How can I shorten a silver snake chain? It has a screw on clasp at each end. I can’t see any way to make it shorter.
Liz,
Typically, you will gently sweat-off (Feather Heat lightly to the Chain End while it is under tension - have the Chain being held in a Third Hand and your free hand holding the Jump Ring of the Chain End with a pair of Cross-Locking Tweezers, while gently pulling up) the Chain End, which was most likely Paste Soldered on. Then saw the Chain to the length you need, clean up the edges and then you can Paste Solder in back on… If you do not have Paste Solder, then use Easy Sheet Solder and flow a little onto the Chain and Pickle it, before you place it into the Chain End and then Feather the Heat onto the Chain End and Chain until the Solder Flows… Hope this Helps…
Sorry for the quick and less detailed response, I’m about to be late to work…
Jonathan
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Jonathan gave a great explanation.
There’s no way to shorten that style of chain without cutting off a section and soldering.
If you’re not confident in your soldering skills, you can always take it to a jewelry store. It’s a common repair.
Best of luck!
Jeff
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Thank you for your advice.
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Many thanks. I think I’ll skip it as it sounds like a lot of work which I might fail at!
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