[jerin]

Hello, members and guests of this forum!

I am aware that the clasp of a necklace shouldn´t be to large but I insist on not being the only one who has difficulties some times because the clasps are so tiny and especially hard to close or open, when the pearls at the "end" are 8 mm or larger. Than the pearl comes between my fingers and the clasp and it is really hard to get it through the different small holes to secure it before closing it. I do not want to squeeze the "end-pearls" but very often this is what happens anyway.

To clearify myself: I am talking about clasps like the filligran fishhook-clasps and oval interlocking clasps, they are especially hard to manage but for security-reasons they are great. However: why is it not possible to get a larger clasp that could act as decoration for the pearls without being extremely expensive?

Ball clasps are no better than the above metioned and the only other clasp that I think would be simple enough to close or open and is quite safe to wear does not look elegantly enough to suit a pearlnecklace. I mean the lobster-clasp.

I have seen a hinged clasp, which is trademarked Applaudere by A & Z Pearls. So far I was unable to find their WEB-site though.

A lot of fine clasps/pin adaptors, shorteners and pearlenhancers where shown and mentioned in the Pearl Buying Guide by Renée Newman but where can I get them?

I do not have large hands with thick fingers and usually am not clumsy with them, still it is not easy to fasten/open my necklaces.

I have posted these questions earlier but so far no answers from anyone.

I am aware that many of the members of this forum ar men who are not daily wearers of pearlnecklaces - could it be because of that, that I am getting nowhere with my questions?


Secondly: where can I get Pearl shorteners for pearls larger than 8 mm? And where are there more than one type to choose from? PP had only one type, granted it was in 14 K gold, but still I would like to have some more to choose from. Any web-sites available for findings?


Have a nice day all of You,


Inge Jernberg

[jshepherd]

Inge,

I with you that pearl clasps can be notoriously difficult to fasten/unfasten. In fact, on our ball clasps the extra jump-ring is a custom feature that we actually pay for in addition to the cost of the clasp to alleviate some of this difficulty. What I feel makes pearl fasteners more difficult is the fact that you are dealing with a round pearl near the clasp, not a chain.
It is possible something like a large lobster-claw clasp may be a bit easier for you. You could finish a strand with a medium to large lobster claw on one side, and a 7-8mm jump-ring on the other side. This would be safe, and attaching it would be similar to just snapping it into place.
A toggle clasp may be another way to go. With a toggle there would be no mechanism that you would have to deal with.
Unfortunately the companies that sell these types of things are usually wholesale-only. But a local jeweler should be able to find something like that mentioned.

Regarding the pearl shortener, I have not seen a lot of these. In fact the style we carry was difficult to find. When we finally found a company that produced them (in only one style) we bought several hundred. This is not something we have a lot of demand for, but when we do it can be difficult to find at a good price.

[dutchpearl]

Hi Inge,
Is this the one you mean. (see picture)
If it is I can tell you where I ordered it
Marjan

[jerin]

Hi, Marjan,

these are exactly the clasps I mean. I have some pictures of them in my book "The Pearl Buying Guide" by Renée Newman.

Appreciate it if You can give me an address so I can order them.


The Best

Inge Jernberg

[PearlsAndJade.com]

Originally Posted by jerin

Hi, Marjan,

these are exactly the clasps I mean. I have some pictures of them in my book "The Pearl Buying Guide" by Renée Newman.
Appreciate it if You can give me an address so I can order them.
The Best
Inge Jernberg

I've been looking for these also, and haven't been able to located them, so I would love to know who stocks them.

Thanks,

Bill

[dutchpearl]

Hello Bill and Inge,

The company that stocks them is located in China, (there might be one somewhere else too, but of this one I'm sure) .
The adress:
Yixin Jewellery accesories
4 th floor no. 103 Hong Qiao Market
Chongwen district
Beijing
Tel /fax (010 ) 67117562 (office)
tel market (010) 6713945
Post code 100061

Or in Shanghai:

Nr. 25 @nd floor Nanjing East Road 558
tel/fax: (021) 63223455

They have many findings for fair prices and will be glad to ship it.
Of this "hinged spherical" clasp they also have another model, but that's not so nice, and they have it in silver but that doesn't work, the silver is too soft.

Good luck,
Marjan

[PearlsAndJade.com]

Thanks for the info Marjan,

Bill

[Richard W. Wise]

Unfortunately most commercially made clasps are really poor quality. If you have a high quality strand, finding a clasp that matches it in quality can be a task.

We solved the problem by making our own. There are also some very high quality European made clasps out there.

Good luck.

[jerin]

Richard, Dutchpearl, Bill and all other members!

Can you (Richard) please give us an address? Where will we be able to get some "Classy" clasps that are not too expensive and will work well?

Dutchpearl, what material is the Applaudere clasp? 14 K Gold or what?



Inge Jernberg

[dutchpearl]

Hi inge,
The clasp of the pictures is 14 K gold.
They have them in 925 silver, but they don't work (silver too soft)
Regards, Marjan

[purepearls]

Dear Inge,
Yes, I agree. Clasps can sometimes be very difficult to fasten, especially when they are smaller. There are screw clasps that look very nice but they are hard to find. Screw clasps are often found in estate jewelry. I found a company who carries many different types of pearl shortners, enhancers, clasps, etc. The company is in New York can be found at www.newyorkfindings.com.

Here are some links:
http://www.newyorkfindings.com/Yello...otos/Page9.jpg

http://www.newyorkfindings.com/Yello...tos/Page15.jpg

[purepearls]

I also want to add that toggle clasps are very nice and very easy to manage! They are growing in popularity in designer pieces. The design of a toggle clasp also makes it a very secure clasp.

[The Pearl Outlet]

I've known these clasps as "Basket Clasps". New York findings does indeed have a large selection of them. Stuller is also now carrying at least one that I know of.

I noticed that in the New York Findings catalog they picture pearl necklaces made with two basket clasps. I've found, however, that a single basket clasp is more versatile. Check out the picture of this necklace we've designed with a single ball clasp. It can be worn at any length, up to its full length.

Variable Length Strand

[purepearls]

There are a number of different clasp types available and I can definitely understand the difficulty in finding functional yet beautiful clasps. It is important to note that some clasps may be easy to use but they may not be as secure. Make sure when purchasing clasps that they are going to have the necessary features to keep the clasp from opening.

[jerin]

Hi, Amanda,

even though some time has gone by I wanted You to let You know that I tried the given link of the New York Findings company. unfortunately they do not sell to privat persons (at least not in Europe).

I wonder if it would be possible to get this clasp through some one of the online sellers? The Toggle clasp is really easy but I do not find it elegant or beautiful at all.

Regards

Inge Jernberg