Sorry these pics are so dark. These three chains are made of human hair. Can anyone tell me the best way to store and preserve them? They are pretty dry and brittle.

I have seen "chains" like these that have hairs broken off and sticking out. I know if they aren't preserved just right they get bad. I don't plan to use them for carrying watches, but I would like to keep them nice if I can.

Steve, I've had a few of these, and found that washing them gently with one's favourite shampoo, then following up with hair conditioner and a good rinse always worked well.
Dry by gently patting them inside a thin soft cotton cloth.

I kept mine in a self seal plastic bag making sure all the air was pushed out as zipped up.

If you keep them on open display anywhere, they will pick up scents such as cooked food or cigarette/cigar smoke etc, so best kept in a glass case.

I had one that had quite bad 'split ends', so I waved a lighter flame under it to burn off the stubble, then lightly rubbed it with my fingers to brush off the ash.
Improved it no end!
Stinks awful though, so do it outside if you're feeling brave enough.

I got that tip from an Aussi mechanic I once worked with!
He always had the most imacculately trimmed beard, and we were intrigued as to how he kept it so neat.
One day he showed us how, and just pulled out his lighter, lit it and waved it under his chin, gave his beard a rub and 'hey presto' trimmed beard!

He did admit to having a fright one day when it actually caught fire .... so don't get the flame too close for too long!

John.

Here is a link to Hairlooms or Hair Art. I found it interesting. Hair Art

My grandmother did Hair Art. My mother had a flower arrangement that she made. It was always hung in our livingroom in a shadow box. It was made from hair from all of her siblings etc.

Thanks very much, friends. As always, you are my best source of help and information!

Steve G.

I understand men had them made from the hair of their departed females.