Put olive oil on your thumb and index finger, then massage the knot slowly between the two fingers. Then use a sewing pin or safety pin to gently pull the knot apart. Without much effort, you should see the knot start to untangle.
Keep reading for more advice below and let us know what solution worked for you.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I just tried the baby powder method with a very small knot in a very thin gold necklace and ended up with the original small knot and at the other end a very large knot. Other ideas?
The baby powder method didn't work for me. What I've found is the easiest way is rubbing the knot between your thumb and forefinger gently to loosen the knot, then picking the knot apart (either with your fingers or sewing pins) It only took me about 2 minutes and the necklace has been knotted up for at least 2 years.
I put olive oil on my thumb and index finger and then rubbed the know slowly between the two fingers. I took two safety pins and was able to loosen two knots in a very thin chain.
Absolutely brilliant! The oil and pin trick. I'd spent the best part of 30-40 minutes trying get to my little knot out of a new necklace that i hadn't even worn yet, I was so frustrated. Then I came on here and in less than 30 seconds, it did the trick.
Thanks so much - I will pass that little snippet on. :*)
Canola oil and tweezers! Then I gently rubbed the knot with my middle finger and thumb. Then put a paperclip through the hole (circle) - then I was able to get the knot out and this was all under 45 seconds!
Can anyone tell me how to untangle a gold chain?
Just put a few drops of oil on the chain. Then work it in gently and it will loosen the knot and you will be able to untangle. This has worked for me many times.
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How do you get a knot out of a thin gold necklace?
Jerry from Hanover, PA
Would sliming it up with soap work so that you can loosen the knot without breaking? Maybe lard, crisco or oil? Let us know.
~Frugal for Life (03/21/2006)
By Dawn
Lay the chain on a small plate and pour a little drop or 2 of veg. oil on it. Use 2 pins to work the knot apart. Then carefully wash the chain in soap and water (with the drain plug closed!) (03/21/2006)
Use baby powder (talc or cornstarch would be OK). Shake the entire necklace in a baggie with baby powder and it should start to come loose. Use straight pins (or sewing needles) to separate the links. Good luck. (03/21/2006)
By Nancy Maloney
A drop of olive oil, two pins and really good light. IT takes some time, but be patient. Work on a surface that you can stick the pins into, and won't be ruined by a drop of olive oil.
Good luck (03/21/2006)
By Brandy
A fine needle, a magnifying glass (preferably hands free) some good light - and a lot of patience. (03/21/2006)
By Sandra
I've read somewhere that baby powder works great. (03/21/2006)
By Nancy
The oil and 2 pins on a large flat surface... always works. (03/21/2006)
By Mary, Crown Point, IN
Try holding the necklace (just above the knot) with a pair of tweezers. Then get a fine needle and if you can poke it in the knotted part. Hold the needle and the tweezers tight and gently shake them back and forth, it should loosen the knot a little. Either keep shaking with the needle or once it's loose use two pair of tweezers. (03/21/2006)
By LEONA LABINE
You need a person with very good eyesight and a lot of patience! It can be done! (03/22/2006)
By sheri darling
Thank you to everyone who suggested the oil and pin trick. I just tried it and it worked like a charm!!! Make sure to use a magnifier as well if your nearsighted vision is lacking... (09/16/2006)
By Susie B.
I tried the baby powder in baggie trick, and it worked like a charm! (04/29/2007)
By L
Using a baggie with baby powder and shaking it REALLY works! I just used it for a necklace that had 2 knots and both came out with about 5-10 minutes of work. Thanks! (05/13/2007)
By Nikki
I tried the baby powder trick for getting a knot out of necklace and it really worked. Thanks for the tip. (06/26/2007)
By Norma