The design of your chain link clasp can make a massive difference in the style and look of a necklace. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your chain clasps.
Snap clasps are great for those who have trouble with lobster clasps or spring rings. They open and shut like a snap and work well on necklaces and bracelets.
Crimps with Loops
Crimps are metal titans of the jewelry-making world, holding stringing materials and beads together. They can be counted on to keep a design together and add flash and texture.
Center crimp cord ends are an easy way to cleanly finish the end of various jewelry cords, including leather, silk ribbon, and chain. Add a dab of super glue inside the crimp for extra security.
To close a crimp bead, use the flat section of your crimping pliers to press down on the crimp bead, flattening it and securing it. Be sure to leave a wire tail for connecting to your clasp component.
Bead Tips
Bead tips are ideal for finishing stringing wire and cords. They’re designed to conceal knots and provide a secure connection to jump rings or clasps. They look like regular beads and are available in gold-filled or silver-filled styles.
Many women have experienced a necklace chain clasp from hell; a better one can make all the difference in how easy your jewelry is to wear. You’re all set if you hear an audible snap when it closes.
A spring ring clasp is excellent for a dainty necklace, while a barrel clasp can handle a chunkier bracelet. Both feature a small lever that opens and closes the clasp.
Wire-Knit Multistrand Designs
Clasps do much more than keep your strung jewelry closed; they help shape the design’s overall look. Learn how different clasp styles work to give your pieces a finishing touch.
Possibly the clasp from hell, a barrel clasp looks like a tiny little barrel and is easy to open with a twist but hard to close. It’s best used on lightweight designs that don’t require a lot of finger dexterity.
Lobster clasps are more secure and come in several varieties with taller pull tabs. Suitable for heavier and thicker chains, they work well on necklaces and bracelets. They can also be paired with jump rings to create a custom closure for multi-strand designs.
Bullet Ends
Who hasn’t had to wrestle with a clasp from hell that made you late for a taco dinner? A better grip can make a world of difference.
Bullet ends are a great alternative to knotting and can be used for multi-strand designs, woven and braided styles like kumihimo or Viking knit, and even cord tassels. Just tie an overhand knot, fill the knot with a dab of glue, and insert the cord end. Clean up any oozing glue as soon as possible. Bullets are also an excellent alternative to ball ends on guitar strings. They fit into the sustain block of a Stratocaster tremolo better, which helps prevent a shift in string position that can cause tuning issues.
Cone Ends
If your design uses spring rings, lobster clasps, or fold-over clasps that hook onto a chain to make an adjustable necklace or bracelet, add links or rings of the same size as your chain so the pin can hook into them. Alternatively, you can use necklace extenders to create an adjustable design.
Cone ends, or end caps or bead cones, are cylindrical findings that enclose the end of a round cord or chain. These findings benefit Kumihimo projects where multiple threads are brought together before attaching a clasp. They require only a tiny dab of glue and are easy to use.
Cord Ends with Loop
Using cord ends with loops helps you add hook and eye clasps to kumihimo, Viking knit, flat leather cording, and other stringing materials. Choose the size that best matches your material and crimp the center section with narrow chain-nose or round-nose pliers.
These findings are significant for converting any long necklace into a stylish bolo design. Thread one end of the chain through opposite ends of this hinged clasp and twist it to fasten it.
If you have a crappy clasp from hell that drives you to drink, swap it out for an easier-to-use type. This simple fix may be all it takes to reclaim your beloved chain jewelry!
