Hi Parvati,
Mine are threaded with heavy duty thread. It is quite a blessing to be in India for whole lot of reasons including the easy availability of repairs to Rudraksha mala and abundant supply of Rudraksha beads in all varieties.
There are actually quite a lot of benefits, one of the most significant i can understand is that it protects and enhances our aura, hence our unsconscious attachment.
AS for attachment look at how the mind wants to go where the body has not reached, because there is no right or wrong way to wear or use the mala, or for that reason, for anything. Everything just is.... without all our analysis and judgements.
If we get attached its good, if we dont still its good. I dunno if its the attachement which is the cause of pain or rather our STORIES regarding it.
By the way can we escape the fact that we will get attached to the friend and the necklace and it will fall apart one day, no way we can escape that. We will be free when we will be attached to the friend and necklace, it will fall apart and we will still be ok with it.
I am sorry if i sound weird or harsh, i guess i am actually talking to my fears and you are just acting as the mirror.
Rumi is the right guy to comment on this, i guess.
Love and best wishes,
Govind