The art of opening and closing a necklace - managable clasps

[jerin]

Hello, members and guests of this forum!

I am aware that the clasp of a necklace shouldn´t be to large but I insist on not being the only one who has difficulties some times because the clasps are so tiny and especially hard to close or open, when the pearls at the "end" are 8 mm or larger. Than the pearl comes between my fingers and the clasp and it is really hard to get it through the different small holes to secure it before closing it. I do not want to squeeze the "end-pearls" but very often this is what happens anyway.

To clearify myself: I am talking about clasps like the filligran fishhook-clasps and oval interlocking clasps, they are especially hard to manage but for security-reasons they are great. However: why is it not possible to get a larger clasp that could act as decoration for the pearls without being extremely expensive?

Ball clasps are no better than the above metioned and the only other clasp that I think would be simple enough to close or open and is quite safe to wear does not look elegantly enough to suit a pearlnecklace. I mean the lobster-clasp.

I have seen a hinged clasp, which is trademarked Applaudere by A & Z Pearls. So far I was unable to find their WEB-site though.

A lot of fine clasps/pin adaptors, shorteners and pearlenhancers where shown and mentioned in the Pearl Buying Guide by Renée Newman but where can I get them?

I do not have large hands with thick fingers and usually am not clumsy with them, still it is not easy to fasten/open my necklaces.

I have posted these questions earlier but so far no answers from anyone.

I am aware that many of the members of this forum ar men who are not daily wearers of pearlnecklaces - could it be because of that, that I am getting nowhere with my questions?


Secondly: where can I get Pearl shorteners for pearls larger than 8 mm? And where are there more than one type to choose from? PP had only one type, granted it was in 14 K gold, but still I would like to have some more to choose from. Any web-sites available for findings?


Have a nice day all of You,


Inge Jernberg

 

[jshepherd]

Inge,

I with you that pearl clasps can be notoriously difficult to fasten/unfasten. In fact, on our ball clasps the extra jump-ring is a custom feature that we actually pay for in addition to the cost of the clasp to alleviate some of this difficulty. What I feel makes pearl fasteners more difficult is the fact that you are dealing with a round pearl near the clasp, not a chain.
It is possible something like a large lobster-claw clasp may be a bit easier for you. You could finish a strand with a medium to large lobster claw on one side, and a 7-8mm jump-ring on the other side. This would be safe, and attaching it would be similar to just snapping it into place.
A toggle clasp may be another way to go. With a toggle there would be no mechanism that you would have to deal with.
Unfortunately the companies that sell these types of things are usually wholesale-only. But a local jeweler should be able to find something like that mentioned.

Regarding the pearl shortener, I have not seen a lot of these. In fact the style we carry was difficult to find. When we finally found a company that produced them (in only one style) we bought several hundred. This is not something we have a lot of demand for, but when we do it can be difficult to find at a good price.

 

[dutchpearl]

Applaudere

Applaudere

Hi Inge,
Is this the one you mean. (see picture)
If it is I can tell you where I ordered it
Marjan

 

[jerin]

The Applaudere Clasp

The Applaudere Clasp

Hi, Marjan,

these are exactly the clasps I mean. I have some pictures of them in my book "The Pearl Buying Guide" by Renée Newman.

Appreciate it if You can give me an address so I can order them.


The Best

Inge Jernberg

 

[PearlsAndJade.com]

Hi, Marjan,

these are exactly the clasps I mean. I have some pictures of them in my book "The Pearl Buying Guide" by Renée Newman.
Appreciate it if You can give me an address so I can order them.
The Best
Inge Jernberg

I've been looking for these also, and haven't been able to located them, so I would love to know who stocks them.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[dutchpearl]

Hello Bill and Inge,

The company that stocks them is located in China, (there might be one somewhere else too, but of this one I'm sure) .
The adress:
Yixin Jewellery accesories
4 th floor no. 103 Hong Qiao Market
Chongwen district
Beijing
Tel /fax (010 ) 67117562 (office)
tel market (010) 6713945
Post code 100061

Or in Shanghai:

Nr. 25 @nd floor Nanjing East Road 558
tel/fax: (021) 63223455

They have many findings for fair prices and will be glad to ship it.
Of this "hinged spherical" clasp they also have another model, but that's not so nice, and they have it in silver but that doesn't work, the silver is too soft.

Good luck,
Marjan

 

[PearlsAndJade.com]

Thanks for the info Marjan,

Bill

 

[Richard W. Wise]

Unfortunately most commercially made clasps are really poor quality. If you have a high quality strand, finding a clasp that matches it in quality can be a task.

We solved the problem by making our own. There are also some very high quality European made clasps out there.

Good luck.

 

[jerin]

Findings and clasps

Findings and clasps

Richard, Dutchpearl, Bill and all other members!

Can you (Richard) please give us an address? Where will we be able to get some "Classy" clasps that are not too expensive and will work well?

Dutchpearl, what material is the Applaudere clasp? 14 K Gold or what?



Inge Jernberg

 

[dutchpearl]

applaudere clasp

applaudere clasp

Hi inge,
The clasp of the pictures is 14 K gold.
They have them in 925 silver, but they don't work (silver too soft)
Regards, Marjan

 

[purepearls]

Dear Inge,
Yes, I agree. Clasps can sometimes be very difficult to fasten, especially when they are smaller. There are screw clasps that look very nice but they are hard to find. Screw clasps are often found in estate jewelry. I found a company who carries many different types of pearl shortners, enhancers, clasps, etc. The company is in New York can be found at www.newyorkfindings.com.

Here are some links:
http://www.newyorkfindings.com/YellowFindingsCatalog/photos/Page9.jpg

http://www.newyorkfindings.com/YellowFindingsCatalog/photos/Page15.jpg

 

[purepearls]

I also want to add that toggle clasps are very nice and very easy to manage! They are growing in popularity in designer pieces. The design of a toggle clasp also makes it a very secure clasp.

 

[The Pearl Outlet]

Basket Clasps

Basket Clasps

I've known these clasps as "Basket Clasps". New York findings does indeed have a large selection of them. Stuller is also now carrying at least one that I know of.

I noticed that in the New York Findings catalog they picture pearl necklaces made with two basket clasps. I've found, however, that a single basket clasp is more versatile. Check out the picture of this necklace we've designed with a single ball clasp. It can be worn at any length, up to its full length.

Variable Length Strand

 

[purepearls]

Security of Clasps

Security of Clasps

There are a number of different clasp types available and I can definitely understand the difficulty in finding functional yet beautiful clasps. It is important to note that some clasps may be easy to use but they may not be as secure. Make sure when purchasing clasps that they are going to have the necessary features to keep the clasp from opening.

 

[jerin]

Nice clasps

Nice clasps

Hi, Amanda,

even though some time has gone by I wanted You to let You know that I tried the given link of the New York Findings company. unfortunately they do not sell to privat persons (at least not in Europe).

I wonder if it would be possible to get this clasp through some one of the online sellers? The Toggle clasp is really easy but I do not find it elegant or beautiful at all.

Regards

Inge Jernberg

 

[Caitlin]

Hi Inge
I am going to make a buy from Bella Findings this month.
http://www.bellafindings.com/jewelscart2000/store/jewelscart2000_dynamicIndex.asp

If you go to their website and find any clasps you like, let me know. I think I had to give them my resale number to get the prices online...anyway, let me know, I'll try to help.

Also Bella Findings has the silk cord on spools- it's not listed online, but I have ordered it over the phone from them.

In fact, I think you can call them direct. I don't think they asked for my resale number over the phone, they just took my Visa card # and sent the stuff. Make your list from the online catalog, then call them direct. If it works, you never regret it. these are good people.

I have all the same problems as you with clasps and have decided to order an number of these magnetic clasps:
http://www.bellafindings.com/jewelscart2000/store/jewelscart2000_viewItem.asp?idProduct=10911
They interlock so weight will not open them, but a simple holding and breaking it open does the trick. I have worn this style for over a year and love it. It even passed the checkup for my pacemaker. Being a magnet, I wondered if it affected the electronics, but a simple test showed it did not. For me, this is the PERFECT clasp solution. I only use sterling, but I think they have these in gold too.

Good luck, let me know if I can help.

 

[CLICLASP]

More info about clasps??

More info about clasps??

Hello everybody,
As a new member, I am replying a bit late, needing time to browse all forum...

Well ,have you ever heard about changeable clasps? I am using them. It is a Swisss registered mecanism that allows safely to open and close -of course- plus changing clasps and fitted necklace as well. It is composed of 2 special steel or gold keys to be drilled and fixed at the 2 ends' necklace (then easily re-string the pearl necklace).
Then the clasp is a " push and turn" system that safely goes into the necklace's keys. The clasp itself is a steel or gold mecanism that can be easily set into a pearl or a bead stone or all in steel or gold as well. So you can use one from your pearl necklace to convert it into a clasp and make a pearl necklace + clasp with the strand.

Moreover the interest is to change from on another :either changing the clasp either changing te necklace.

Australian and German people are very found of that system.
See my site for more info. Don't hesitate if more infos needed at changezdefermoir@myway.com.

Hope it can helps !!

 

[purepearls]

Hi Inge,
This may be a bit late but if you let me know which clasp you would like, I will get it for you. Also, have any of you ever seen the "S" Clasp. I've seen them a lot in designer jewelry but they really don't make them for pearl necklaces. I think they are really pretty and am looking to have them made for a new line that I am currently designing.

 

[Valeria101]

S clasp? Sure...

Some Greek Key and double loop versions along the same line are among the nicest (low tech) custom designs in my book

Are the new ones anywhere to be seen yet? (just curious).

 

[knotty panda]

I'm with all y'all! One of my biggest complaints is clasps. I like toggles for their ease and they are very secure. I like "S" clasps, but only on necklaces. They aren't secure enough for bracelets. New York findings will sell to me, but I won't buy from them. They are SO overpriced! I want to buy from Grassman-Blake, but so far, they ignore me. I guess I'm not big enough for them. I get the same run-around from Stuller. Does anyone use Rio Grande?