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All About Jewelry Clasps

Posted by Laurie Zeiden on

A Visual Dictionary of Jewelry Clasps

CLASP: A small device, typically metal, to hold jewelry pieces securely closed when being worn.


Vintage Clasp Samples Card

BOX CLASPS

Box Clasps aka Tab Insert Clasps aka Tongue and Groove Clasps

   

   

Decorative box clasps can add so much to a necklace, especially if your hair is short or in an up-do.

   

   

   

   

   
Hattie Carnegie necklace, the clasp is a focal point

   
Hattie Carnegie

   
Miriam Haskell, the clasp is a focal point at the front of the necklace

   
Miriam Haskell bracelet, the clasp is a huge focal point

   

HOOK CLASPS

Hook clasps are often stamped with country of origin or designer's name

   

   

   

   
Wide Hook Clasp on Silver Bracelet from Mexico

FOLD-OVER CLASPS

 Fold-Over Clasps snap shut for added security

   

   

SPRING RING CLASPS

Spring Ring Clasps work with a tension mechanism is pulled back to open and released to close


This Napier spring ring clasp has a bar running across the inside with the Napier hallmark stamped on it


Spring ring clasp marked gold filled

   
The patented Miriam Haskell clasp is a type of spring ring clasp


LOBSTER CLAW CLASPS

Lobster Claw Clasps are variations of Spring Ring Clasps



   
Smaller lobster claws, with round levers date to the 1970s and the larger ones with the flat levers are newer

TOGGLE CLASPS

Toggle Clasps are simple designs; the bar fits into the ring and piece closes




SISTER CLASPS

Sister Clasps work by threading both parts over a jump ring

   

PIN CLASPS

Pin Clasps aka Pin & Groove Clasps aka Slide Clasps
Pin Clasps work with a bar that slides into grooves on both sides of the jewelry

      

      

      

BARREL CLASP

Barrel clasps are sometimes called Torpedo Clasps, they are barrel shaped when screwed close

   

   

FIBULA CLASPS

Found in ancient jewelry; rarely seen today



C-CLASPS

    

   


This c-clasp from the early 20th century, has a safety lever

 SAFETY CLASPS

   

   

   

TROMBONE CLASPS

Trombone clasps work by pulling the pin from the barrel and inserting the pin stem before closing shut

   

      

      

FISH HOOK CLASPS

Fish Hook Clasps or Box and Hook Clasps can be confusing. The hook fits into and around a small bar and then twists and locks into place when pushing inward

      

      
This fish hook is for a triple strand necklace
 

PADLOCK CLASPS

Padlocks work either with a tension bar or a key

   
Two Walter Lampl padlocks; they open with a tension mechanism in the handle

   
Two padlocks which need a key to open

PIN AND BARREL CLASPS

Pin and Barrel Clasps, when the pin is pushed into the barrel, it locks in place

   

COILED CLASPS

Coiled clasps work like key-rings, you thread one end through the coil until the piece is fully closed

   

SNAP CLASPS

Snap Clasp aren't very common in jewelry, but they can be found. They simply clasp closed

   

MAGNETIC CLASPS

      
   

THANK YOU: Sandy Campbell, Colleen Abbott , Yolanda Dewijk, Melissa Hatfield and Cindy Deeter for providing photos for this blog article

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5 comments

  • It would have been nice to note some dates on them. Otherwise, I like the pictures and identifying names.

    Doreen Hidalgo on
  • Thank you for posting such a lovely visual of so many types of clasps. Your effort is truly appreciated.

    Deborah Boulger on
  • No mention of the unique clasp on the vintage Eisenberg Bracelet clasps!!
    How to lock them is the question??

    Sonja Pascatore on
  • Nicely done. A great survey of clasp styles.

    Yolanda Dewijk on
  • Beautifully done, well presented!

    Sue on

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