Book Review: Bead Simple by Susan Beal

Most crafters have at least one broken necklace sitting somewhere in a drawer, dish, jewellery box or tiny zip bag labelled “fix later.” Sometimes it is a favourite necklace. Sometimes it is a sentimental one. Sometimes it is just a pretty strand of beads that fell apart dramatically at the worst possible moment.

The good news is that many broken beaded necklaces can be fixed at home with basic jewelry making supplies.

This beginner-friendly guide will show you how to repair a broken beaded necklace, save the beads, replace the wire or cord, add a new clasp and make the necklace wearable again.

If you are new to jewelry repair, you may also want to read jewelry making tools for beginners and how to use crimp beads without ruining your necklace before you start.

Can You Fix A Broken Beaded Necklace Yourself?

In many cases, yes. If the necklace is made from ordinary beads, beading wire, cord or a simple clasp, it is usually a beginner-friendly repair.

You can often fix:

• broken beading wire
• loose crimp beads
• missing clasp
• stretched elastic
• snapped cord
• missing jump ring
• uneven bead spacing
• old necklace that needs restringing

However, if the necklace is very valuable, antique, made with fine pearls, or has delicate metalwork, you may prefer to take it to a professional jeweller.

For everyday costume jewellery, handmade pieces and sentimental bead necklaces, DIY repair is often very doable.

Supplies You May Need

Depending on the repair, you may need:

• flexible beading wire
• crimp beads or crimp tubes
• clasp
• jump rings
• chain nose pliers
• jewelry cutters
• bead stopper
• bead board or towel
• measuring tape
• clear jewelry glue, optional
• elastic cord, if repairing a stretch necklace
• small container for loose beads

You do not need every supply for every repair. Start by looking at how the necklace was originally made.

Step 1: Save Every Bead

If the necklace has broken and beads are loose, collect them carefully.

Place them in a small bowl, zip bag or bead tray. If possible, gather any broken wire, clasp pieces or jump rings too. They can help you understand how the necklace was originally put together.

If the beads scattered across the floor, check under chairs, rugs and table legs. Beads are surprisingly athletic when they escape.

Step 2: Take A Photo Before Unstringing

If part of the necklace is still intact, take a photo before removing the beads.

This helps you remember the original bead order, especially if the necklace had a pattern.

If you want to redesign the necklace, you can skip this step, but photos are helpful for sentimental pieces.

Step 3: Check The Beads

Before restringing, inspect each bead.

Look for:

• cracked beads
• sharp bead holes
• missing finish
• rough edges
• beads that are too fragile
• beads with old cord stuck inside

Remove damaged beads or place them aside. Sharp bead holes can cut through new wire or cord, so do not reuse beads that feel rough unless you can smooth or replace them.

Step 4: Decide What Stringing Material To Use

The right material depends on the necklace style.

Beading Wire

Use flexible beading wire for glass beads, gemstone beads, pearls and most standard beaded necklaces.

Elastic Cord

Use elastic cord only if you want a stretch necklace. This is less common for adult necklaces but may work for casual designs.

Nylon Or Waxed Cord

Use cord for large-hole beads, wooden beads, boho necklaces or no-clasp necklace designs.

Chain

If only a pendant or charm has broken off, you may simply need a new jump ring or chain.

If you are unsure, flexible beading wire is a reliable choice for many bead necklace repairs.

Step 5: Measure The Original Necklace

Lay the necklace flat and measure the length if possible.

If it was too short or too long before breaking, this is your chance to adjust it. You can use the necklace length guide for handmade jewelry makers to choose a better finished size.

For a standard everyday necklace, 18 inches is a common length. For a longer slip-over style, 28 to 32 inches may work better.

Step 6: Lay Out The Beads

Arrange the beads on a bead board or towel.

If recreating the original necklace, follow your photo. If redesigning, try a new layout.

You can:

• remove beads for a shorter necklace
• add spacer beads
• add a new centre bead
• turn extra beads into earrings
• make a bracelet from leftover beads

For matching earrings, use this beaded earrings from leftover beads tutorial.

Step 7: Cut New Beading Wire

Cut a piece of beading wire several inches longer than your finished necklace length.

For an 18-inch necklace, cut around 24 inches of wire. This gives you enough extra length for finishing.

Secure one end with a bead stopper or tape so your beads do not slide off.

Step 8: Restring The Necklace

Thread the beads onto the new wire in your chosen order.

Check the design every so often by lifting it gently. Necklaces can look different when hanging than they do flat on the table.

Make sure the beads are not packed too tightly. A necklace needs a little movement so it can curve comfortably.

Step 9: Add The Clasp

To add a clasp with crimp beads:

1. Thread on one crimp bead.
2. Thread the wire through the clasp.
3. Pass the wire back through the crimp bead.
4. Pull gently to form a small loop.
5. Flatten or crimp the bead securely.
6. Thread the wire tail through several nearby beads.
7. Trim the excess wire.

Repeat on the other end with a jump ring or extender chain.

If this step feels new, see how to use crimp beads without ruining your necklace for more detail.

Step 10: Test The Repair

Before wearing the necklace, test it carefully.

Check that:

• the clasp is secure
• crimps do not slip
• beads move comfortably
• no wire ends poke out
• the necklace sits evenly
• the length feels right

Give each end a gentle tug. If something slips, fix it now rather than waiting for another bead disaster.

How To Replace A Broken Clasp

If the necklace itself is fine but the clasp is broken, you may only need to replace the clasp and jump ring.

Use chain nose pliers to open the jump ring, remove the broken clasp and add a new one.

Make sure the new clasp suits the necklace weight. A tiny clasp may not be strong enough for a heavy gemstone necklace.

Lobster clasps are a good choice for many repairs because they are secure and easy to find.

How To Fix A Stretch Bead Necklace

If the necklace was made on elastic cord and has stretched out or snapped, cut away the old cord and restring the beads on new elastic.

Pre-stretch the elastic cord before stringing. Tie a secure knot, add a tiny dab of jewelry glue if desired, and hide the knot inside a large-hole bead.

For a smaller project using the same technique, try making a stretch bead bracelet for beginners.

What To Do With Missing Beads

If a few beads are missing, you have options.

You can:

• shorten the necklace
• add spacer beads
• add a centre pendant
• use beads from old jewellery
• turn the necklace into a bracelet
• make matching earrings with the remaining beads

A missing bead does not have to ruin the project. Sometimes the repaired version is prettier than the original.

When Not To Repair It Yourself

Consider professional repair if the necklace is:

• valuable
• antique
• made with real pearls
• made with precious stones
• very delicate
• made with fine metal links
• sentimental and irreplaceable

DIY repair is wonderful, but some pieces deserve expert handling.

How To Prevent Beaded Necklaces From Breaking Again

To help your necklace last longer:

• use proper beading wire
• choose crimps that fit the wire
• do not pull beads too tightly
• avoid wearing jewelry in water
• store necklaces flat or hanging
• check clasps occasionally
• keep heavy beads on strong wire

If you enjoy restoring old pieces, you may also like this bracelet made from upcycled necklaces.

A Lovely Way To Save Sentimental Jewelry

Fixing a broken beaded necklace is not just practical. Sometimes it is a way of keeping a memory wearable.

A necklace from a holiday, a gift from a friend, a strand of beads from your mum’s jewellery box — those pieces deserve more than sitting broken in a drawer.

With a few basic tools and a little patience, you can give them another life.