How to Remove Permanent Jewelry (Safely, at Home)

Despite the name, taking permanent jewelry off is trivial. You do not need to go back to the studio, and you do not need a tool you don't already own. The only thing worth being careful about is where you cut, because cutting in the wrong place turns a re-weldable chain into a shortened one.

What you need

Small, sharp scissors — nail or cuticle scissors are ideal. Jewelry side cutters or flush cutters are better if you have them. Ordinary kitchen scissors will struggle on anything heavier than a fine chain and are more likely to crush a link than cut it.

Where to cut

Find the welded join — it's usually a slightly thicker, smoother link with no visible seam, often near the jump ring. Cut the link immediately next to the weld, not the weld itself. That leaves the chain its full length and gives the studio a clean end to re-join.

• Slide the chain so the join sits clear of your skin, on the outside of the wrist.
• Put a finger under the chain to lift it away — you want to cut metal, not skin.
• Cut one link beside the weld. Fine chains take one snip.
• Keep the piece. A re-weld is usually cheaper than a new bracelet.

Getting it re-welded

Most studios will re-weld a chain you bought from them for a small fee, and many will re-weld one you didn't. If you had it cut for a medical scan, say so — a number of studios waive the fee for that. Find a studio that can re-weld it.

If it breaks on its own

Chains usually fail at a link that's been snagged and pulled, not at the weld. If you still have both ends, keep them — the repair is the same job. If a length is missing, you're buying chain again, though only for the missing part at most studios.