How To Keep Silver Necklaces from Tangling

For as much as jewelry lovers love their bling and baubles, nothing can be more frustrating than having a necklace kink up or get tangled. If you have a silver necklace that has kinked up or gotten so tangled up that you can't tell which end is which, here's how to spend some time working with it to restore it to its proper beauty.

Work with a light bright enough to see what form your necklace has taken, and have a couple of straight pins on hand to pick and separate knots. A magnifying glass also helps when working with small bits and pieces. It may also help to have a light colored work surface to better see the piece you are working on, or use a sheet of plain white copy paper to work on.

Running a light coating of vegetable or olive oil over the necklace helps to lubricate it and make it easier to separate. To start, make sure the necklace is unclasped and try gently rubbing and working out the knots. It may take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours to get the necklace straightened, depending on your patience level. As the knots begin to work themselves out, gently pull them apart.

When you have gotten your necklace laid out flat and in good order, wipe the oil off with a lint free cloth and clean if necessary.
The best way to keep your silver jewelry looking sleek and shiny is to store your pieces properly. Air gases that cause tarnish on silver (oxidation) can be daunting, therefore proper storage helps to keep that tarnished look at bay.

If you want to keep your chains and necklaces in good order, try folding them in flannel cloths and storing in ziplock bags or in airtight containers.

If you aren't concerned as much about tarnish, you can simply hang your necklaces on a peg board or corkboard, or simply tap a small nail into the wall and hang your pieces there.

Another way to guarantee a straight necklace is to pin it to velvet or felt covered piece of foamboard.

You can be sure that if you simply remove your necklace and let it pool into a little pile, it will very likely become tangled and kinked up.

If you wear your silver often, be sure to remove any items prior to housecleaning or working with any chemicals, and certainly remove your jewelry before taking a dip in the pool. Solvents and chemicals can cause irreparable damage to silver.

Keeping your silver clean and organized, you should be able to avoid the pitfalls of tangling and kinks. It pays to be prepared and have the tools on hand... just in case.