Have you ever heard of pearl knots? Do you know how important it is to tie a pearl knot on a necklace? Let’s see why it’s a big deal.
What Is a Pearl Knot?
A pearl knot is the practice of tying knots between pearls on a necklace. The next time you look at a string of pearls, take a closer look at the pearl strings. You will most likely see knots between the pearls above.
Why Do Pearls Get Knotted?
One of the reasons to tie pearls is to prevent all pearls from falling off the string when the pearl breaks.
If this happens, the knot will ensure that no more than one or two pearls fall on the floor, rather than all of them at once.
There is another reason for tying the knot, and it is just as important.
When pearls are strung together, adjacent pearls come into contact with each other, and after some time, friction can cause damage to the pearl’s surface. To prevent the shell from chipping, pearls are usually separated by knots.
Not all pearls are knotted, though. Fake pearls usually don’t have surfaces that are as sensitive to pressure and friction, which is why they don’t need knots. As a rule, low-quality pearls are also not knotted.
Bondage Pearls
Keep in mind that pearl necklaces need to be re-strung regularly. This is done because the pearl strand wears out and weakens over time, and you don’t want the pearl necklace to break suddenly.
How often should you restring a pearl necklace?
The usual cycle is every four to five years, but it also depends on how often you wear the necklace.
Check your necklace regularly, and don’t put off re-stringing if the chain wears out and gets thinner.
Keep an eye out for these signs:
Dark umbilical cord: If the umbilical cord turns black, it means that it has aged and is likely to be fragile. You should replace it or you risk damaging it.
Loose pearls: Look at the rope to see if the pearls are tightly fastened between the knots. If the pearls are loose and there is a distance between each pearl and the knot next to it, it means that the rope has been stretched over time. This is an indication that the string has thinned and you should restring the necklace.
Buy a Knotted Pearl Necklace
When you’re considering buying a pearl necklace, looking at the pearl string can help you assess the quality of the necklace’s making.
First of all, for the reasons mentioned above, a pearl necklace should have a knot, especially if the pearl is natural and expensive.
Make sure the pearls between the knots are not loose. This may indicate that the power cord is not new.
When we do, buy a necklace with a durable clasp. The lobster clasp is a good option and is more reliable than the cheaper spring ring clasp.