Why strands break where they do
Silk stretches and it absorbs everything a neck gives it. Over years it goes slack, the pearls start to gap, and eventually it gives — usually at the clasp, where the wear is. If a strand has never been restrung and it is older than a few years, it is living on borrowed time.
What we do
- Restringing on new silk, knotted between each pearl so one break does not lose the lot.
- Clasp replacement — the part that usually fails first.
- Adding or removing pearls to change the length.
- Turning one long strand into a shorter necklace and a bracelet.
- Pearl rings and earrings where a pearl has come off its post or cup.
- Replacing a missing pearl, matched for size, colour and lustre.
Knotting is the part that matters
Knotted between each pearl means the pearls do not rub against each other, and it means a break drops one pearl rather than scattering the whole strand across a parking lot. It takes longer and it is the right way to do it.
Pearls are organic, and they want care
No ultrasonic, no steam, no harsh cleaner. Perfume and hairspray dull the surface over time. Put them on last and take them off first, and wipe them with a soft cloth before they go away. Worth knowing because pearls do not recover the way a hard stone does.
How often to restring
If you wear them often, every year or two. If they sit in a box, longer. The honest test is whether you can see thread between the pearls when you hold the strand up, and whether the silk has gone grey. Bring them in and we will look with you.
Bring it in and we will look at it
Every piece is different and pearls especially so. Put it on the counter, tell us what has happened, and we will tell you what we see and what we would do about it. You decide from there, before anything is agreed.
Questions we get asked
How often should pearls be restrung?
Every year or two if you wear them often. Bring them in and we will look at the silk with you.
Do you knot between the pearls?
Yes, every one. It stops them rubbing and it means a break does not scatter the strand.
Can a missing pearl be matched?
Usually, for size, colour and lustre. Bring the strand in.
Can pearls go in an ultrasonic?
No. No ultrasonic and no steam. They are organic and they do not recover.
Will you tell me what you find before doing any work?
Always. We look at it with you at the counter, tell you what we see, and you decide.
Not sure we can fix it?
Send a couple of details and we will call you back. Or just walk in — it is quicker, and we can actually look at the piece.
Drop it off, shop the mall, wear it tonight
We are inside Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. Walk in during mall hours, no appointment. Most repairs are finished the same day and a good number while you wait.
Where we are
Julio's Jewelry, 800 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462 — inside Orland Square Mall. Mon–Thu 10am–8pm · Fri–Sat 10am–9pm · Sun 11am–6pm. We are also at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 W Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546.