Guide to Different Styles of Jewelry Clasps
Clasp is the name given to any finding that is used at the ends of a bracelet, necklace, anklet or other wearable jewelry or apparel that closes the piece around a part of the body. They can come in a variety of metals, shapes, sizes and styles. Here are descriptions of the many types of clasps that we carry.
Toggle Clasps: Toggle clasps are comprised of two parts: a bar side and a ring side. To use a toggle clasp, the bar side is inserted through the ring side and then the bar sits atop the ring in its closed state. Toggle clasps are very easy to use, which makes them a favorite among many. When designing projects with a toggle intended as the clasp, make sure that whatever beads are at the end of your project are not too big and hinder the bar from being able to pass through the ring.
Lobster Clasps: One of the most commonly seen clasps in jewelry, the lobster clasp is a clasp that can look similar to a lobster claw. It has a trigger mechanism that allows a ring to fit inside an opening inside the claw, and when the trigger is released, completely closes around the ring. This clasp is most commonly seen on chains and all styles of beaded jewelry. Lobster clasps are loved for their security. Use them with a section of chain instead of a ring to make an extender on your jewelry.
Spring Ring Clasps: A spring ring is a small and discreet clasp that works in the same manner as a lobster claw. It is always a circle with a trigger mechanism which allows you to attach onto rings or chain. This clasp is most commonly used on chain necklaces, or delicate smaller scale, beaded designs.
Magnetic Clasps: The magnetic clasp is loved for its extreme ease of use. At first, most magnetic clasps were barrel shaped with a magnet in each half of the clasp but now they come in an array of styles. Use this clasp on any project so long as the beads are not too heavy that the magnet cannot hold them closed.
Hook and Eye Clasps: Just as its name implies, this clasp is held closed by a hook shaped side of the clasp that is hooked onto a ring, eyelet, or loop of some kind. These clasps tend to work the best on necklaces since bracelets pose the threat of coming undone if the hook comes out of the eye.
Multiple Strand Clasps: These clasps come in many styles, but to be categorized as a multiple strand clasp, these clasps will have more than just one loop for strand attachments. Some clasps may have as little as two loops whereas some others can have five, seven, even nine loops to attach many stands to! Use this style of clasp to create a chunky layered necklace or an eye catching cuff bracelet comprised of many strands of beads.
Sliding Bar/Tube Clasps: Most commonly seen made with multiple loops for attaching strands, this clasp is made up of two tubes where one slides inside of the other. Most recently, magnets have been put at the ends to better assist with the tubes staying interlocked. This clasp is helpful when trying to make a multi stranded project where you might not want the clasp finding to take up much space (for example: a cuff bracelet).
S-Hook Clasps: It’s no wonder how this clasp was named- after its “S” shaped form! It operates very similarly to the hook and eye clasp, however since this clasp has two hooks, it also has to eyes or rings that it attaches to. It is best to attach your necklace to the two rings first, and then attach the S-hook by closing one of the hooked sides around one of the rings, leaving one side to operate the opening and closing of the piece of jewelry.
Bolt Ring Clasps: This clasp is just a giant version of the much smaller spring ring. Use this claps if you want to achieve a classic closure look, but have much bigger beads that need some more support. To operate, just pull back the trigger, insert the ring from the other side into the bolt, and release the trigger to close.
Sister/Twin Clasps: This clasp is made from two shaped pieces of metal (most commonly they look like a “C”) that are the same in every way except for the fact that they have grooves in the surface in different places. When you go to link them together, rotate them so that they are perpendicular to each other and slide them along the corresponding grooves so that they interlock in the middle.
Button Clasps: This is a convenient clasp that works very well for bracelets. One side will have an opening in it that is made to fit over the “button” that protrudes up on the other side. In fact, this clasp works more like a clothing snap than a button, and makes it extremely easy to use.
Barrel Clasps: A barrel clasp is a kind of jewelry clasp used for necklaces, consisting of two part cylindrical screw clasps like barrels, with ridges that provide greater security for necklaces than magnetic or hook type clasps. They can be more difficult to attach around the back of a neck but they are more secure. This type of clasp is generally made in silver plated or gold plated styles.
Box Clasps: Box clasps have been used for centuries as a wonderful closure for all forms of jewelry. Because of the way they are constructed, box clasps also allow for many ornate designs to cover their surface, from filigree, to set stones, or granulation. Unlike what their name implies, box clasps come in many shapes and are not just rectangular. The box clasp operates by inserting a wedge like piece of metal into the much larger “box” side of the clasp. To reopen, just squeeze the wedge and remove from the box. These clasps can sometimes have an additional “figure 8” style safety catch at the side to ensure a very strong hold.
Tongue and Groove Clasps: Tongue and groove clasps are a form of box clasp that have an extra security feature. Instead of just inserting a wedge that it held in place by the right amount of pressure and size, this “tongue” will actually be looped around a small metal rod before being fully put inside the box. This way if the tongue ever loses it’s exact fit at any point, the tongue will still hang onto the bar it is hooked onto before the necklace or bracelet ever falls off.