Bette Davis and Pearl Restringing
I Got to Restore Bette Davis' Necklace. Here's What It Taught Me About Pearl Restringing
Most days, my work is quiet. I sit at my bench, soldering silver and gold, inspecting and cleaning old jewelry, and restringing pearls one bead at a time. Most of my clients want to pass down mom’s or grandma’s necklace to their own kids one day. It's careful, patient work, and I love every repetitive moment of it.
But every so often, a piece comes through my studio that stops me in my tracks. This was one of those times.
Bette Davis as Queen Elizabeth in the 1955 film, The Virgin Queen
The Auction House’s request
Julien's Auctions reached out to me. If you don't know the name, they're one of the biggest names in Hollywood memorabilia. They track down and restore the costumes, jewelry, and personal items worn by legendary stars, then bring them back into the spotlight for collectors and fans.
I've restored several pieces of period jewelry for auction houses before. This time, the project was bigger than usual.
They needed a full restoration of a bold, jeweled, and pearl statement necklace. Costume legends Mary Wills and Charles LeMaire designed it for the 1955 film The Virgin Queen, starring Bette Davis.
Seeing that piece land on my bench, knowing whose neck it once sat on (and those EYES that gazed upon it), was a genuinely humbling moment.
What It's Like to Restore a Piece of Hollywood History
Restoring vintage jewelry like this is nothing like fixing a modern necklace. Here's why:
The parts are old and often no longer made. I had to track down replacement connecting parts and a clasp that matched the original piece's age, wear, and style.
Every piece has its own history. Decades of wear, storage, and handling leave their mark. I cleaned the Virgin Queen necklace with a much lighter-than-usual touch so I wouldn't erase the patina: that which makes it authentic, memorable, and highly collectible. My job is also to preserve the piece’s provenance.
The stringing has to hold up for the collector who ultimately buys the piece. They may not wear the necklace, but these pieces often end up on display (sometimes back on camera), so the work has to be as strong as it is authentic.
It takes patience, an eagle eye, a steady hand, and a lot of respect for the creatives who crafted the piece in the first place.
Why Pearl Restringing Matters (Even for Your Own Jewelry)
You don't need a Hollywood connection for your pearls to deserve this kind of care. The same skills I use to restore a museum-worthy necklace are the ones I use every day on family heirlooms.
Old pearl strings stretch, weaken, and break down over time. The silk (or more modern nylon) thread that holds them together doesn't last forever. If you have a pearl necklace that's:
Missing its clasp or has a broken one;
Stretching or sagging;
Starting to show gaps between knots;
Been sitting in a drawer for years, untouched;
...it's probably time for a restring. It's one of the best ways to keep a piece wearable and safe for the next generation.
The Bigger Picture
Whether it's a necklace that once belonged to Bette Davis ( OMG! 🤩 ) or one that's been passed down in your own family, the goal is the same: keep the piece safe, sturdy, and ready to be worn again.
I feel lucky to do this work. Every piece that comes across my bench, famous or not, gets the same care and attention. That's the whole point.
Ready to give your pearls the love they deserve? Let me know what you have in mind and we’ll schedule a time to talk. Your consultation and price estimate are complimentary. Contact me today. - Lisa Sirlin-Hall
