# Add-A-Bead or Add-A-Pearl Necklace **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 26, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/add-a-bead-or-add-a-pearl-necklace/548066 "2010-07-26T16:14:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/add-a-bead-or-add-a-pearl-necklace/548066/1 "2010-07-26T16:14:52Z")
Does anyone know of anywhere that still sells pearls drilled for the add-a-bead or add-a-pearl necklaces (popular back in the 80’s?) [http://www.liketotally80s.com/add-a-bead-necklace.html](http://www.liketotally80s.com/add-a-bead-necklace.html) Googling has only turned up beading sites where they’re drilled for stringing on a strings, not for a chain. ---
**Author:** ![Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fried_Dough_Ho)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/add-a-bead-or-add-a-pearl-necklace/548066/2 "2010-07-26T16:20:41Z")
I make jewelry for a living and most local jewelry stores who does repairs should be able to drill a pearl for you to whatever size you need to go over a chain. I drill pearls all the time and the biggest hassle with the do-it-yourself necklaces is that you want a hole in the pearl that fits over the chain, but not the clasp – so you don’t want a monstrous hole in the pearl. Also, the bigger the hole drilled in a good pearl the more it potentially degrades the value of the pearl because you are creating a bigger exposed area to its interior, thereby potentially causing the nacre to chip. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/add-a-bead-or-add-a-pearl-necklace/548066/3 "2010-07-26T16:54:50Z")
From _the George Burns and Gracie Allen Show_ (radio) > [@](#): > > Gracie) You don’t have to get me a birthday present this year > > George) But Gracie I originally got you a pearl necklace and every birthday I add to it. > > Gracie) That’s the problem George, the string is now four feet long and the pearl hangs down too far …and now back to your regularly scheduled thread 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/add-a-bead-or-add-a-pearl-necklace/548066/4 "2010-07-26T18:08:38Z")
> [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](#): > > I make jewelry for a living and most local jewelry stores who does repairs should be able to drill a pearl for you to whatever size you need to go over a chain. > > I drill pearls all the time and the biggest hassle with the do-it-yourself necklaces is that you want a hole in the pearl that fits over the chain, but not the clasp – so you don’t want a monstrous hole in the pearl. > > Also, the bigger the hole drilled in a good pearl the more it potentially degrades the value of the pearl because you are creating a bigger exposed area to its interior, thereby potentially causing the nacre to chip. Good to know - thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/add-a-bead-or-add-a-pearl-necklace/548066/5 "2010-07-26T18:09:43Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > From _the George Burns and Gracie Allen Show_ (radio) > > > [@](#): > > > > Gracie) You don’t have to get me a birthday present this year > > > > George) But Gracie I originally got you a pearl necklace and every birthday I add to it. > > > > Gracie) That’s the problem George, the string is now four feet long and the pearl hangs down too far > > …and now back to your regularly scheduled thread 🙂 Hahahahahahahaha! ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/add-a-bead-or-add-a-pearl-necklace/548066/6 "2010-07-27T03:28:31Z")
Typically, fine pearls are strung onto silk with a knot in between. This is done so that the pearls do not rub against each other. Pearls delicate. I used to work in jewelry and I saw many beautiful pearls ruined by hairspray, etc. Rings with pearls typically showed the worst damage. In short, if you are buying fine quality pearls, reconsider the chain.