Which jewelry clasp to choose?

The choice of the clasp is very important when creating a jewel. It can have a functional as well as a decorative role. Sometimes, it can even be the main element of the jewel.
At Perles & Co we offer you more than 1000 clasps for costume jewelry of different styles, sizes and materials. It can be difficult to find your way in the middle of all this choice. Especially if you are a beginner and don't know their names.
That's why we decided to make a Facebook Live and a technical sheet to introduce you to different types of clasps and their use. This Facebook live was broadcasted on May 28, 2021 at 4pm.

The different types of jewelry clasps

Some clasps may have several different names or may not be named the same from person to person. The list below shows the names given that you will find on our site. Please feel free to comment at the bottom of the page if you have any other information that could complete this list.

• Lobster Clasp (4:10): This is perhaps the most classic and most common in costume jewelry. It can be used to fasten necklaces as well as bracelets. Thanks to its spring, it closes automatically and the jewel has little risk to reopen.
• Spring ring clasp (5:29): It is very similar to the lobster clasp, but it has a ring shape. It is most often used on thin necklaces or bracelets because it can be smaller and more delicate. As large metal chains are in fashion at the moment, we also see them in XXL size for a stylish effect.
• Buoy Clasp (6:50): This is a spring ring clasp with a buoy design. Very practical, it has built-in fasteners so you can easily hang a chain on it. Very fashionable since 2020, it is often used as the main element of a bracelet or worn on the front as a pendant when attached to a necklace.
• Screw clasp (7:45): They are screwed on and off to open and close. Traditionally they look like a tube and are used for thin necklaces. But for some time now, there are some with more original shapes like hollow hearts or ovals. The latter, like the buoy clasps, are used as the central element of the jewelry.
• Clip-on clasp (10:11): These jewelry clasps are composed of two parts. It consists of a decorative part with a slot on the side and a bent metal part with a spring effect that clips into the slot. These clips are easier to open with one hand, by pinching the bent metal with two fingers like a clothespin.
  They can be used for both necklaces and bracelets, but are most commonly seen on necklaces. Except in the case of clip-on clasps for multiranks which are very practical for wide bracelets.

• Sliding clasp (11:10): This is the same principle as the clip-on clasp. But the second part does not clip, it slides into the first part.
• Handcuff clasp (13:25): It is also composed of two almost identical parts. They look like handcuffs, hence the name. The two parts have slots that are interlocked to close it. They are not very secure. They should be used on long and heavy collars to prevent the two parts from separating by themselves.
• Hook clasp (14:33): As the name suggests, it is hook-shaped. It can be made of one part (in which case it will have a clasp) or two parts. To be used mainly on necklaces.
• T, toggle or toggleclasp(16:10): It is composed of two parts: on one side, a ring or a hollowed out shape such as a heart or a flower, and on the other, a bar that locks against the shape. It can be used for both necklaces and bracelets, but it is less secure than a lobster clasp.
• Magnet clasp (16:40): There are many different shapes. The use of magnets for the clasp allows a great deal of freedom in the design. Some have loops to attach a chain, others are rectangular with two slots to attach laces or weaves.
  Small magnetic clasps for bracelets (other than lace clasps) are convenient, but can make you lose the bracelet easily. For example, by grabbing a metal door handle. Think about it.

There are still dozens of different clasps available, with manufacturers vying for your attention. Feel free to browse through our treasure trove to find your next favorite clasp. There are also clasps sold with various other attachments such as lace clips or extension chains to make adjustable bracelets.

Don't hesitate to join our Facebook page and the Facebook group of the super customers Perles and Co to discover even more creative content.