Why Can't I Open A Chain Link?

by Pat Smith
(Raleigh, NC, US)

I'm trying to open, and close, to no avail, a link from a purchased chain. I want to re purpose the chain into earrings. My heavy -duty cutters can't touch this chain, even my yard shears won't cut it. I can open it slightly by putting pliers on both sides of the chain link and pulling it. It will open slightly but it won't close all of the way and my ear wires are falling through the crack. It's a beautiful gold chain with some design on it and I hate to not be able to use it. I've never encountered anything this tough to work with before. Should I just give up?
Pat Smith pat@river2sea.org