Detangling Your Jewelry Tips
We've all had the experience of reaching into a jewelry box
for the necklace we're in the mood to wear, and finding the chain tangled and
knotted up with other pieces, or even worse, tangled on itself. With a little patience and some good lighting, you can detangle that pesky knot in the chain yourself. After you check out these tips on detangling that knotted
chain, I'll follow up with a post on jewelry storage tips to help prevent a tangle from happening again!
How to Remove a Knot from a Necklace
1. Calm your mind. If you're frustrated as you attempt to
detangle a piece of jewelry, you're more likely to damage or break the chain.
If you're in a rush, set the necklace aside to detangle later.
2. Find a flat, well-lit work area. A desktop or kitchen
table is perfect. Unclasp the necklace and set it flat. You'll make faster
progress working this way than by holding the knot in the air.
3. You’ll need two fine sewing needles or two safety pins
that are open at a wide angle.
4. Choose a starting point. If more than one necklace is
tangled, focus on one chain at a time and one knot at a time. Poke one sewing
needle into the center of the knot and use the other needle to pick at the
knot very gently until you loosen a loop.
 |
| A safety pin or needle can help you undo that knot in your necklace. |
5. Take it slow. As you work the
knot loose, create a hole to work with so that you can pull the chain through. Spread
the loops of the knot wide on the table so you can see which parts are tangled.
Work the chain free by removing one tangle at a time.
BONUS TIP: If a chain has a stubborn
knot, a drop of oil may help loosen things up. Put a drop of olive oil,
vegetable oil, or baby oil directly on the tangle and work it in. Once the
necklace is untangled, dip it in warm water with a bit of dish soap to remove
the oil, and pat it dry.
I've detangled dozens of necklaces over the years, even a few Peggy Li Creations chains, and by far the most important step is the first. Don't struggle with the jewelry piece, put it aside when you have a few minutes to sort it out.
xoxo
Peggy
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