What happens when you buy a gift for someone or receive a gift and the necklace or bracelet is too small? Well if you bought it yourself you can go back to the jeweler and pay an extra $20 or more depending how valuable the chain is to get it professionally extended but if it was given as a gift that is not always an option. The ideal cheap way to make any piece of jewelry fit snuggly is to make your very own chain extender.


The idea behind a chain extender is to make your bracelet or necklace longer so all you really need is a piece of link chain about 4 inches long and use this as the extension. You can purchase link chains at any jewelers’ store and get the style and color to match your own piece but the beauty of it is that it doesn’t always have to match exactly as it will clasp onto one side of the piece and dangle on the other so it looks like an extension that is already on most pieces when you buy them.


You can buy extra links from jewelers and they will either have the style you require in store or they will have to order in, a lot of jewelers hang onto scrap links from previous adjustments so you maybe luck and be able to buy it there and then. Remember
the links don’t have to match exactly as most original pieces of jewelry always have an extension piece near the clasp that differs in link size to the rest of the chain to make it adjustable.


Another option is to go through your old jewelry that you no longer wear and take the clasp and some links off that and use it on the new bracelet or necklace to adjust the size. If you are buying a piece then I suggest you get an extension with a lobster clasp on one end because lobsters are durable and easy to hook.


Basically you can get extension pieces in all precious metals and stainless steal and with all varieties of clasp sizes and link styles to suit your particular needs. By getting the 4 inch extension you have the option to adjust the size of your jewelry to make it slightly longer or tighter according to your mood its better to get it a little longer leaving room for adjustments.


There will usually be a 2 inch piece dangling down but this will be hidden under your hair on a necklace and on a bracelet you can leave it dangling and maybe add a charm and this will give it a modern charm bracelet look if this doesn’t appeal to you then simply opt for the smaller chain or get it fitted by the jewelers’ so there will be no slack.