Easy to use necklace clasp

[bling_dream19]

Hi PS friends! I am writing to see what your suggestions are for easy to use necklace clasps. The challenge is opening and closing traditional necklace clasps with arthritic hands. I've heard of magnets but I'm not sure how reliable. What about larger clasps? Thank you everyone!

 

[MamaBee]

@bling_dream19 I don’t have much to add other than I wouldn’t rely on a magnetic clasp for anything expensive. It can be pulled apart and lost if it catches on anything. I actually think a spring ring clasp is easier to grab and open than a lobster claw.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

How about something like the bracelet catch or open box clasp? They’re basically push clasps with a safety catch. I think they’re more common with bracelets, but you can get necklaces with these clasps (just have to order them custom).

Alternatively, how about s-hooks?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

How safe is a bayonet?
I have a pearl strand with that on and its my favourite
i also have a lot of trouble with clasps

 

[Lookinagain]

I have a few necklaces with the bracelet catch and the open box and they work well for me and both seem to be safe and I've never had issues with them opening up. Not sure if they would help. I have arthritis in my thumbs, but not my fingers or hands.

 

[MidModMin]

Whew, yours is a question I asked myself a lot a while back when adjusting a chain for my mother-in-law.

I've heard mixed things on magnetic clasps. Some jewelers cautioned against them and others said they worked well. I bought a clasp with a rare-earth magnet in it for my MIL's chain. It was pretty beefy and felt strong. The jeweler felt it was unlikely to pop open and, in fact, strong enough to break the chain over time if opened by pulling on the chain, not the magnet itself. It worked well for her.

That said, she wore it on a long-ish chain and I worried it might snag on something and pop open when she was distracted. Personally, I'd rather rather wear a magnetic clasp on a tighter chain that is less likely to get caught on things.

There are also oversized lobster claws that might be a little easier to work.

 

[bling_dream19]

Thank you so much everybody! I knew PS would come through.
I'm thinking an oversized lobster claw. I would insure it it a magnet was used. The other clasps I need to check out further to see how they work. Thank you Thank you. If there's other options, just jump in.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you so much everybody! I knew PS would come through.
I'm thinking an oversized lobster claw. I would insure it it a magnet was used. The other clasps I need to check out further to see how they work. Thank you Thank you. If there's other options, just jump in.

Best of luck with this and please keep us posted
My fingers hurt just thinking about this

years ago (its not a new problem for me ) i attached cheap magnetic clasps to a few costume pieces
They worked well but they were on short chains (which i don't like now) and on things i didn't wear much

Everything i take to the jewlers i have a bigger jump ring put on
i can't even do that myself, its too fiddly and hurts and i can't see it nor make it neat enough

 

[Tonks]

There’s a thread from a while back where someone had a beautiful necklace made by HPD and had them use a larger than normal clasp to make it easier to use. I wonder if something like that might be an option? Hang on and let me see if I can find it.

 

[Tonks]

Aha!!! Found it.

My new CBI .72 G/SI1 floating bezel pendant

It’s here, and it’s stunning!!! :kiss2: The title gives an overview of the specs but I also had some special requests, which were: 1) milgrain around the bezel 2) a rose gold chain but white gold pendant 3) for the “ears” of the pendant to be made with rose gold so they’d seemlessly blend with...

www.pricescope.com

 

[kgizo]

I’ve had jewelers solder on metal to the part circled to make it easier to grasp.

 

[DutchJackie]

I have two necklaces with bayonet clasps. It’s a little twist to open or close. But once done it feels really secure

 

[StarshineSweet]

Hi PS friends! I am writing to see what your suggestions are for easy to use necklace clasps. The challenge is opening and closing traditional necklace clasps with arthritic hands. I've heard of magnets but I'm not sure how reliable. What about larger clasps? Thank you everyone!

One of my colleagues has issues as well, and said, "I use these and while they are magnetic, they are more secure than the usual “kiss” magnets, because one tube slides into the other and then the magnet catches and it “locks”. They can be used for layering, too. I found mine on Amazon." Link down below.

https://www.amazon.com/Layered-Necklace-Magnetic-Connector-Strands/dp/B09PGY9YNX/ref=sr_1_15?crid=38MHSZW1NIJ58&keywords=necklace+clasps&qid=1651016890&sprefix=necklace+clasps,aps,80&sr=8-15&th=1

 

[whimsicism]

I love necklaces, and would consider a large lobster clasp to be the least fiddly while also offering enough security for my personal liking. My experience may be of limited help because I don't have arthritis, but I'll briefly list my concerns about other types of clasps that I've used before. For context, I always fasten and unfasten my necklaces at the back of my neck, so I do everything by touch without having the benefit of looking at the clasp. I would expect things to be less awkward if you habitually fasten your necklaces in the front where you can see the clasps.

1. Spring ring - I find this slightly more fiddly than a lobster clasp because the round shape makes it easier for my finger to slip off the trigger.
2. Bayonet - the catch/lever is rather small, so I find that it's slightly more fiddly to put on and take off.
3. Barrel - I don't really recommend this because it'd involve twisting a small screw shut, which may be a little fiddly.
4. Open box - the catch/lever typically seems rather small. The safety catches at the side can also be a little fiddly, especially if they drop back closed while I'm trying to get the main catch/lever open.
5. Toggle - I don't expect this to be too fiddly, but I'd be concerned about security because it feels like the toggle can come open if I jostle the necklace too much.
6. S-hook - this is a little fiddly for me because I need to figure out how to get the little loop oriented just right to slip onto the hook. I'd imagine that this may be somewhat mitigated if the S-hook and loop are made larger.
7. Mystery - The same concerns apply as for the barrel clasp.
8. Magnetic - This should be less fiddly, although the concern would be about security.
9. Pearl - I've only used the type of clasp that Pearl Paradise has (which is a similar type to what Pearlescence UK uses), and I'd say that it's about as fiddly as a bayonet.

A large orbit clasp may work for you as well, and should be quite secure.

I would think that a magnetic clasp is the least fiddly, but the trade-off is in how secure it would be. This can be mitigated by: (a) getting a stronger clasp (although it would also be correspondingly more difficult to pull open); or (b) depending on the length and overall design of the necklace, perhaps attaching a safety chain that is long enough to slip the entire necklace over your head before fastening the magnetic clasp to the desired length.

I hope that you find something that works great for you!

 

[FireMonkey]

I'll weigh in on the magnetic clasp. I inherited a beautiful custom-made necklace that was designed with a magnetic connecter as the clasp. The pendant is not heavy (MOP, rubies, and diamonds) and the chain is rather delicate. But the magnets actually take a decent amount of force to separate. I was quite surprised at how secure it is. I recommend you try some at a jeweler. I think you'll be surprised, as well.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[indigoblue]

My favorite is the friction clasp. It has never failed me and is easy to use. It's the first one in this list.

Decorative clasps for chains and bracelets - www.griffin.de

With GRIFFIN'S wide range of clasps, you are sure to find a unique fastening for your chain or bracelet.

griffin.de

 

[snowballs mom]

Thank you so much everybody! I knew PS would come through.
I'm thinking an oversized lobster claw. I would insure it it a magnet was used. The other clasps I need to check out further to see how they work. Thank you Thank you. If there's other options, just jump in.

I would advise testing the oversize lobster claw before purchasing. I have a piece with one and the clasp is stiff making it painful to open with the arthritis in my thumbs. I prefer the ones that either push in or screw.

 

[CE]

Here's something to consider before going with an oversized lobster claw: will the clasp be heavier than the pendant?

I once had a necklace made with a small diamond and the jeweler chose a large lobster clasp for it. The clasp was much heavier than the diamond and kept pulling the necklace backwards, so it looked like a choker. I had take it back and switch to a smaller clasp.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Here's something to consider before going with an oversized lobster claw: will the clasp be heavier than the pendant?

I once had a necklace made with a small diamond and the jeweler chose a large lobster clasp for it. The clasp was much heavier than the diamond and kept pulling the necklace backwards, so it looked like a choker. I had take it back and switch to a smaller clasp.

That's where i would add one those pendulum counterbalance things to it

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

These are magnets that are very risky

any that have an additional physical catch are better

These too have little pins the help from jerking

 

[abbit]

Don't go magnetic. I lost a bracelet after changing to a magnetic clasp

 

[88_star]

I have used this style on some beads and pearls that I have strung. To clip it all you would need to do is push the entire clasp on the hinge to your jump ring connector. To open, you push the hinge inward. They are called triggerless lobster clasps or interlocking clasps.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

I have used this style on some beads and pearls that I have strung. To clip it all you would need to do is push the entire clasp on the hinge to your jump ring connector. To open, you push the hinge inward. They are called triggerless lobster clasps or interlocking clasps.

Ooo I like this! Any particular vendor you'd recommend?

 

[88_star]

Ooo I like this! Any particular vendor you'd recommend?

This one is from Stuller, but I saw a clasp that looked like two of these clips (the jump ring did not open but was the same size as the oval clip) from Bella Findings.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

This one is from Stuller, but I saw a clasp that looked like two of these clips (the jump ring did not open but was the same size as the oval clip) from Bella Findings.

I'm writing this down for myself. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I find anything that requires the use of a fingernail painful

and now im too scared to wear anything with a magnetic clasps

 

[OneKuhlChic]

How about something like the bracelet catch or open box clasp? They’re basically push clasps with a safety catch. I think they’re more common with bracelets, but you can get necklaces with these clasps (just have to order them custom).

Alternatively, how about s-hooks?

Or you could order a decorative clasp like the one I bought from Rio Grande Jewelry Supply. They don't require you to be a jeweler or a retail shop to make purchases. Just bring it to your jeweler so they can attach it to your necklace.

Then again, I'm Miss Frugal always looking for a good score!!!

I added this clasp to my dangle necklace, it looks great, it's extremely secure, and has never failed... and I wear my dangle necklace every day even around the house!!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I prefer clasps that in addition to these amazing magnets, have some mechanical holding
function as well.