I was dancing at a gala when my Mikimoto pearl strand snagged on a button. The silk thread snapped. I heard the sickening click-clack of 50 pearls hitting the marble floor and scattering under tables. We recovered 42 of them. 8 were lost forever. I filed a claim for the lost pearls and the restringing. The insurer paid for the 8 pearls but denied the restringing cost, calling it “Maintenance.”
Key Takeaways
- String breakage is often “Wear and Tear”: Silk stretches and rots over time. If the string breaks without a specific traumatic event (like a mugging), insurers view it as a failure to maintain the item.
- Lost Pearls are Covered: If the string breaks and pearls roll away, the lost pearls are covered under “Accidental Loss” or “Mysterious Disappearance.”
- Matching Issues: Natural pearls vary in color/luster. If you lose 8, finding 8 that match the remaining 42 is nearly impossible. You might have a claim for “Consequential Loss of Value” for the whole strand.
- Restringing is on You: Unless the break was caused by a covered peril (e.g., theft attempt), the
5−5−10 per inch cost to knot the pearls is your responsibility.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Gradual Deterioration.”
Silk thread is organic. It degrades with sweat and perfume.
Insurers expect you to restring pearls every 1-2 years. If you don’t, and the string snaps, that is a maintenance failure.
However, the consequence of that failure (losing the pearls) is usually covered as an accident.
The fight happens when you try to replace the lost pearls. If the new pearls don’t match the luster of the old ones, the necklace looks uneven. You need a policy that recognizes “Pairs and Sets” or “Parts” coverage to replace the whole strand if a match isn’t possible.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Carriers)
I checked how insurers handle the “Scattered Pearl” disaster.
Jewelers Mutual
- The Verdict: Strong on “Matching.”
- The Outcome: If the new pearls don’t match, they might pay to replace the entire strand to ensure uniformity. They cover the lost pearls but usually not the labor to restring unless it was a covered accident.
Homeowners Rider (State Farm)
- The Verdict: Strict limits.
- The Risk: They will likely pay for 8 loose pearls based on carat weight/size. They rarely account for the “matching luster” issue unless you have a specific appraisal noting it.
Lavalier
- The Verdict: Good coverage for the loss.
- The Detail: They cover “Direct Physical Loss.” Pearls rolling into a drain is physical loss.
[IMAGE: Photo of a broken pearl necklace on a floor with loose pearls scattered]
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Standard Policy | Specialized Jewelry Policy |
| Cost of Lost Pearls | Covered | Covered |
| Cost of Restringing | Denied (Maintenance) | Denied (usually) |
| Value Loss (Mismatch) | Denied | Covered (Pairs/Sets clause) |
| Deductible | Applies | $0 (if selected) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Stop Moving: If pearls drop, freeze. Don’t step on them (crushing them is another claim, but avoidable).
- Count Them: Know exactly how many were on the strand vs. how many you found.
- Visit a Pearl Specialist: Don’t go to a mall jeweler. Go to a pearl importer. Ask them to write a letter: “Remaining pearls have a rose overtone. Standard white pearls will not match. Recommending total strand replacement.”
- Claim the “Set”: Submit that letter to the adjuster. Argue that the strand is a single entity, not 50 individual rocks.
FAQ
How often should I restring?
Every year if worn often. If the knots are dirty or stretched, do it now.
Are cultured pearls covered?
Yes, but their value is lower than natural. Your appraisal must specify “Akoya” or “South Sea.”
What if I vacuumed them up?
If you recover them and they are scratched, the scratch damage is covered (Accidental Damage).