Happy new pearl year: Charmed, I'm sure!

Well hell-o, honeybunches! I'm happy to see you in the Passage as we begin 2025. Some things endure, and that includes women asking me how to restyle classic pearl strands.

With a matched strand (all the pearls are more or less the same size), you can create a knockout piece via an easy zhuzh: the toggle clasp + charm. (The midcentury graduated pearl necklace is another matter; either have it cleaned and restrung to wear as is, or restyle as shown here among other posts; see "Restyle pearls" in the menu bar.)

Step 1: Restring with a holder-type clasp

There are various styles for clasps that can double as charm holders. I like a toggle, shown below on a necklace from Etsy seller IJDesignBoutique. A toggle adds just enough detail to be worn to the front on its own, or at the back. Buy a good solid one in silver, gold, or gold fill.

Photos: IJ Design Boutique

You could stop right here and declare victory, or slip one or more charms on to the clasp.

Step 2: Lay on the charm  

Buy a charm, or have one made from bits and bobs: an old ring; single earrings, or gifts that were never quite you. You can have charms attached permanently, as in this example from IJ Design Boutique, or use detachable ones. 

Here's how a permanent charm looks attached to the toggle's ring, on a necklace that incorporates aquamarine beads, 9-10mm freshwater pearls and a gold-plated pendant:  

Photo: IJ Design Boutique, Etsy

Charms to change

Let's hop over to New York's Lizzie Fortunato to see how to play with detachable charms. Shown, the pearl base necklace with a toggle clasp, and charms attached with an s-hook, specifically a perpendicular s-hook, shown in the window below, which is hard to find.

If you're are using s-hooks, the diameter of the toggle will determine how many hooks will fit. (If clasp chat makes your eyes cross, bookmark this post to show your jeweller or stringer.) A bench jeweller can make perpendicular s-hooks from gold or silver wire, not a complicated job, but show them a picture.


Photos: Lizzie Fortunato

There are other options for the clasp-as-charm-holder: the pinch connector, and the sailor's clasp are two that, in larger sizes, leave room for adding charms.


A woman of many charms

One is all you need, but charms are habit-forming. I've always liked charm bracelets, but loaded up, they're heavy and clanky. A strand of pearls with one or several charms is lighter, and you can change the charms by whim or season. Charm prices range from single-digit prices to thousands of dollars; I've put some mid-range examples in the window, some new, others vintage.

 

Top left: Vintage green enamel leaf on silver heart, $CDN 166 from charmrama.
Bottom left: 10mm peridot and 14k charm from Etsy seller Faxxelange, a good source for gemstone charms; $CDN 51.
Centre: Vintage Gemini intaglio on glass, $CDN 295 from charmco.
Top right: A single flashy Tahitian like this 13mm baby will ice the cake! From Kojima Pearl Company; price, $US 594.
Bottom left: Norwegian vintage pink enamel pendant/charm from Etsy seller Nordicgeordie, $CDN 120.

I had my CFWs restrung by Sophie Strings Pearls; any size of pearls will work for a base necklace as long as the clasp is proportionate. I like them strung on synthetic thread like PowerPro, for added security.


These 10mm pearls were chosen 30 years ago by a beloved friend; the pearl charm is from Kojima (about 5 years old); the Tibetan "endless knot" is a Diane von Furstenberg by H. Stern pendant over 20  years old. It symbolizes the interconnectedness of all beings, among other interpretations.

In what's bound to be a year of change, an update to something worn for decades feels right—and a reminder to protect what is precious in the world. That may be timely for you, too. 

 

 

 

Comments

Kamchick said…
Lovely! You've posted this, just as my Grandmother's uniform pearl necklace is arriving at Sophie's for an update. Finally these gorgeous pearls will be 'out of the box' and enjoyed. I'll send pictures!
LauraH said…
Happy 2025!! Love the clasp and s-hook talk, you always give us useful information combined with beautiful examples, such a winning combination. Now I'm heading to my jewellery box to see what I have that can be worn as a charm:-)
Laura J said…
I have several sentimental and lone earrings that would wor with this idea..pondering 🤔🤔🤔. Nice to have you back..Hope the holidays were good to you.
Leslie said…
Welcome back and happy new year. Nice ideas to play around with.I also enjoyed scrolling through the Lizzie Fortunato site. New to me and potentially dangerous. You can always be trusted to find ways to separate me from my money.

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