Chain necklaces vary in length, from short to long. With basic jewelry-making techniques, you can shorten a chain necklace.

How to Shorten a Necklace
  • Ruler
  • 3-in-1 jewelry pliers 
  • Jewelry clasp
  • 8-10mm jump rings
How to Shorten a Necklace
How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace Unclasp the necklace. At one end of the chain, open the jump ring by bending the ends away from each other.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace Remove the jump ring and the clasp from the chain.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace Repeat on the other end of the chain.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace Some necklaces include an extender chain made of large chain links. A jewelry clasp can latch on to any part of this chain, which changes the length of the necklace when you wear it. To make your shortened necklace adjustable, set aside this piece and add it later. Determine the desired length of your necklace. Use the ruler to determine how much chain you should remove from the long necklace to achieve this length. For this project, 7 inches of chain were removed from each side.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace Place the chain between the cutting portion of the jewelry pliers.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace Cut the chain.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace Trim away the same amount of chain on the other side of the necklace.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace At one end of the chain, add an open jump ring. Add the jewelry clasp to the jump ring.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace Close the jump ring by bending the ends towards each other.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace Place the jump ring between the flattening portion of the jewelry pliers and squeeze the handles together. This action closes the jump ring by pushing the ends towards each other. At the other end of the chain, use the same technique to attach a jump ring. If you want to use the extender chain, add it to the jump ring before you close it.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace For this tutorial, the length of the shortened necklace is 18 inches long.

How to Shorten a Necklace

How to Shorten a Necklace