BPS JPT FOR YOU: How to Repair a Broken Necklace

Thursday, January 13, 2011

How to Repair a Broken Necklace

hai frds

A necklace in this state is a sorry sight.

So, you've broken that necklace you treasured and aren't sure what to do about it? Repairing broken necklaces is often easier than you think. Whether you've broken the clasp or snapped the necklace itself, collect up the pieces and this article should help you get it as good as new in no time.

Steps

Broken Clasp

This clasp was removed by opening the jump ring.
Find how your clasp is attached and remove it. In most cases this will simply be a case of opening a jump ring or ring on the clasp with pliers and then removing the clasp. However, if your clasp is attached in a more complex way, you may have to cut it off. (Strong wire cutters will usually work for this due to the soft metals used in most jewellery.)
These clasps are different sizes, but the same colour, so the replacement will be fine.
Acquire a new clasp. These are available from most craft stores and all specialist beading supply stores. Take the clasp you removed with you when buying a new one for reference to colour. Different alloys are different colours and a different coloured clasp will make it obvious that your necklace has been repaired. If you had to cut your clasp off or open a ring in the clasp, you may need to buy a jump ring as well as a clasp so you can attach it to your necklace.
Attach the new clasp by opening the jump ring or loop on the clasp and sliding it onto your necklace. Close the ring or loop to finish your necklace.

Broken Chain

Twist open the link that came apart, or the one next to it if it is badly damaged or lost, with needle nose pliers. If the link that came apart is badly damaged, you should now remove it.
Attach the other piece of chain by sliding it onto the link you opened.
Twist the link back together again to secure the chain. Ensure that it and the link it is attached to close tightly. (It may be a good idea to check the other links too, so you can tighten them before they too fall apart)

Snapped Elastic

Lay out the beads in their original order.
Cut a length of elastic about 4 inches (10cm) longer than was originally used for the necklace. It is best to use elastic that consists of rubber covered with woven fabric which looks much like a round shoelace, not plain rubber: if it is stretched too hard or pulled against a semi-sharp surface, the rubber within will generally break but the overall cord will just overstretch, not break.
Thread the loose beads back onto the elastic length.
Tie the ends together so that no elastic is visible, be careful not to stretch the elastic too much as this can cause it to break again. Tie the knot a few times to prevent it coming undone.
Cut off the excess elastic.

Broken String

Lay out the beads in the original order.
Cut a length of string (which is thin enough to go through your beads) which is a few inches longer than the original necklace.
Fasten the clasp to one end. Most string necklaces use a calotte (a finding with a hook and two round pieces which are folded together to cover a knot) to attach a clasp in a professional manner.
1. Slide the calotte onto the string.
2. Tie a knot at the end of the string a few times so it is secure.
3. Cut off any excess string.
4. Fold the calotte over the knot.
Thread the beads back onto the string.
Finish your necklace with another calotte in the same way as outlined in step 3.

Video

Tips

The best kind of pliers to use on jewelry a 'round nose pliers', which is a needle-nose pliers with smooth, not serrated, conical, not half-round, jaws. It doesn't have any angular edges to scratch jewelry, but, because pliers are hard, strong steel and jewelry is soft shiny metal, it might make light surface scuffs if not padded. Any pliers can be made more suitable by padding the jaws; wrapping with tape works for a very small job.
Necklaces with valuable beads such as pearls are often knotted between beads to prevent loss of many in an accident.