How to Make an Adjustable Necklace Extender

There is no perfect necklace length. A desirable necklace length can depend on many factors–the wearer’s neck size, the preferred necklace length, a shirt’s neckline, and/or the staggered layering of multiple necklaces. An adjustable necklace extender allows you to vary your necklace’s length. This is an accessory you can make yourself and customize to perfectly match your existing necklaces. Here are step-by-step instructions to make your own necklace extender:

Here are the suggested supplies:

Small-Size Adjustable Extender Chain (shown in gold-plate)

• 4 inches 2.8mm oval curb chain by the foot or spool
• 2 each jump rings (I used 4.5mm round jump rings)
• 1 each clasp (I used a 10mm lobster clasp)
• 1 each ornamental drop charm

Medium-Size Adjustable Extender Chain (shown in antiqued-brass plate)

• 6 inches 4.2mm oval chain by the foot or spool
• 2 each jump rings (I used 4.5mm round jump rings)
• 1 each spring ring clasp (I used a 6mm spring ring clasp)
• 1 each ornamental drop charm

Large-Size Adjustable Extender Chain (shown in white plate)

• 4 inches 9mm ring/connector chain by the foot or spool
• 2 each jump rings (I used 4.5mm round jump rings)
• 1 each clasp (I used a 12mm lobster clasp)
• 1 each ornamental drop charm

I used these tools for this project:

• #69-275-31 Wubbers Medium, Flat-Nose Jewelry Making Pliers
• #69-275-03 Wubbers Chain-Nose Jewelry Making Pliers
• #69-056 EURO TOOL Side Flush Cutter

Measure a length of chain. Most ready-made necklace extenders are 3 to 4 inches in length; this allows the clasp connections to be hidden behind the neck. Of course, when making your own adjustable necklace extender, you can customize the length.

Use side flush cutters to cut a chain link at your measured length. I chose to use 4 inches of chain.

Lay out the components for assembly. You should have an ornamental drop, small jump ring, length of chain, small jump ring, and small clasp.

Attach the clasp. Twist open a jump ring, then insert the clasp loop and an end link of the chain. Twist the jump ring securely closed.

Attach the ornamental drop. Twist open a jump ring and use it to connect the ornamental drop to the other end link of the chain. Twist the jump ring securely closed.

The adjustable extender chain is ready for use.

How to attach the adjustable necklace extender:

• Attach the extender’s clasp to the end tab or end jump ring of a necklace chain.
• Attach the necklace’s clasp to any chain link in the necklace extender (the closer you attach to the ornamental drop, the longer the necklace will be).

Here is the necklace extender in use.

With all the footage chain choices available from Rings & Things, don’t feel limited by these suggestions!

Make Things,

Mollie

www.rings-things.com