Makeover a Scratchy Necklace

Redesign and Rebuild Problem Jewelry

My friend, Jackie, has very sensitive skin. The enameled dove charm on this necklace was strung on a gold chain which felt like sandpaper against her neck. She asked if I could remedy that somehow.

My solution was to string the charm on black rubber jewelry tubing. It's a more casual look, but Jackie's actually a pretty casual gal. I also suggested a magnetic barrel clasp to make the necklace easier to fasten.

Though I did this necklace makeover as a favor for a friend, I used to do jewelry makeovers and repairs for profit.

Read How to Expand Your Craft Business by Doing Jewelry Repairs.

Necklace Makeover Materials

• Black rubber jewelry tube
• 3-strand nylon coated wire jewelry cable
• Gold magnetic barrel clasp
• 2 gold crimp beads
• 2 gold crimp bead "sleeves"
• Scissors
• 2 jeweler's pliers - flat or chain nose are easiest to use for this project
• Crimping pliers
• Jeweler's or other strong clear glue (I used Liquid Fusion.)

Makeover Instructions

Cut rubber tube to the length you want the finished necklace, minus allowance for the clasp and crimp beads.

Thread cabled wire through rubber tube.

Tip: leave the wire on the roll as shown while threading.

Leave about two inches of bare wire extending beyond the rubber tube at each end and cut the wire.

Slide a crimp bead on one end of the wire. Run the wire through one ring of the barrel clasp; then back through the crimp bead and down into the rubber tube.

Crimping pliers are really nice for a secure closure; but not necessary in this project since the "sleeve" will cover the crimp bead works. I happen to have crimping pliers and just love the nice clean secure finish they give.

Getting the crimp bead as tight on the second end is a bit of a challenge especially when using a magnetic clasp (which tends to glom onto the clasp, crimp bead and any other magnetic metal which gets in the way).

Thread the wire through crimp bead, the loop on the clasp and back through the crimp bead as before. Then pull the wire taut and use needle nose pliers to hold the clasp and crimp bead snugly against the necklace tube.

Use your free hand to ease the loose end of wire into the rubber tube as far as possible. Then crimp.

Voilà, a nice tight crimp bead closure on both ends!

Put a dab of jeweler's glue over the area where the crimp bead cover will go and slide the sleeve into place to cover the crimp bead works. Set aside to dry for 24 hours.

I don't really know what these gold "sleeves" are, they just happened to be in my beading stash. I think they make very nice crimp bead covers ;-)