To knot or not to knot, which gems need a knot for protection?
Knots between beads are often used as a decorative element but they also serve a function within some pieces of jewellery, creating a protective barrier between beads so that they are not damaged by rubbing against each other during normal wear.
Pearls benefit from knots between each bead but this is only necessary in higher quality pearl pieces.
Rice and seed pearls rarely have knots between each bead as they are inexpensive and worn more as fashion pieces than as fine jewellery pieces, although there are higher end pearls from these families that you would want to protect.
Other soft stones that benefit from knotting between beads include turquoise, amber, jet and coral, but there are many more.
’20 Tips on maintaining our Jewellery’, Gillian E. Batcher, 2013