Uncommon Goods Jewelry Review

I have the privilege of telling you about a website, Uncommon Goods. Their motto: “Unique Gifts and Creative Designs.” Perfect slogan for their website. It is full of creative designs that make it is easy to find something you like.

I was approached with the offer to choose any piece of jewelry from their website to review. How exciting! I chose a beautiful blue pinecone necklace, like the one pictured above. I found it while searching through their jewelry for women. Check it out here. I guarantee you will find beautiful jewelry for both men and women. Check out the jewelry for women here and the jewelry for men here.

I was delighted when the necklace I had chosen to review arrived in the mail. I was impressed with the packaging to! Let me show you!

The box the necklace was in came tucked inside this ingenious bag made from remnants of recycled t-shirts in the USA.

Inside the bag was this jewelry box with the jewelry designers name and signature look. The necklace was designed by Nancy Nelson of West Virginia. You can read more about her bio here. I like the twig wrapped up in the thread that is tied neatly around the jewelry box.

Upon opening the box I was greeted with more simple, yet cheerful packaging that made the pinecone necklace stand out. Included in the jewelry box was Nancy Nelson’s business card.

Isn’t this necklace beautiful? I love nature. I often go outside to enjoy the scenery. The outdoors is my cathedral. It is where I go to rest, relax, and find peace when I am stressed. The sights and sounds of nature is often times the best type of therapy. This pinecone reminds me of the outdoors, and blue is a soothing color. It I also my favorite color. Thus the reason I chose this beautiful blue pinecone necklace.

Read Nancy’s description of this blue pinecone necklace and you will no doubt find that her love for the outdoors is what inspired her to create the necklace Read about it here.

The pinecone pendant is hand cast in brass from an actual pinecone that was found at Swallow Falls State Park in Maryland. The brass pendant was painted blue patina. The pinecone pendant hangs from a beautiful 14kt gold filled wire chain that can be adjusted between 16′ – 18′ inches.

Take a look at two more photographs I took that show off the blue pinecone pendants intricate details.

This is by far one of my favorite necklaces I own. Priced at $72.00 you can own one to! To purchase a blue pinecone necklace of your own visit Uncommon Goods. While you are there you might find even more jewelry to add to your shopping cart. With Christmas around the corner, Uncommon Goods is a good place to shop this year, right in the comfort of your own home!

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:

Thread on one crimp bead.
Thread the wire through the clasp.
Pass the wire back through the crimp bead.
Pull gently to form a small loop.
Flatten or crimp the bead securely.
Thread the wire tail through several nearby beads.
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.

Have you read?