While necklaces are meant to enhance our appearance, they can pose unexpected risks if worn carelessly. From clasp failures leading to lost jewellery to potential safety hazards in certain situations, understanding necklace safety protects both you and your precious pieces.
Clasp Security: Your First Line of Defence
The clasp is the most vulnerable component of any necklace. A failed clasp means a lost necklace, and in the case of valuable pieces, significant financial and emotional loss.
Understanding Clasp Types
- Lobster claw: The most secure common clasp. Recommended for valuable necklaces.
- Spring ring: Adequate for lighter pieces but can weaken over time. Check regularly.
- Toggle: Stylish but can accidentally open. Not recommended for valuable items.
- Barrel/screw: Very secure when properly fastened. Ensure threads aren't worn.
- Hook and eye: Simple but less secure. Best for casual, lighter pieces.
- Box clasp: Secure with a figure-eight safety catch. Excellent for pearls and valuable strands.
Before wearing valuable necklaces, give the clasp a gentle tug to ensure it's secure. Spring mechanisms weaken over time. If a clasp feels loose or requires force to close, have it replaced before wearing.
When to Add Safety Features
For high-value necklaces, consider adding a safety chain—a small secondary chain that connects both ends independently of the main clasp. If the primary clasp fails, the safety chain catches the necklace before it falls completely.
Chemical Exposure Hazards
Everyday chemicals can silently damage your necklaces, and some pose risks to your skin as well.
Household Chemicals to Avoid
- Chlorine (pools, cleaning products): Can permanently discolour gold alloys and damage gemstones.
- Bleach: Causes pitting and discolouration in most metals.
- Ammonia: Damages pearls, opals, and other porous stones irreversibly.
- Hairspray and perfume: Builds residue and can dull metals and stones over time.
- Lotions with acids: Glycolic acid and other skincare ingredients can affect metal finishes.
Apply all cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, and hair products before putting on your necklace. Remove jewellery before cleaning, swimming, or bathing. This simple habit prevents most chemical damage.
Metal Allergies and Reactions
Some people develop allergic reactions to certain metals, most commonly nickel (found in many gold alloys and some stainless steel). Symptoms include:
- Redness or rash where the necklace touches skin
- Itching or burning sensation
- Dry, blistered patches
- Skin discolouration
If you experience these symptoms, try nickel-free options: pure platinum, high-karat gold (18ct+), surgical stainless steel, or titanium. Some people find coating chains with clear nail polish provides a temporary barrier.
Physical Safety Considerations
In certain situations, wearing necklaces poses genuine safety risks.
When to Remove Your Necklace
- Operating machinery: Necklaces can catch in moving parts with serious consequences.
- Sports and exercise: Risk of catching, breaking, or causing injury during contact.
- Working with children: Babies and toddlers grab jewellery, posing strangulation risks.
- Medical procedures: Metal interferes with imaging and poses surgical risks.
- Sleeping: Chains can tangle, break, or cause skin irritation overnight.
When in doubt, take it off. No necklace is worth risking injury, and removing jewellery during risky activities also protects the piece from damage.
Children and Necklaces
Extra caution is required when children wear necklaces:
- Choose necklaces with breakaway clasps designed to release under pressure.
- Ensure length doesn't allow the necklace to catch on objects.
- Supervise young children wearing any jewellery.
- Avoid necklaces entirely for infants and toddlers.
- Check that pendants don't pose choking hazards if they break off.
Protecting Your Investment
Beyond personal safety, these practices protect your necklace from damage:
Safe Storage Practices
- Individual compartments: Store each necklace separately to prevent tangles and scratches.
- Lay flat: Don't hang necklaces long-term; gravity stretches chains.
- Secure location: Use a locked box or safe for valuable pieces.
- Away from heat: Don't store near radiators, windows, or heat sources.
- Controlled humidity: Too dry cracks pearls; too damp promotes tarnish.
Travel Safety
When travelling with necklaces:
- Use a dedicated jewellery travel case with individual compartments.
- For valuable pieces, keep them in carry-on luggage, never checked bags.
- Document pieces with photos before travelling for insurance purposes.
- Consider leaving irreplaceable pieces at home.
- Use hotel safes when not wearing jewellery.
Valuable necklaces should be specifically listed on your insurance policy with recent appraisals. Standard homeowner's policies often have low limits for jewellery theft. Consider a dedicated jewellery insurance policy for high-value pieces.
Recognising Damage Early
Regular inspection helps catch problems before they cause loss or injury:
What to Check Monthly
- Clasp function: Does it open, close, and lock properly?
- Chain integrity: Are any links bent, stretched, or weak?
- Setting security: Are stones loose? Gently wiggle them to check.
- String condition (pearls): Is there slack? Is the thread discoloured?
- Overall condition: Any unusual discolouration, rough spots, or damage?
When to Seek Professional Help
Don't delay professional attention for:
- Loose or missing stones
- Kinked or bent sections that won't straighten
- Clasps that don't lock securely
- Stretched chains or pearl strands
- Any structural damage
Prevention and awareness are the best protections for both yourself and your necklace collection. Regular inspection, proper storage, and mindful wearing habits ensure your pieces remain beautiful and safe for years to come.