Jewelry Clasps

Hook and Eye Clasps

Mechanically, these are the most straightforward and easiest jewelry clasps to use. They're similar to hook-and-eye fasteners on clothing.

To be secure, the hook goes through the ring (the “eye”) without much leeway on any side. Sometimes slight force is needed to get the hook into the ring. In addition to the ring being the correct size, the hook needs to be long enough that it won't slip out on its own. While the necklace is being worn, gravity pulls the strands and their attached pieces of the hook and eye clasp in opposite directions, which helps keep the clasp securely closed.

“S-clasps” are a type of hook and eye clasp with a more open design than that of a traditional hook and eye clasp. If an s-clasp is used on a bracelet, the hook has to be designed to snap into the ring with a little force so it won't slip out while the bracelet is being worn. A safety chain can be added if the hook fits too easily into the eye.

Toggle Clasps

Toggle clasps come in many different design styles, but all of them have a big ring connected to one end of the bracelet and a bar connected to the other end. To close the clasp, the bar is held vertically, put into the ring, pulled through and then laid across the sides of the ring. It's most important that the bar be long enough that it cannot slip through the ring without deliberately being held upright. It's also important that the bracelet not be too loose. If it is, the bar can work its way out of the ring. Toggle clasps are sometimes used on necklaces and then gravity plays a big part in keeping the clasp securely closed.

Slide Clasps

This type of jewelry clasp consists of two pieces with rings on their outer edge to which bracelet or necklace strands are attached. To open, one piece is pulled up out of the other. The inner piece often has little clips that securely hold it inside the bigger piece. Once the inner piece is snapped into the bigger one, slide clasps are very secure and look like one solid piece of metal.

Lobster Claw Clasps

These jewelry clasps have a piece that, when pushed down by a thumbnail, flips a section of the end ring out of the way just enough to slip the other end of the bracelet or necklace into the temporarily opened ring. When the piece is released, the ring closes. Lobster claw clasps come in many different styles but all of them work by moving a section of the ring to temporarily open it.

At ColorSpark Studio, we often use easy-to-open “double-push” lobster claw clasps. In these clasps, the ring is opened by squeezing buttons on each side with your thumb and finger. When the buttons are released, the ring closes and the necklace or bracelet is held securely.

Magnetic Clasps

Bracelets with this type of jewelry clasp are extremely easy to put on and take off. The outer design can vary, but all magnetic clasps have a small magnet inside each end of the bracelet. When the ends get near each other, the magnets cause the ends to snap together and close the clasp. The magnets are strong. The good thing about their strength is that the bracelet is kept securely closed. The not so good thing is that magnetic clasps should not be worn near a computer or by anyone with a pacemaker.

To open the clasp, avoid pulling the ends of the bracelet apart because that can pull one or both of the magnets out of their decorative cover. It's best to slide one end off of the other and break the magnets' connection that way. Sometimes it's necessary to slip a fingernail between the end pieces before being able to slide them apart. A safety chain keeps the bracelet from easily slipping off if the clasp opens.

Spring Ring Clasps

This type of jewelry clasp is similar to lobster claw clasps except that they are always round and instead of a lever causing a piece to lift up and out of the way, the lever pulls a small piece of the end ring into the big tube of ring and opens the end just enough so the other end of the bracelet or necklace can be slipped in.

We've used a very large spring ring clasp on one of our bracelets. It's made from a square 14k gold-filled tube and has a strong spring to keep the clasp securely closed.

Button and Loop Clasps

These are the most unique type of jewelry clasps and, depending on the button used, can be the centerpiece of the necklace or bracelet in addition to holding the ends of the bracelet or necklace together. This type of clasp consists of a large button (or bead) on one end, and a loop on the other end that hooks over the button. For beauty and extra strength, the loop is often covered with small beads. Once the loop is put over the button the clasp is secure. Easy on and easy off. And distinctive, too.