Types of Clasps: A quick guide

When you fall in love with a piece of jewelry and purchase it, do you pay enough attention to the clasps too? Clasps are an integral part of jewelry. Their main purpose is to hold your necklaces or bracelets securely in place. Though their main value is functional, they can be decorative as well. Here we are going to discuss the 8 most common types of clasps with their pros and cons.

This short reading might save you from the frustration of not being able to use a new beautiful piece of jewelry because of a clasp your fingers or eyesight refuse to operate!

LOBSTER: The clasp looks like a lobster claw and so is named that way! A lever in the back needs to be pushed down to open the claw. The little spring mechanism shuts it down when the lever is released. It attaches to a ring or chain on the other side. Pros: This clasp is very reliable and widely used in the world of jewelry. Good fit for size-adjusting necklaces or bracelets. Cons: Mostly functional, though occasionally you might find a lobster clasp in an interesting shape.

BARREL: This clasp looks like a barrel and consists of 2 parts, attached by a threading mechanism. You have to unscrew it to open it. Pros: Fairly reliable. Cons: Not suitable for a bracelet because hard to close or open with one hand. This clasp needs some dexterity of fingers too.

HOOK/S-HOOK: This oldest form of clasp is simple and very effective. An S-shaped or a simple hook-shaped metal piece attaches to a ring on the other end. Pros: Very reliable and versatile. Easy to use. Cons: Mostly functional, not decorative type.

FISHHOOK: Very elegant-looking clasp, incorporated with gemstones, filigree, or other decorative elements. The mechanism is a bit complicated. One side with a little fishhook-shaped metal piece goes around a bar hidden in a casing on the other end and latches into the decorative casing. This is not a very common type of clasp.

Pros: Very decorative and easily can be integrated with a sophisticated piece of jewelry. Perfect for a lightweight necklace.

Cons: A bit complicated mechanism for managing a bracelet. Needs dexterity of fingers.

TOGGLE: This clasp has two sections with a bar on one side and a ring on the other. The bar goes through the ring and sits on the ring horizontally by twisting the position. It works best with a bit of heavy jewelry. A toggle clasp can be simple or very decorative. Pros: Decorative toggle clasp can be a focal point for a necklace or bracelet. Great for heavy pieces. Cons: Can come loose for a piece of light jewelry. Needs a bit of dexterity of fingers for a bracelet.

SPRING RING: This is a very basic and commonly used clasp, great for light chains. A ring clasp works with a spring mechanism. A tiny lever on the back helps to open it by pressing it down. It closes automatically when the lever is released. The spring ring normally comes with a tiny piece of metal with a hole in it that goes to the other end of the necklace or chain.

Pros: Very reliable and functional, works perfectly with a dainty chain or necklace.

Cons: Normally comes in small size, required quite a bit of dexterity of fingers.

BOX: This clasp can be very decorative and suitable as a part of a sophisticated necklace. Like a fishhook clasp, it consists of two parts. One part is a decorative box in different shapes and designs and the other is a tab that goes in and snaps shut in the box.

Pros: Great for a sophisticated beaded necklace. Quite reliable.

Cons: Not suitable for a dainty piece of jewelry. Needs some dexterity of fingers.

MAGNETIC: This type is the easiest to wear. Both ends of the clasp hold a piece of strong magnet that shuts automatically in close range.

Pros: Easiest to wear. Great for bracelets, no fumbling with the clasps. It can be very decorative and part of a very intricate design.

Cons: This clasp works with a strong magnet and is normally very secure. But they can come apart by a strong tug. Not suitable with very heavy necklaces or bracelets.