Pearl stringing questions

[diamondyes]

How often do I need to ream the last three pearls?

When you string, how often do you double up on the string?

Do you always use French wire?

Thanks!!

 

[diamondyes]

My main reason for asking is because there is no way on earth that I will be able to get four strands of thread through my last three pearls. They’re pretty tight with two strands (one strand doubled up) through them right now.

 

[diamondyes]

This is the video instruction I am trying to follow.

 

[yssie]

How often do I need to ream the last three pearls?

When you string, how often do you double up on the string?

Do you always use French wire?

Thanks!!

For me -
- These days always! Makes life so much easier
- I prefer four threads to two, and I’d rather drop thread weight (switch to a lighter/thinner thread) if that lets me quad up
- Always, I worry about wear without

 

[diamondyes]

For me -
- These days always! Makes life so much easier
- I prefer four threads to two, and I’d rather drop thread weight (switch to a lighter/thinner thread) if that lets me quad up
- Always, I worry about wear without

Thank you!

It makes me nervous to think of reaming pearls. Any comforting thoughts?

 

[pearlsngems]

I prefer using mini broaches for this job. They are essentially long, thin triangular (in cross section) razors. You insert them into the drill hole and twirl them. They shave off very small amounts of the inside wall of the pearl drill hole so you can enlarge the hole just a little at a time.
And unlike the reamers I used to use, they have a very gradual taper, so you don't end up with a huge exterior opening to the drill hole, which is unsightly and causes knots to slip inside.

Here's what they look like:

Amazon.com

 

[diamondyes]

I prefer using mini broaches for this job. They are essentially long, thin triangular (in cross section) razors. You insert them into the drill hole and twirl them. They shave off very small amounts of the inside wall of the pearl drill hole so you can enlarge the hole just a little at a time.
And unlike the reamers I used to use, they have a very gradual taper, so you don't end up with a huge exterior opening to the drill hole, which is unsightly and causes knots to slip inside.

Here's what they look like:

Amazon.com

Thank you! So are professional pearl stringers making the last three pearl holes bigger? Is this a quote standard practice, or is it only required with thicker string or..?

 

[yssie]

I prefer using mini broaches for this job. They are essentially long, thin triangular (in cross section) razors. You insert them into the drill hole and twirl them. They shave off very small amounts of the inside wall of the pearl drill hole so you can enlarge the hole just a little at a time.
And unlike the reamers I used to use, they have a very gradual taper, so you don't end up with a huge exterior opening to the drill hole, which is unsightly and causes knots to slip inside.

Here's what they look like:

Amazon.com

This is amazing. I just bought a set. The taper has always been a WTF for me too. Thank you so much for sharing!!

 

[pearlsngems]

I only restring my own pearls. I always use gimp.

I use Fine gauge wire needles, and Medium Serafil, doubled. Before I begin stringing I test the end pearls to see if the needle + thread can pass through twice. If they cannot, I use a broach to widen the hole just enough (or substitute a different pearl, when possible). Most of the time I don't need to widen the holes, But if I do need to widen the hole, I definitely prefer using the broaches.

Be really careful handling the broaches. Don't touch the blades!

 

[diamondyes]

This is amazing. I just bought a set. The taper has always been a WTF for me too. Thank you so much for sharing!!

Can you help me (I feel dumb) buy these in English? How did you end up finding them? Or did you buy off the site linked?

 

[diamondyes]

I only restring my own pearls. I always use gimp.

I use Fine gauge wire needles, and Medium Serafil, doubled. Before I begin stringing I test the end pearls to see if the needle + thread can pass through twice. If they cannot, I use a broach to widen the hole just enough (or substitute a different pearl, when possible). Most of the time I don't need to widen the holes, But if I do need to widen the hole, I definitely prefer using the broaches.

Be really careful handling the broaches. Don't touch the blades!

Thank you!! I’ll report back on how I do.

I’m practicing with cheap pearls but I have some nice pearls that have been waiting half a year for me to string them properly…

 

[Pearlescence]

Thank you!

It makes me nervous to think of reaming pearls. Any comforting thoughts?

By far the easiest way is to get some drill bits of the required size and simply use an ordinary drill to enlarge the holes. Remember that bits do not bend and try not to drill your fingers. I did a short video on enlarging the holes this way, it's on my youtube channel.

 

[yssie]

Can you help me (I feel dumb) buy these in English? How did you end up finding them? Or did you buy off the site linked?

I actually just bought the set that @pearlsngems linked, off Amazon! It’s such a reasonable price!

I’ve had exactly the problem she talks about with normal reamers - they continuously taper, so unless you ream all the way through the pearl, the entrance will be wider than in the center of the pearl sphere. I get around that by using my 0.6mm extra fine reamer as a mini saw, sorta - widening the drill hole by sawing around and around the interior. I don’t know if that makes any sense. Probably not Suffice to say - these mini broaches look SO much better!!

 

[pearlsngems]

If you don't want to buy from Amazon, search for "mini cutting broaches". I think Rio Grande sells them too.

Broaches also come in large sizes so be sure to get the really small ones.

 

[diamondyes]

If you don't want to buy from Amazon, search for "mini cutting broaches". I think Rio Grande sells them too.

Broaches also come in large sizes so be sure to get the really small ones.

I ended up buying from the link! Thank you so much!