How To Shorten A Too Long Necklace ? - Perles & Co

You've just found the perfect necklace to match your blouse for the first days of spring. The only problem is that it's a little long for your outfit. It would look much better as a Princess necklace.What a disappointment, it would be such a shame to pass it up... Fortunately, there are ways to shorten your chain or necklace.

How do I shorten a chain?

If it's a simple chain (Trace chain, Rombo chain, Jaseron chain, Cheval chain...) with open rings, shortening it is easy enough.Simplyopen the connectingring between your chain and clasp with two flat pliers. Use nylon-tipped pliers to avoid marking the metal.Remove your clasp. Then remove the extra link(s) to get the right length. Replace the clasp and the connecting ring.

If the large rings on your chain are stubborn, we'll show you how to get rid of them in another section.

How do I shorten a bead necklace?

Whether you're working with freshwater pearls, gemstone beads or resin beads, you'll have no choice but to remake your necklace! To do this, remove the clasp and wire, while keeping the order of your beads. Use a bead assembly tray for this step! All that's left to do is thread the beads onto a new wire, tie a knot if it's an elastic wire, or add Crimp beads to crush and replace the clasp.Caution: make sure you keep a certain balance by removing as many beads on the left as on the right, until you get the length you want.

Shortening a closed-link chain

Do you want to shorten a chain made of closed rings? In this case, you'll need to remove the clasp, then cut the links with wire cutters or jeweller's shears. All that's left to do is replace the clasp, and you're done!

Before embarking on a project, consult our chart to find out the right length of chain for a long necklace, choker, princess necklace or matinee necklace...

Shortening a necklace without cutting the chain

If you don't feel like cutting your chain, or if the links of your chain are too complex (Serpentine link, ball link...) and impossible to cut without altering the link, there are other solutions:

• Make several turns around your wrist to create a multi-link bracelet, or around your neck to create an accumulation of chokers.
• If your chain isn't too big, slip a pendant onto your chain and tie a knot just above it.
• Place your clasp on another link, at another point on the chain. When you close your necklace, you'll have a piece of chain that hangs as if it were an extension chain.