Pearl Necklace Clasps

Pearl Necklace Clasps

Written by: Norma Jones

Pearls Only

The clasp on a strand of pearls is both the frosting and sugar sprinkles on a cake. In addition to keeping the necklace fastened, the clasp should also complement you and your pearls.

As your necklace and bracelet are regularly restrung, you can also update the clasps to meet your changing needs.

Clasps

You can easily see the appearance of the clasp when you shop. However, there are four additional and quite important questionsyou may want to ask. They are:

1. How does the clasp open and close?

2. What are the added safety features and secondary catches?

3. How does the necklace clasp wear around your neck?

4. How does the bracelet clasp wear around your wrist?

Pearl Necklace Clasps

Following are a few of the most popular clasps finishing pearlnecklace strands today.

We'll answer the above questions for each clasp type below.

Spring Ring

The spring ring clasp is one of the most readily available. Whenclosed, the clasp looks like an open circular ring. They rangein many sizes from very small to very large and ornate.

1. How does the clasp open and close?

To open a spring ring clasp, you'll push down on the tab on theoutside of the ring. Once released, the spring will automatically close the clasp.

2. What are the added safety features and secondary catches?Pearl Necklace Clasps

This clasp does have a good mechanism for the spring to shut whenthe tab is released.

3. How does the necklace clasp wear around your neck?

When worn on the back of the neck, spring ring clasps will lieflat on the neck. These clasps tend to be quite small. Largerand more ornate spring ring clasps can be worn in the front orslightly off center.

4. How does the bracelet clasp wear around your wrist?

Like the necklace, the clasp will lie flat against your wrist. Look for comfort when selecting your clasp size.Pearl Necklace Clasps

Lobster Claw

The lobster claw clasp is a variation of the spring ring. Theclasp will have an oblong flat round shape. One half of thecircle is most often closed. The second half is open with onefixed hook protruding from the closed half. The latch will closethe loop.

1. How does the clasp open and close?

Like the spring ring clasp, you'll push down on the tab to open. Once released, the spring will automatically close the clasp.

2. What are the added safety features and secondary catches?

This clasp does have a good mechanism to allow for the clasp tospring shut when the tab is released.

3. How does the necklace clasp wear around your neck?

Pearl Necklace Clasps

Similar to the spring ring, this clasp will lie flat on the neck. I haven't seen many large and ornate lobster claw clasps somost will be worn towards the back of the neck.

4. How does the bracelet clasp wear around your wrist?

Like the spring ring, the lobster claw will also lie flat againstyour wrist.Pearl Necklace Clasps

Fishhook

The fishhook is the traditional pearl necklace and braceletclasp. This clasp comes in two parts. The main part of theclasp is shaped like an elongated football with two pointededges. The flat long metal hook is the second part. Theseclasps are generally small but can be decorated with engraving,open filigree metal work and even set with small pearls andgemstones.

1. How does the clasp open and close?

To close the clasp, you'll hook the "fishhook" into one of thepointed edges of the main part. Then, you'll push in the entirehook, long end first, into the main part of the clasp. The hookwill lock into place. To remove, squeeze in the two sides of thehook and pull out of the main part of the clasp. Then, unhookand open.Pearl Necklace Clasps

2. What are the added safety features and secondary catches?

This is a secure clasp with a great secondary catch. In case themain locking mechanism is shaken loose, the hook will catch tokeep your pearls in place

3. How does the necklace clasp wear around your neck?

The clasp does have a little depth so it will lie flat on theneck but sit up just a bit.

4. How does the bracelet clasp wear around your wrist?

The fishhook will also lie flat on the wrist. However, thisclasp is harder to open and close with one hand. I do preferthis clasp for a necklace.

Pearl Necklace Clasps

Plunger

A plunger clasp is the next generation of a fishhook clasp. Themain part of the clasp can be made in a variety of shapes andsizes. They are often decorated with design work, engraving,open filigree and set with gemstones. The second half is a metaltongue that springs open into a "V" shape. One side of theopen "V" has an incorporated tab. Larger plunger clasps areoften worn at the front as the focal point of the pearlnecklace.

1. How does the clasp open and close?

To close the clasp, hook the metal "V" tongue into the mainpart of the clasp. Then you'll push the metal "V" closed intothe main part of the clasp. To open, press down on the tab andpull out. Then unhook the tongue from the main part of the claspto fully open.Pearl Necklace Clasps

2. What are the added safety features and secondary catches?

This is also a very secure clasp with a great safety catch. The"V" will spring open to catch a bar on the main part of theclasp.

3. How does the necklace clasp wear around your neck?

The wear of this clasp depends entirely on shape of main part. The metal tongue is hidden entirely within that main portion. Most often, the clasp will lie flat on the neck. When it is verylarge and ornate, the clasp can be worn in front as well.

4. How does the bracelet clasp wear around your wrist?

Similar to the necklace, the wear is dependant on the shape ofthe clasp. When selecting a clasp for a set, think about how thesize of the clasp will effect your movement. A smaller clasp canbe more comfortable to wear.Pearl Necklace Clasps

Ball

The ball clasp is a type of a modified plunger clasp. The majordifference is the shape of the main part of the clasp. The shapeis a round sphere or ball. The ball can be polished or sanded. Also, the outside of the ball clasp can be encrusted or scatteredgemstones.

1. How does the clasp open and close?

This clasp opens and closes just like the plunger the clasp. Themetal "V" tongue is hooked into the main part of the clasp. Then you'll push the metal "V" into the main part of theclasp. To open, press down on the tab and pull. Then, unhookthe tongue from the main part of the clasp to fully open.

2. What are the added safety features and secondary catches?

Like the plunger clasp, ball clasps often have a safety catch. The "V" will spring open and catch the bar.

3. How does the necklace clasp wear around your neck?Pearl Necklace Clasps

Ball clasps will sit up higher. Sometimes, I like ball clasps onpearls as they mimic the pearls' round shape. The clasp will bepart of the round pearls. Sometimes, a larger than pearls'clasp will stand out and can be worn in front.

4. How does the bracelet clasp wear around your wrist?

Like on a necklace, a ball clasp on a bracelet will mimic thepearls' round shape. This is a very elegant look!Pearl Necklace Clasps

Double Strand Slide

The multi strand slide is also a modified plunger clasp. Eachstrand is finished with both halves of the clasp. The clasplocks together to make a double strand necklace or bracelet. Youcan also mix the clasps together to make one really long necklaceas well.

1. How does the clasp open and close?

Just like a traditional plunger, the metal "V" tongue is hookedinto the main part of the clasp. Then, push in the metal "V."To open, press down on the tab, pull and unhook.

To make a double strand, the individual clasps will slidetogether then lock.

2. What are the added safety features and secondary catches?

Like the traditional plunger, the "V" will spring open andcatch a bar on the main part of the clasp.

3. How does the necklace clasp wear around your neck?

Pearl Necklace Clasps

These slide clasps are quite flat and square. The metal tongueis also hidden entirely within that main portion. The clasp willlie flat on the neck. Beautiful metal work as well as gemsfurther adorns the clasp.

When worn as a double strand, the clasp will be wider. When wornas a single short or long strand, the clasp will be half aswide.

4. How does the bracelet clasp wear around your wrist?

Just like the necklace, the clasp is wide and flat. I have alsoadded my bracelet to my necklace to create one single very, verylong strand.

I hope this information will help you choose the best clasp toadd just the right frosting to your necklace and bracelet!

Pearl Necklace Clasps

Norma Jones is a GIA certified Pearls expert and the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at http://www.PearlsOnly.com. PearlsOnly is an internet based eCommerce business that provides high quality pearl jewelry direct to consumers. Our goal is complete customer satisfaction with the best selection of the finest pearls anywhere. We leverage our multinational presences to offer our clients high quality pearls, with above-and-beyond customer service at incredible prices. Visit us online at http://www.PearlsOnly.com or call us at 1(888)834-4148.