For people who purchase pearls… specifically with gold clasps

So I’m just curious, how much of a difference does the clasp make to consumers?

First and foremost I need the clasp be comfortable to wear and easy to operate. If it irritates the skin my neck, or if it's such a nuisance to operate that I find myself not wearing the necklace, I restring the necklace with a better clasp.

I also prefer that a clasp "go with" the overall appearance of the necklace.

I would not pay a lot for a clasp, personally. And I realize that it's harder to avoid doing that, now that gold is so dear.

Pearl Dreams said:

First and foremost I need the clasp be comfortable to wear and easy to operate. If it irritates the skin my neck, or if it's such a nuisance to operate that I find myself not wearing the necklace, I restring the necklace with a better clasp.

I also prefer that a clasp "go with" the overall appearance of the necklace.

I would not pay a lot for a clasp, personally. And I realize that it's harder to avoid doing that, now that gold is so dear.

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I see…. This clasp is extra beautiful with a double strand set of Akoya pearls.

Thank you

Would you wear it in front, where it would be seen? (I don't wear clasps in front.)

My most comfortable strand is my GSS which has a hidden clasp.

Pearl Dreams said:

Would you wear it in front, where it would be seen? (I don't wear clasps in front.)

My most comfortable strand is my GSS which has a hidden clasp.

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I would assume in the back since the strands are graduated but people get creative… lol

I second what PD said. My clasps have to be easy to work and comfortable to wear, and look nice. I also don't want any metal that will tarnish. So I go with gold or rhodium plated silver or vermeil. But I love a fancy clasp. It just elevates a necklace.

That said, I'm fond of the orbit clasp if it's at the back of my neck. But the orbit clasp also looks good if I'm linking necklaces together and the clasp is in front. Of if I'm hanging a pendant off it in the front.

Diamonds cost a lot, so I tend to go with CZs. I'd rather spend my money on the pearls.

I'm not a huge fan of clasps that flip over. This happens when there is a lot of stuff on top of the clasp, pearls or gemstones or flower designs, but the back of the clasp is flat, and the mechanism is in the base of the clasp. It makes the clasp always flip over, because the mechanism is right at the drill holes to the pearls.

If it's a double strand, I want a clasp that stays put, no flipping, which would mess up the lay of the necklace. I like gold but the clasp is at the back anyway.

And there is the cost trade-off. A real gold clasp elevates a necklace, as do gems or fanciness. But it also makes the price go way up. I've seen a tiny diamond that wouldn't be noticed in a gold clasp double the price of a decent pearl necklace.

That takes me out as a buyer, because as BWeaves said, I'd rather spend the money on the pearls. However, I will spend some more on a clasp I can wear in front, hang a pendant from, or easily join to another necklace because it multiplies how many ways I can style the necklace.

Personally I look for clasp that are easy to use. I only care that they are not flimsy. When Iam wearing pearls it’s all about the pearls ! As Merrily noted it can often make the price go up considerably.

Now when it’s filigree or other such metal work , that can be a bit different and is often a mystery depending on the age of the item as to silver and gold wash content.