| Who Is the add A Pearl™ Company? |
The add A Pearl™ company is a division of Juergens & Andersen Company, manufacturers of fine jewelry and the largest importer of natural pearls in the country. Located in Chicago, Illinois since 1854, Juergens & Andersen Co. is the originator and owner of the add A Pearl™ name and trademarked product.
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| Where is the add A Pearl™ company located? |
add A Pearl™ Co, division of Juergens & Andersen Co. is located at 55 E. Washington Street, Suite 845 Chicago, Il. 60602
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| How do I contact you? |
Call us with your questions toll free 800-621-8333 between 8:00am – 4:30pm. Or email us
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| What is the difference between A quality and Select quality in natural pearls? |
Select Quality add A Pearl™s are the very top quality, high luster, rosea pearls. Flawless and beautiful as only nature can produce them. A Quality add A Pearl™s have the same fine luster and color as select. They differ in being slightly less perfectly round which is hardly discernible to the sharpest eye when they are strung onto a necklace. All the necklace plans for Natural add A Pearl™s have been designed to benefit from using both qualities of pearls in creating the add A Pearl™Necklace.
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| How do I get pearls added to the necklace? |
Search our dealer locator for an authorized add A Pearl™ dealer in your area or if you prefer you may send the pearls, along with the necklace to us (click here for a shipping label) for stringing. For more information contact us.
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| How are the pearls added to the necklace? |
When pearls are added, the necklace is taken apart and the new pearls are properly positioned according to the best size gradation and color matching. Then all the pearls are strung together with a fresh piece of silk thread which is tied to the ends of the chain. This method maximizes the order of the pearls and keeps the thread clean, fresh and strong.
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| How should I send the necklace and additional pearls to you for stringing? |
The best way is through UPS or the post office (print shipping label)
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| How long will it take to have pearls added? |
Once we receive the package, it takes approximately 3 days for us to string the pearls. Allowing for time in transit (UPS or the post office) adds another 3-5 days.
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| Can the pearls slip over the chain to be added to the necklace? |
No, in the finest pearls the drill hole is so small that only a piece of silk thread can fit through the pearl. This is done to maintain uniformity and durability of the pearls structure. If the drill holes are too large, the chain tends to oxidize the pearls causing a dark ring around the pearls.
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| Is it best to add the same size pearls as I started with or should the pearls be graduated sizes? |
The pearls used in a necklace can all be the same size; or they can be graduated with a larger pearl in the center and successively smaller pearls running back to each side to the clasp. Either way, it is a matter of personal preference. Usually, a cultured add A Pearl™ necklace is created with uniform sizes ( varying within ½ millimeter) and a Natural add A Pearl™ necklace is best created using graduated sizes combining Select Quality pearls as larger pearls for the center third portion or front of the necklace and A Quality pearls to complete the necklace
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| How many pearls will it take to complete a strand of pearls? |
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See Chart and Plans for natural pearls read more...
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| Are the pearls individually knotted? |
The starter necklaces are not knotted since necklaces consisting of less than 10 pearls look better unknotted. Necklaces of more than 10 pearls should be knotted between each pearl to prevent the pearls from abrading each other and to minimize losses if the necklace should happen to break.
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| How many pearls should be added at a time? |
Cultured pearls are usually added either one at a time or by the inch (cultured carded pearls) for a faster growing necklace. Natural pearls are usually added one, two, or four (natural carded pearls) at a time. Either way, it is best to maintain a necklace with an uneven number of pearls. This ensures that there is a center pearl. As pearls are added, an uneven number of pearls hangs nicer and appears to have better balance.
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| Which starter necklace should be selected? |
Any of the starter necklaces can be used to start an add A Pearl™ necklace. If starting a Natural Pearl necklace, be sure to match the center pearl before beginning the next additions. This will help maintain balance and symmetry of the necklace.
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| What happens to the chain as pearls are added to the necklace? |
We will never automatically cut the chain to maintain the original length. So, unless otherwise stated by you, the chain length will remain the same as when you started the necklace (either 13” or 16”) . This means as pearls are added , the necklace will become longer. For example, if you add 4 inches of pearls to the 16” chain, the total necklace will become 20” long. For optimum beauty , we recommend cutting the chain as pearls are added to maintain the original length (either 13” or 16”) . Any chain that is cut from the necklace, will be returned to you after pearls are added.
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| How do I know which pearls to add to a Natural Pearl Necklace? |
It is best to follow one of the six plans for completing a natural add A Pearl™ Necklace. Each plan has been designed to assure a properly graduated proportioned necklace. Each necklace, regardless of the plan selected, will grow into an outstanding classic beauty and a gift to be truly cherished.
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| How can I be sure to get the original add A Pearl™ product? |
| First, look for the name add A Pearl™, which is owned and registered by the add A Pearl™ Company. In business since 1854, add A Pearl™ is the nation’s largest single user of natural pearls. For your protection when buying add A Pearl™s, be sure they come to you on one of our official add A Pearl™ cards. And, look for the add A Pearl™ name stamped on the clasp of any of our starter necklaces. |