Arguably the worst part of owning jewelry is the jewelry care. For starters, you can't throw your favorite jewelry in the washing machine like you would your favorite sweater or pair of jeans; there are very specific ways to clean silver and gold jewelry, to clean earrings and diamond rings, etc. The way you store your jewelry is also an integral part of its care. Take necklaces, for example. If you don't hang them on a shelf or keep them carefully in a drawer, you better learn how to untangle necklaces, because knots in chains are a common occurrence and are the worst.
Untangling necklaces has always been my strong suit. I always chalked it up to the fact that I had long nails, but I admit that it was because I never had the patience or desire to learn how to handle it. I simply handed the slippery, yard-thin metal to my father (who was a whiz at unraveling necklaces and unzipping them) and the next morning the jewelry would sit beautifully on my desk without blemish. Then I got married and moved out, and I figured it was a good time to learn the tricks of the trade.
Admittedly, I'm still not skilled at this. However, my husband - whose jewelry collection includes two watches, his wedding ring and a pair of gauges, mind you - can untie a difficult knot in less than 60 seconds. So to end my journey on the struggle bus, I reached out to celebrity fashion stylist KJ Moody and Alicia Sandve, founder of HEYMAEVE, to learn their best tips and tricks for untangling necklaces in a pinch. Check out their crazy methods below.
What You'll Need
- Two small, pointed items, such as straight pins or sewing needles
- A bowl of warm water
- A fork
- Soap
- Olive oil
Untangle Necklaces With Moody's 5-Step System
According to Moody, the secret to untying the necklace is to work slowly and use the right tools: something small and pointed, and a bowl of warm, soapy water.
- The first step, Moody says, is to loosen the knot as much as possible." Use your hands to separate as much as possible, and if multiple chains are tied together, use your thumb and pointy finger to tie the knot back and forth to help loosen it."
- From there, you can place (or each) entire necklace/chain flat on a smooth, solid surface. That's when the real work begins.
- "Use two small, pointed things like sewing pins, straight pins, toothpicks, or even push pins," Moody says, "to pull the sides apart, open the knot and untie the chain." If that still doesn't work, soak the necklace (be very careful with gems, pearls or beads) in warm, soapy water to help tie the knot if it's tight, then proceed to open the knot with a pin."
- The fifth step is the environmental factor, which ultimately depends on whether you are dealing with knotted chains (such as two or more necklaces tangled together) and how their weight varies. If one chain is heavy and the other is delicate, Moody recommends using shampoo rather than detergent to get the necklace out of the knot. You may also want to use two separate weights (a fork for larger necklaces and a pin/pin for finer necklaces) to tie the knot.
Sandve's Secret to Untangling Necklaces Is Olive Oil
Your best defense against stubborn knots may be in your kitchen pantry, and Sandve - whose go-to method is also the ultra-fine needle route - adds that if the knot at hand is particularly difficult to untangle, a small drop of olive oil on the knot before stabbing the needle into the tangled seam should do the trick.
"Once untied, rinse in warm water and pat dry before storing," she says.
Worst Case Scenario, Tap a Professional
If there's almost nothing in your favor, or perhaps the necklace in question is precious, has sentimental value, or is a family heirloom, Moody says your best bet is to consult a professional.
"Please don't hesitate to take it to a professional jeweler to remove the knots and protect any precious stones."
