We travellers on the endless wastes in single orbits, gliding cold-eyed march towards the dawn behind hard-weather hoods a-hiding. Meeting as the tall ships do, passing in the channel afraid to chance a gentle touch — afraid to make the clasp. In high-rise city canyons dwells the discontent of ages. On ring roads, nose to bumper crawl commuters in their cages. Cryptic signals flash across from pilots in the fast lane. Double-locked and belted in — too late to make the clasp. Let’s break the journey now on some lonely road. Sit down as strangers will, let the stress unload. Talk in confidential terms, share a dark unspoken fear. Refill the cup and drink it up. Say goodnight and wish good luck. Synthetic chiefs with frozen smiles holding unsteady courses. Grip the reins of history, high on their battle horses. And meeting as good statesmen do before the TV eyes of millions, hand to hand exchange the lie — pretend to make the clasp. Jethro Tull- The Clasp, from the album Broadsword and the Beast.

Significance of Silver Clasp

Any precious silver jewelry article is incomplete without a beautifully crafted silver clasp. Earlier, jewelry makers would only concentrate on the design and appearance of the ornament neglecting how its clasp looks. But, later it was realized that a clasp plays a very important role in bringing out the whole look of the accessory. Therefore, modern jewelry designers started emphasizing on the clasps as much as they would on the piece of jewelry. Nowadays, some of the designers even make the clasps much more attractive then the jewelry itself as they believe that clasps catch more attention than the ornament itself.

A good silver clasp should be sturdy, durable and easily manageable. Besides this, it should also compliment the piece of jewelry it has been attached to. There are several different kinds of silver clasps available in the market, thus, one must choose a clasp that goes well with the design, weight and entire appearance of the ornament.

One of the most important factors while choosing a silver clasp is that it should always be made of sterling silver clasp. Although it is solely a matter of choice of the designer or the jewelry maker, it has been observed that sterling silver clasps are much more reliable and lasting than the regular silver clasps.

Italian trigger silver clasps are one of the most popular types of silver claps. These clasps are made through machine with utter precision. Usually stone jewelry and findings use this kind of Italian Sterling Silver Trigger Clasp. Available in different shapes, styles and sizes, these clasps give a very fancy and trendy look to the necklace or bracelet to which they are attached to.

While Europeans are fond of Italian style sterling silver toggle clasp, the Asians, on the other hand, prefer slip type clasps made of sterling silver metal. These types of clasps are totally different from the triggered style as they can also support 3 dimensional designs. These silver clasps are mostly used in the heavy jewelry such as the one made from pearls, stones or other sorts of heavy embellishments.

It is remarkable to note that how a simple clasp can hold so much of relevance in making an ornament look brilliant. A silver clasp, which is well-designed and solid can not only connect the two ends of the ornament firmly but can also make a good impression on the viewer even if the clasp is visible around the neck or wrist.

Types of jewelry clasps

Jewelry clasps are not new for jewelry designers. Jewelry clasps which are one kind of jewelry findings are designed to connect each end of a necklace and bracelet together while fastening the links in place. Jewelry clasps offer both functional and aesthetic benefits. Jewelry clasps are given different types, so today we will talk about the most common types of clasps.

Toggle clasps have a circle on one side of the jewelry piece and a thick bar which resembles a “T” at the other end. This clasp secures the jewelry when the thick bar is slide into the circle.

Magnet clasps make it easier for people who have trouble with some of the other types of jewelry clasps, like those with arthritis, long fingernails, or other issues causing difficulty with their fine motor skills or limited eyesight, to put their jewelry on and take it off.

Magnetic clasps work using magnetic charges. One side of the clasp has a positive charge which attracts and holds the negative charge on the other side of the clasp.

Lobster claw clasps are secure clasps which are a popular for necklaces, bracelets and anklets. This type of clasp has a tiny spring in its mechanism. This keeps the arm closed until you push on the lever. These are somewhat easier to open and close by yourself than a spring ring clasp.

Spring ring clasps open when you push a little lever which slides along a circular ring backwards. Once the clasp is open, you simply insert the loop attached to the other side of jewelry into the open circle. The larger the loop, the easier it is to work with this clasp. After the loop is inside the circle, release the lever to return it to the closed position. A tiny spring mechanism inside the clasp keeps the spring ring shut until you need to open it again.

Article from: http://www.zacoo.com/news/types-of-jewelry-clasps/ In my jewelry news, I had also posted articles about clasps and jewelry findings like using clasps in your jewelry design, what exactly are jewelry findings? Guides to jewelry findings for beading jewelry, Without jewelry findings, one could not complete her beading project, Usage of the jewelry findings… check it out in my jewelry news.