Picking the right clasp for your necklaces and bracelets is so important. You should consider two things when choosing the clasp for any piece of jewelry, function and style. Will it do the job and how well does it compliment the piece.
A small spring ring type clasp will be secure and while it is not obtrusive, it doesn't add any interest to the piece. These are the most common clasps found on costume jewelry.
Barrel clasps screw tightly together and work well for both necklaces and bracelets. If you have trouble with your hands this is probably not a good clasp for you.
Toggle clasps are much prettier and can even be the focal point of your necklace or bracelet but they need to be tight enough not to fall off, without being so tight you have to struggle to attach them.
Magnetic clasps are easy to get on and a favorite for necklaces with my older customers. Bracelets can also be made with magnetic clasps but they attach themselves to anything metallic such as metal desks, file cabinets, railings, even silverware, so beware!
Safety clasps are another good option for all types of jewelry. The classic pearl clasp stays on but can be hard to attach until you get the hang of the turning around the "u" shaped hook. Adding a chain to each side of the closure is a good way to make sure you don't lose your necklace or bracelet.
S-hooks look wonderful on necklaces and are easy to attach but aren't usually a good option for bracelets since the motion of your hands can make them come apart.
Hook and eye clasps are another good clasp for necklaces but not quite a good for bracelets. Some hook and eyes have a very small or curved opening and these will work better for bracelets.
Of course there are no set rules about clasps. It is a matter of taste and preference. If one of my customers prefers a different clasp, I'm always happy to make the change for them. It's a good idea to shake your hand when trying a bracelet to see if it stays on. I test all of the bracelets I make to see if I can shake them off. If I can, I change the clasp.
3 Comments:
Nice write up about clasps. I too make chain maille jewelry and enjoy reading other people's blogs. Clasps are so funny even when you think you have chosen the perfect one for your design. Customers seem to have their own take on what they like. You never know. Keep up the good work. Bev
Thanks for the comment, Bev, and thanks for reading my blog.
That's interesting about hooks-and-eyes coming apart when used on bracelets. I've never tried it, but I've had tons of trouble with toggle clasps falling open on bracelets. I've read that toggles need constant tension, so they're best on necklaces - but they LOOK better on bracelets! Oh well....be interesting if anyone else has had this experience with toggles.
Post a Comment