Necklaces and chains have a habit of getting twisted together with very little effort, especially if you use a jewelry box.
There are a few practical habits and gentle techniques you can do, that will help protect your jewelry from getting tangled, and help you detangle your chains if they do end up twisted together in knots.
Handle Delicate Chains Without Stretching Them
Delicate chains can bend or stretch if you pull too hard, so if you see a tangle, stop and slow down as quick tugs can often make knots tighter.
Lay your necklace or bracelet flat on a smooth and hard surface. Ensure you have good lighting, so you can clearly see the small links, especially on thin chains like a figaro chain.
Loosen the center of the knot first, and not your clasp. Wiggle the links apart with a pin and not your fingers, so you reduce the stress on each individual link within the chain. This method works well for fine gold, silver and lightweight chains.
Prevent your chains from getting tangled by having proper luxury jewelry storage. Hang your necklaces on hooks inside a jewelry box with hooks, so the chains hang nicely, or use a slim jewelry organizer to keep each chain separate.
If you hang your necklaces or lay them flat without overlapping them, you’ll avoid chain tangles before they start.
Try Baby Powder For Sticky Tangles
You can use the baby powder method if you have a super tight or sticky knot in a chain. The fine powder reduces friction, and helps your chain to slide apart without having to use force.
Start by laying your necklace on a flat surface, and keep the clasp of the necklace open, so the chain can move freely.
Sprinkle a small amount of baby powder directly onto the knot – you don’t need much powder. Use your fingers to gently rub the powder into the tangled area.
The baby powder works by coating the metal, loosening the grip between the links of the chain, and lowers the risk of bending or breaking a thin chain.
Once the chain is coated in baby powder, use a toothpick or safety pin to tease the knot apart, pulling the chain links away from the center of the knot/s, and you can add a little more baby powder, if the chain still feels too tight.
After you’ve untangled your chain, wipe it clean with a soft cloth, and remove all of the baby powder remnants before storing it, or wearing it.
Use A Drop Of Oil For Tight Knots
If the baby powder method didn’t work, you can try a drop of oil like baby oil or olive oil. The oil reduces friction and helps the links slide apart.
Lay your necklace or chain flat on a soft cloth, so the cloth keeps the chain steady, and protects it from scratches.
Place one small drop of oil directly on the knot, and gently rub the knot with your fingers, to spread the oil.
Use a fine needle, a pin or a safety pin to pick and loosen the center of the knot, working slowly with light pressure to avoid pulling the chain harder.
Once your chain’s knot loosens, wipe the chain with a dry cloth, and remove any leftover oil so it does not collect dust. If there’s still oil residue on your chain, wash the necklace with mild soap and water, then dry it fully.
Use Two Pins To Gently Pick Apart Links
For the baby powder method or the baby oil method, you can use the sharp precise tip of a needle or pin to loosen the knot from the center.
Laying the chain flat, hold the knot steady with one hand, and with your other hand, slide the tip of the pin/needle into the center of the knot, and use a second pin/needle to work from the opposite side.
Using two pins gives you better control, working like small tweezers to let you separate links without pulling on the chain. If the knot feels stiff, you can add a little more baby oil to reduce the friction, and focus on one necklace at a time, so you don’t create new knots forming.
