Ideas for a 5 strand costume clasp?

[KarinK]

Back in the 60'ies my mom wore a 5 strand fake pearls costume piece. I happen to still have the clasp and I like it although it is all fake. I am considering putting it to use again but I don't think the original design would work for me. I am thinking about a kind of choker maybe with the clasp in front. Maybe even brading five strands of pearls. But even the cost of real round freshwater pearls are putting me off a bit.

Any creative ideas? The clasp is about 1 inch long.

- Karin

 

[Pearl Dreams]

With 5 strands, the pearls need not be large-- or even very round. Some off-round or baroque smaller pearls would not cost very much, and the look would be artsy.

 

[Pearly Shell]

What about shell beads or perhaps coarl beads. It might give you a pearly look with out the pearly price.

 

[Caitlin]

Have you checked out the bead store pearls? They are very reasonable and often have fantastic luster. A bead store could have round beads close to the clasp in color and style. 10 or more pearls, then a "turquoise", etc. Turquoise and pearls or turquoise, coral and pearls are really yummy combinations.

The eye tends to make less round pearls look rounder then they are- unless you look for perfect roundness.
Good luck!

 

[KarinK]

Thank you Pearl Shelle, Pearl Dream, Donna and Caitlin,

I had been thinking a bit about shell beads - it is almost a sin, though There is a local wholesale gem faire in Copenhagen in August. I might wait for that and look for strands in person. Or bring the clasp with me to Oregon this summer as there seems to be a gem faire scheduled for Portland while we are there.

The idea of mixing with coral and/or turquoise is really good, maybe even turquoise and amethyst... Hmm... I am generally a purple kind of person like you, Caitlin.

How would I go about getting the clasp in front? Anyone tried to braide 5 strands of pearls 5 strands of anything)?

- Karin

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Getting the clasp in front is no big deal-- seriously, just turn it around toward the front!

Of course this will only look good if the strands aren't very long. You'd want the clasp to be somewhere around your throat or a little below.

 

[KarinK]

But I think the charm of the piece would be limited if the strands were wobbling down on either side of the clasp - thus a short piece.

I guess I am hoping for tips on how to make a five strand piece that will look good with the clasp in front. How does one go about deciding the length of the individual strands? That is one of my reasons for considering braiding the strands.

- Karin

 

[Pearl Dreams]

When I make multistrand pieces, I make each lower strand about 1 inch longer than the one above it.

 

[Caitlin]

I made a 5 strand Choker of black pearls for my Gothy daughter. I strung it on wire, so I could adjust each strand to fit her. A choker like that does not need "drape", so the wire worked out great. It was easy to work with.

If you want to knot a choker; start with attaching the top strand knot most of the strand and near the end, try it on each time you add a pearl or two until it fits well, then attach it. then fit each lower row the same way. You can do the bottom strand next and fit the others in between. It is not much much the order as it is getting each strand to fit like the others.


If you want the clasp in the hollow of your neck, start with the middle strand. Five strander take patience to fit, each strand may vary by one or or two pearls, depending on size.

This sounds like a great project for shell pearls, but if you have a chance to see John Tu's pearl, don't decide until after the Gem Faire

 

[CLICLASP]

Heo Karin,
I loooove your clasp, coral could be great , if this can inspire you , I have restrung an old clasp with mutistrand coral beads , but I prefered to go on a bracelet for that type of clasp.
This has to be adjusted to the wrist so that it stands on the right side of the wrist

To anyone interested in story of clasps in jewlery through ages, I wrote a story in photos there :
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=236759659887

 

[pattye]

What a lovely way to feature a beautiful cameo clasp, Anna! LOVE the natural coral!

Karin, looking forward to seeing the finished necklace!

 

[KarinK]

I love that, Anna! I am afraid that my costume clasp can't compete with that.

I went to the Gem Faire in Portland and got introduced to John by Pattye and Mariann. I ended up deciding on strands of small, nearly round FW pearls that have been dyed peacock. I thought that white pearls might make the piece a little too formal for daily wear. I forgot to bring the clasp so I am looking forward to introducing pearls and clasp when I return back home at the end of this month.

- Karin