman redoes the thread and sends it back to you necklace — generally within 5 to 10 working days round trip.

Remember to carefully collect all your pearls, including those that have rolled under a piece of furniture, before mailing your shipment.

And for your other jewelry?

Our workshop takes care of all repairs by post. Find all our services on our workshop page : jewellery soldering broken, change of clasp, replacement of missing stone, or watch battery replacement.

In summary

A pearl necklace broken or loose can almost always be repaired by rethreading, from €15 (around €24.90 all inclusive by post). Redo the thread as soon as you see it appear between the beads, without waiting for it to break. For a necklace of value, favor rethreading with knots: it protects the pearls and limits losses in the event of breakage. And one necklace of family with old thread regains all its outfit without losing any of its original pearls.

Frequently asked questions

A pearl necklace Is broken repairable?

Yes, almost always. As long as you kept your pearls, a necklace broken is completely reconstituted by rethreading on a new thread. If a few beads are missing, re-thread with those that remain.

When should you rewire a pearl necklace ?

As soon as the thread becomes visible between the beads, let the necklace relaxes, the wire turns gray near the clasp, or the knots become loose. Preventive rethreading avoids losing beads.

How much does a pearl restringing ?

Rethreading starts at €15 online at Azuline, i.e. approximately €24.90 all inclusive by post. The price depends on the length of the necklace and choice with or without knots.

Rethreading with or without knots: what to choose?

With knots (traditional method on silk thread) for valuable pearls: the knots protect the pearls and prevent you from losing everything in the event of breakage. No knots for light, fancy beads or bracelets: faster and more economical.

Can we re-thread old or family pearls?

Yes, it is very common. The pearls go through the decades, it is the threads and clasps that age. Redo the thread of a necklace inherited brings it back to life without touching the original pearls.