Patent ID: 7540172

Claim:
A modifiable jewelry piece comprising: a. a strand having an outer surface and a length; b. one or more beads placeable around the strand, wherein the one or more beads may be positioned at selectable positions along the length of the strand and wherein the one or more beads are not affixed to the strand; c. one or more adjustable retainers, each having interior dimensions, wherein each of the one or more adjustable retainers may be removably applied around the strand at any position along the length of the strand to restrict movement of the one or more beads along the strand, wherein each of the one or more adjustable retainers includes an interior structure configured to establish direct frictional engagement with the outer surface of the strand without a fixed component between the strand and the interior structure of the retainer, wherein the interior structure covers substantially all of the inside dimensions of the adjustable retainer such that substantially all of the interior structure is in contact with the strand when the retainer is positioned on the strand, and wherein the interior structure is arranged to substantially restrict movement of the retainer along the strand and rotational movement of the retainer around the strand when the retainer is positioned on the strand; and d. an end connector including a bead blocker with a flange and a slot, wherein one or more of the one or more beads is internally threaded and the slot of the bead blocker aligns with the internal threading of the one or more beads.