How to Unkink a Gold Chain

Gold chains add a refined, timeless accent to elegant outfits -- particularly those with warm or earthy hues, such as a burgundy dress or khaki top -- but their fine nature also poses a double-edged sword. Because these pieces are typically thin and delicate, anything from a wild night out to improper storage can easily put a kink in a gold chain. You don't need to twist your mind to untwist your necklace; you can turn to simple household items to straighten out the situation.

Undo the tangled chain's clasp. Press one pin, such as a straight pin or pushpin, into the center of the kink or knot. Work on a hard surface that you don't mind nicking or scratching with the pins, like the top of a thick magazine.

Pull the chain gently away from the center of the kink using the second pin. Use small repeated strokes as you pull away, “teasing” the chain away from the knot. As the chain untangles bit by bit, move the second pin to a still-tangled area and repeat the process, gently pulling away from the knot. Likewise, move the first pin to the center point of the kink as it unravels. This process creates wide openings in the chain rather than tight tangles; once the openings are wide enough, manually undo the kinks with your fingers.

Place the chain on a hard, smooth, nonporous surface, such as glass, if the straight pin trick doesn't work by itself. Apply a few drops of baby oil or mineral oil to the kinks, and repeat the pulling process with the pins. These oils lubricate the chain, helping ease out particularly stubborn kinks. Placing the chain on a layer of table salt serves the same purpose.