Where’s my chain gang at??

I’m absolutely loving the stackable gold chain trend. I typically wear 4 at a time myself and wouldn’t mind adding another to the mix!

But what happens when they start to tangle on one and other?! I see it all the time, clients come into the jewelry store with a big old knot full of chains. FYI…That’s a quick way to breakage/or and damage.

Repairing chains can get expensive and in some cases if they’re not real gold they’re not even repairable…sad day. Here are some tips and tricks to keeping your chains in tip top shape for a long life time of wear.

Tips & Tricks

Lay them flat on a table or bed stand
- This especially rings true for those Herringbone chains. The flat link style is NOT repairable once it starts to kink or get bent. You can try to flatten them out again but chances are that you’ll see the kink forever.
Put them into a jewelry storage system
- I love the jewelry storage system from the container store. Similar to the first style below. They offer stackable trays that allow you to organize your jewelry in sections. The alternatives that allow you to hang your jewelry are a good option for saving space as well. If you’re going to spend a lot of money on your jewelry, you might as well take care of it and get some decent storage!

Traveling Tips

Clasp them so they’re closed, put them into an individual plastic zip lock and leave just the clasp portion out. Then secure the zip lock except for the tiny piece of chain (see photo to the left and below). This will help keep the necklace from tangling on itself.

Use a straw. Cut a straw and thread your chain through the straw, clasp it on the outside so that it doesn't tangle on itself.

Take Your Necklaces Off!!

Please, please, please take your chains & necklaces off before bed time! We toss and turn so much in our sleep and it puts a ton of pressure and stress onto these dainty little chains! If you can take your necklaces or chains off before bed and set them on your night stand, they’ll thank you!! (As will your wallet when you don’t have to have them repaired.)

If You Need A Repair

If They’re Gold or Sterling Silver:

Find a jeweler who can provide a soldering service. (Come see me at Hurdle’s Jewelry in Boulder for help with any of these repairs!) Typically this should run $25 per solder depending on the complexity of the piece and the break.

If They’re Not Gold (i.e. Costume Jewelry):

Costume jewelry can be tricky to repair. In some cases, they’re not repairable. If they can be repaired find a jeweler who has a laser machine. The key to this is that traditional solder will not work due to it’s heating component. The costume jewelry material will be ruined if it is heated or you may see plating discolor where it’s worked on. This can still happen with a laser repair but it’s likely to be a tiny spot. Laser welders are EXTREMELY expensive machines, which means the repairs can be expensive too. At Hurdle’s Jewelry we start around $55 for a laser repair. It goes up depending on the complexity of the piece and is often not guaranteed due to the nature of the original jewelry material.