How to Keep Your Necklaces From Getting Tangled or Twisted on Your Neck
Have you ever slipped on your favorite necklace in the morning only to find it in a tangled mess by lunch hour? Whether the clasp moved to the front, the chain flipped underneath, or your layered necklaces have knotted into one, it's annoying, to say the least. Why invest in a piece of jewelry only to have it jump and jostle around your neck?
Unfortunately, it's difficult to completely prevent a necklace from moving around, unless you stay perfectly still yourself. Yet there are ways to minimize the movement, so don't give up on necklaces just yet. We spoke to jewelry experts to hear their tips and tricks for keeping necklaces in place, depending on the issue and style of necklace.
If Your Clasp Keeps Twisting Around to the Front
A common issue with pendant necklaces is when the chain moves and the clasp suddenly sits in the front. This is because the clasp is likely heavier than the chain itself. To prevent this from happening, look for a necklace that has a counterweight on the clasp, or add one yourself. A counterweight can be anything from a charm, metal ball, or bead that is attached to the clasp. If your necklace doesn't come with one, you can purchase a charm online or at a craft store and attach it with a pair of tweezers.
If you don't like when pendants move around on the chain or flip, you can look for designs where the pendant is attached to both ends of the chain, like this style by BaubleBar. This will prevent the pendant from sliding up and down on the chain. You can also stick to heavier pendants that are less likely to move.
If Your Layered Necklaces Are Getting Tangled
Who else loves layering delicate chains? While it looks amazing in photos, the different pieces can get all twisted in real life. But with this simple trick, you can keep all your dainty necklaces in line:
Open both necklaces up and clasp necklace one to the non-clasp end of necklace two, so it creates one long chain.
Wrap the portion that you want to be the shorter necklace around your neck first and then clasp the two ends together.
Adjust the double wrap necklace so that the longer portion sits lower on your chest.
You then have the shorter necklace wrapped closer around your neck with the longer one dangling down. Voila! The necklaces will stay in place, won't tangle, and will be in the exact order you want.
If Your Diamond Tennis Necklace Wants to Flip to the Wrong Side
When wearing a strand of diamonds (or faux diamonds), the last thing you want is the chain to flip and hide the jewels from view. Unfortunately, diamond tennis necklaces are prone to flipping due to their lightweight design, and the fact that most styles don't have a pendant or heavy piece in the center of the chain to act as an anchor.
To make the necklace heavier, you can simply go up in carat size or choose a graduated style where the diamonds get increasingly larger towards the center. Both options will weigh the chain down and minimize flipping. Plus, who doesn't want a little more sparkle?
However, we understand that you might want to stick to a more subdued style that you can wear every day. A discreet way to add weight is to have a jeweler solder the necklace before or after purchase, says Joseph Abitbol, CEO of Gem Jewelers Co. In this process, extra metal is added to the underside of the necklace. This is also a good option if you already have a tennis necklace that is flipping.
Abitbol adds that shorter tennis necklaces are less likely to flip because there is more tension on the chain. You can go to a jeweler to have your necklace shortened, or look for a shorter design when shopping for a new one.
Regardless of the type of necklace, jewelry experts stress that selecting a high-quality piece will help prevent these issues. "A tennis necklace is an investment, and you really need to test it out before you make that purchase. Put it on, move around a little—even a jump or two doesn't hurt— and see if it falls back into place," says Janice Winter, president of Judith Ripka. "Also, what you wear matters. If the necklace hits the neckline of your top or dress, it won't sit right. It should either be above or below your neckline."
When clasping the necklace around your neck, ensure the chain is perfectly straight with no curves or bends to prevent any flipping, says Hillary Watson, senior director of sales and merchandising at Charles & Colvard. And don't fidget or play with it. Let the diamonds do their own thing.
