New jewelry designers will come up to speed faster when they earn the terminology of different jewelry-making components. Find the right components quicker, project professionalism to potential customers, and enhance your jewelry making credibility by using correct terminology.

Definition of Jewelry Findings

In the jewelry industry, “findings” are components of jewelry less than a finished piece.

Definition of Clasp

A jewelry clasp is a jewelry finding of two or more pieces designed to connect the free ends of a necklace, bracelet or anklet. Clasps differ from S-hooks, hook-and-eye closures and toggles in that there is a lock established between the two ends of the jewelry piece that is more positive than pinching an S-hook and hook-and-eye closed or putting a safety chain on a toggle closure.

What is a Pearl Clasp?

A pearl clasp originated as a finding for strands of pearls, although now they may connect a single strand or multiple strands of pearls, beads, or jewelry chain.

A pearl clasp has at least two parts – a body or “box”, plus an insert that locks into the body, sometimes called a “bracelet tongue”. The body may be simple – a polished rectangle with at least one jump ring on the end opposite the bracelet tongue – or it may be very fancy with filigree patterns or corrugation. The clasp’s insert may be a hook that needs to fit around a pin before locking into the body or it may be a folded insert pushed directly into the clasp. The number of jump rings on the bracelet tongue should match the number of jump rings on the body.

Some pearl clasps also have additional safety provided by a figure eight and a pin. The figure eight, which looks more like a pop bottle, attached to one side of the clasp will click over a pin fastened to the second side of the clasp.

Pearl Clasp Materials

Pearl clasps of the noble metals – gold, silver and platinum – have traditionally been used. In recent years, pearl clasps have become available to the DIY Jewelry market in brass plated with silver, gold, antique copper, antique brass, gunmetal, imitation rhodium and nickel.

Conclusion

Pearl clasps come in a wide variety of shapes, designs and prices. One who learns what pearl clasps are and how they are used will project a professional knowledge and attitude when making jewelry.

If you are planning on making jewelry, it is very important that you have the correct jewelry making supplies on hand before you begin, or else you could find that your projects get held up, whilst you wait for new supplies to arrive. Here is a list of some of the essential jewelry making supplies that you need before you begin any major jewelry project:

Jewelry Making Wire
This wire is one of the most versatile jewelry making supplies. This wire can be used to thread things onto, to create certain types of jewelry findings, and to create special pendants or decorations which are part of your jewelry. There are lots of different types of the making wire, so it is always useful to keep a few different types in stock, so that you have something which would be suitable for your needs. As well as different metals and colors, jewelry making wire is also available in a wide range of different thicknesses.

Jewelry Findings
Whilst they may be some of the least impressive looking jewelry making supplies, jewelry findings should be considered as some of the most important. Jewelry findings are the items which help to ensure that your jewelry is held together properly, and helps to keep it sitting like it should when it is being worn. The term jewelry findings even include the wide array of catches, clasps and fastenings which help you to take jewelry on and off without breaking it.

Pendants and Charms
Pendants and charms are the centerpiece of most jewelry items. They help the jewelry to look more appealing and help to draw the eye to the jewelry. There is an almost endless range of charms and pendants available to buy, so you will usually be able to find exactly what you want. However, if you cannot find the design of charm or pendant which you are looking for, then you may be able to make your own with your other jewelry making supplies.

Beads
There are thousands and thousands of different types of beads that are available to buy. They are available in a huge range of different colors, shapes and sizes. Beads can be made from a lot of different types of material, including glass, wood, stone, plastic and rubber. You can use just one type of bead in a project, or you can vary the beads which you use, in order to make your piece more interesting. You can even make your own!

Tools
One of the most important categories of jewelry making supplies is your tools. You should always try to ensure that you have the correct tools at hand, because these tools will allow you to work quickly and easily. Not only could using the wrong supplies result in your finished product looking substandard, it could also pose a health risk to you as well. If you are using the wrong tools, you could easily slip and hurt yourself, or an unwanted by-product could cause you injury.