Creating clasps?

[battah]

Not sure if this is even possible, but my mother has been on the hunt for a great clasp for her four-strand rice krispie necklace for ages. She wants something pretty decorative and a bit on the large side that she can wear to the front, with diamonds and possibly gemstones. I tried the usual suppliers but she didn't really love anything we found, so I'm wondering if there's a way to make a clasp. Has anyone tried converting a brooch into a clasp? Can't a jeweler just solder them together, maybe add rings for the strands?

Thanks!

 

[JerseyPearl]

You are in the DC area, have you tried Dominion Jewelers? I haven't been in there in YEARS, but I think they do custom work.

 

[battah]

I haven't tried them yet but I've been meaning to go visit! I follow them on Instagram and they post nice stuff. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try to stop by and ask them.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

A bench jeweler could make a converter to a hook clasp pretty easily. The long piece would slide on the brooch pin, with the hook down. The two little stoppers at the top would prevent twisting (they would need some pretty precise measurements to sit properly.

 

[battah]

That's awesome, thanks, LD! I'll show her your diagrams

 

[Purranha]

Battah! If your mom wants something larger and decorative, perhaps do a vi take dress clip pair conversion? Some of the vintage dress clips come in a pair and they hook onto this frame to form a symmetric brooch. I'm in office now but will see if I can dig up some of my vintage clip and take some pictures for idea generation. If your mom isn't set on precious metal/gemstones, those vintage components are fun and you can always chop them up and rework them!

 

[battah]

Dress clips are a great idea! I'll have her search those, too. Thanks, Purr!

 

[BWeaves]

I had a gentleman who made custom jewelry make me clasps for my dog collar, but that was 1980. I'm sure he's retired by now. And I don't remember his name.

For four strands of rice krispies you could double up on a two strand clasp, on the assumption you can find one you like, rather than a four strand clasp.

 

[Purranha]

I had a gentleman who made custom jewelry make me clasps for my dog collar, but that was 1980. I'm sure he's retired by now. And I don't remember his name.

For four strands of rice krispies you could double up on a two strand clasp, on the assumption you can find one you like, rather than a four strand clasp.

Oh yah - I think that's how Hisano did Newberry's legendary 4 strand vietnamese BBA torsade with the SoC blue peanut!

 

[battah]

I need to look that up, I think I saw it in photos at the Ruckus but I haven't seen close-ups.

 

[battah]

I found it! oooooooh

 

[BWeaves]

I know the orbit clasp can be found with two attachments on each half of the clasp. I've seen it on Rio Grande, but you have to look closely to see that's what's going on. Usually I can tell because I wonder why two identical clasps are completely different prices, and the more expensive one has an extra couple of loops.

 

[JerseyPearl]

Just to add to BWeaves observation...check the sizes, and the weights too! And when in doubt, call and ask...they are wonderful at both Rio Grande and Bella/GemPacked.

 

[battah]

I need to try to convince her an orbit is the way to go. She has arthritis and lately fiddling with little clasps has been a bit challenging, I think. An orbit would be a lot more comfortable, and IMO still very pretty.