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To Isabella and Delilah, for your 1st birthday. From one grain of sand come layers of beauty and wonder. Hoping you cherish this gift of Add-A-Pearl forever!
My daughter’s first birthday is next Wednesday, and my husband and I have been looking for that special gift and we’ve found it in Add-A-Pearl! We have decided that we will purchase a pearl or two each year for her birthday up to her 16th. The necklace is not only a sentimental gift but also a wonderful keepsake.
My grandmother had an add-a-pearl necklace which she divided into 2 necklaces for my 2 daughters. She gave one the original chain after she added pearls and the other she purchased a new chain and used the original pearls. What an amazing keepsake! Thanks for all your help. Your company was great.
When my daughter was born, we started her and my mom with Add-A-Pearl necklaces and we love the thought of watching the necklaces grow each year as we add pearls.
I’m so glad to have found your company since I became a godmother recently and have been looking for the perfect gift for my goddaughter.
I have had an Add-A-Pearl necklace since I was a baby, unfortunately it was lost and it is not something that can be replaced easily! I am slowly trying to recreate and love being able to buy directly from your site!
We just purchased an Add-A-Pearl starter necklace for our daughter who is turning one next week! I had one purchased for me for my sweet sixteen, but never added to… we hope to fill hers so she can wear it as a bride one day!
My aunt started a necklace for me in 1952 and it remains in the original box with the brochure and her notes. I now have a goddaughter who will be receiving her First Communion in May and want to add either a central pearl or cross and pass it on to her to continue my aunt’s loving tradition.
1st Birthday!! I’m really looking forward to building my daughter’s necklace with your company.
My niece and I have the same birthday and this is something special I started for her on her 1st birthday. I get an inch of pearls for her every year.
What are the most popular starter necklaces?
The most popular starter necklaces are:
One 5mm or 5.5mm Cultured Pearl on a 14k Yellow or White Gold chain
Can I add the pearls myself?
We do not recommend that you add pearls yourself. Adding pearls properly is a skill that requires expertise as well as specific tools and a special silk thread.
When our pearl specialist adds pearls, the entire necklace is taken apart. This is to ensure the best aesthetic position of each individual pearl, proper reflection of each pearls' luster, pearl roundness, as well as the exact millimeter size for perfect positioning.
How do I add new pearls to my necklace?
The traditional way is to order pearls online and have them sent to you in an Add-A-Pearl gift box. When you're ready, fill out the About Your Necklace form and send the pearls and necklace to us for stringing. We recommend shipping with insurance. A faster option is to use our Pearl Reservation Service in which you purchase pearls online, but rather than having them sent to you, we will set them aside until your necklace arrives. Simply fill out the About Your Necklace form, wrap your necklace and ship it to us using UPS or your preferred shipping method. When we receive it, we'll add the new pearls and ship it right back to you. If desired, we will send the gift recipient a notification that pearls have been specially reserved for them in a gift box along with a padded envelope, shipping label, and instructions to safely send their necklace to Add-A-Pearl for stringing of new pearls.
How should I send the necklace and additional pearls to you for stringing?
Option 1: Download and complete the About Your Necklace Form and send it to us with your necklace and additional pearls via UPS, FedEx, or USPS to:
Juergens & Andersen - The AAP® Company
55 E. Washington Street Suite 845
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2193
Option 2: You may also call customer service representatives at 855-392-6640, who will be happy to help with your necklace and pearl additions.
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 3-4 business days.
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. The chain is then adhered to the silk thread stabilizing their position on the necklace.
Should pearl additions be the same size as the pearls 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. To create a graduated style necklace, choose a starter necklace with one pearl on the chain. Then click on Additional Pearls and add as many pearls of different sizes as you want on the necklace. Add them to your cart. At checkout, use the comment box to specify that you want all the additional pearls put on the necklace.
A Natural Add-A-Pearl necklace is most often created using graduated sizes. Cultured pearl necklaces are created either uniform or graduated and you don't have to decide which style you prefer right away. In the future, we can always graduate a necklace that has been started with all uniform sizes by simply adding larger and smaller pearls to the necklace. Our pearl experts will gladly assist in properly graduating your necklace when you are ready.
If you are interested in creating a custom styled pearl necklace please call us at 855-392-6640. One of our expert jewelers will help guide and execute your custom selection.
Can you recommend which pearls to add in order to create a graduated style cultured pearl necklace?
A typical 16" graduated necklace consists of the following pearls: (1) 7mm, (2) 6.5mm, (8) 6mm, (6) 5.5mm, (20) 5.0mm, (14) 4.5mm, (18) 4.0mm, (4) 3.5mm and (2) 3.0mm. The completed necklace will have 75 pearls. For more suggestions please call one of our pearl specialists for assistance Toll Free 855-392-6640.
Are the pearls individually knotted on the necklace?
Necklaces of more than 10 pearls are knotted between each pearl to prevent the pearls from abrading each other and to minimize losses if the necklace should happen to break. The starter necklaces (of 10 pearls or less) are left unknotted because they lie more naturally on the neck.
What is the cost for re-stringing my Add-A-Pearl necklace?
Re-stringing your Add-A-Pearl is a complimentary service. There is no charge for stringing. You will only be charged for return shipping fees incurred. If you would like to have your necklace restrung please contact one of our customer service representatives at 855-392-6640. They will instruct you on how to send us your necklace.
How many pearls should be added at a time?
Pearls can be added one at a time or several at a time. It is entirely up to you. Keep in mind that most neckaces will look best with an uneven number of pearls. This ensures that there is a center pearl. As pearls are added, an uneven number of pearls hangs more naturally and has better symmetry aesthetically.
Will the necklace get longer as I add pearls or will the chain be cut to maintain the original length?
For optimum beauty, we recommend cutting the chain as pearls are added to maintain the original length (either 14” or 16”). This is standard practice for all Add-A-Pearl necklaces. If you do not want us to cut the chain down please contact a customer service representative at 855-392-6640. If you choose to keep the chain, 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.
I started a Natural Pearl necklace, how do I know which pearls to add next?
We recommend following one of our plans available here. Each of our plans has been specifically designed to assure a properly graduated, proportioned necklace and to create an elegant balance.
If you are interested in creating a custom styled pearl neck please call us at 855-392-6640. One of our expert jewelers will be able to help guide and execute your custom selection.
What’s the difference between the two necklace plans?
Example of Natural Pearl Necklace:
Plan 2 Arabesque
Natural Pearl Necklaces made from Plan 1 (our Petite Arabesque plan) hold more petite pearls and Plan 2 (our Arabesque plan) hold slightly larger pearls. Both are elegant choices for your loved one. Make your decision based on what plan best fits her style and your budget needs. Click here to view both natural necklace plans.
Do you have verification on the necklace to show that it is an original Add-A-Pearl product?
The Add-A-Pearl name adorning the clasp is your assurance that we stand behind the authenticity and fine quality of your necklace. Add-A-Pearl™ has been in business since 1854, is the nation’s largest single user of natural pearls.
