Jewellery Jargon: Clasp Styles

Clasp Styles used in Beaded Jewellery

In beadwork and jewellery making there are some words that may be confusing in descriptions or statements.  This post will help you understand what the clasp styles are and how I use them in my designs.  You may also find the post on jewellery findings interesting.

Parrot or Lobster Clasp

The most common clasp style is probably the parrot or lobster clasp.  They look like a parrot beak or lobster claw holding onto a ring from the opposite side of the piece.  This style is very functional, generally sit discreetly in the design. It can be used with an extension chain to enable the piece to be lengthened if required.  They may be difficult for people with restricted motor skills (arthritis, tremors etc) to use by themselves. 

Spring Ring Clasp

These work similar to the parrot clasp but are a circular shape.  The latch springs back inside the circle to keep the piece secure.  This clasp is quite inconspicuous when used with chain designs as its appearance can resemble the links.

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Toggle Clasp

A toggle clasp is often a little easier to use.  They consist of an open ring through which a bar passes and sits across the opening.  The ring can be a simple small smooth circle or come in many shapes, sizes and some are very ornate.  The larger ornate ones are great as a feature on a the front of a necklace or bracelet. The smaller ones would be more comfortable at the back of the neck.

Screw Clasp

Both sides of this clasp have a threaded section and to fasten they are screwed together.  They are mainly spherical, tube or barrel in shape and can be quite simple, patterned or embellished in crystals.  This style and the Magnetic Clasp below can look very similar when in the closed position.

Magnetic Clasp

Positive and negative magnets make up each side of these clasps and when brought together the magnetic properties create the clasp.  The strength of the magnet will determine what item they are appropriate for. Only the very strong ones suitable for bracelets or many necklace styles.

This style of clasp can be found in many shapes including hearts, flowers, spherical, tube and barrel.  Some have a fold over style where there is a hinge between both sections of the magnet which folds over the other section of the clasp.  Some of this style can be very ornate.

Magnetic clasps are not recommended for people with pacemakers or other similar devices.

Tab Style Clasp

The receiving section of this clasp can come in many styles and shapes including flowers, gem or crystal encrusted.  This side of the clasp has a internal hollow section to accept the opposite side of the clasp.  This clasp is sometimes called a box or ball clasp  The other side of the clasp is made of a folded “spring”.  To open or close the clasp the Tab spring is pressed together and inserted into the hollow section.  Once in place the spring is released and the clasp is caught. 

Some of this style include a bar across the opening of the hole.  This acts as a safety catch to lessen the chance of you loosing the piece if it should get caught or pulled. In the top right picture above, both clasps are open, but caught on a safety bar.

Fish Hook Clasp

This style of clasp is generally an oval or marquee shape and may be filigree, textured or encrusted with marcasite,  stones or crystals.  The mechanism of this clasp is similar to the ball / box clasp in that one section of the clasp is inserted into the other under tension.

The fish hook section is looped over the bar at the entry to the opening and then pushed into place.  The little cutout at the end of the hook locks the clasp into place.  To remove the clasp the ends are pressed together to release the hook which is then slide out and unlooped from the entrance bar.

In the above picture you can see how this entrance bar acts like a safety catch and how this clasp gets its name.

Hook & Eye Clasp Styles

At its very basic design this style is a simple hook on one side of the clasp which catches into a ring connector (the eye) on the other and gravity keeps the piece in place.  In some styles the hook is shaped like the letter S and has rings on either end which are worked into the beaded design.  Each end of the S connects to one of the rings.  Generally one of the tails of the S sits a little firmer on the ring while the other one moves on and off with ease.

This style can be very ornate and look like the tails of animals or dragonflies or vines and flowers entwined with each other.  The can even look like ropes or ribbons.  The eye may be in the form of a fish which is caught on the hook or even the head of an animal with its tail used as the hook.  There are some self closing forms of this style which may have animal heads biting onto each side of a central ring.  Some of these styles may include a hinged safety latch which folds over the top of the S and connects one side to the other.

Slide Lock Clasp

With this style of clasp, both sides look nearly identical to each other as cylindrical tubes each with an open end and a caped end.  On closer inspection one tube has a slightly larger diameter and it has a slit cut from one end to the other.  The other tube has a tension spring which when slid inside the larger tube catches to form the clasp.

This style may come with individual rings attached to the outside for single strands or be longer and include many rings for multi strands.  They are also found with one long section like a buckle instead of rings for attaching ribbon or leather.

Button Clasp

There are two individual styles under this name.

One is the common button, similar to those on our clothing.  A buttonhole in the design, a ring of beads or fibres can pass over the button to form the clasp.

The other style that falls under this name has two sections. Each with their own ring for attaching to the design.  The knob like feature presses into the hole similar to a press-stud.

Other Clasp Styles

There are other clasp styles, but they generally have a similar way of operating as the styles listed above

Adjustable slide, tie and macrame style knots are great options for anyone with an allergy to metals. Stretch style bracelets and longer style necklaces that can be popped over your head don’t need clasp. They can be worn by anyone, especially those with limited dexterity. These styles can also suit metal free options.

Contact me If you would like a particular clasp style added to a custom order. Reach out if a piece currently listed may be altered to make it more wearable for your particular need.

I hope you found this page helpful.

Do you have any suggestions or requests for information on other terminology that you are unsure of. Get in touch with me and let me know.