Got this adorable little antique collet clasp!

[thistlespell]

I added a bail right away to see if I fancied it as a pendant. I may eventually string some pearls onto it! I just wanted to share it - I think it’s so precious!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

It is super cute! It would look great with pearls.

 

[CMN]

It’s calling out for pearls!

 

[thistlespell]

It is super cute! It would look great with pearls.

It’s calling out for pearls!

Yay! I have one of my necklaces next to it for inspiration. I’m not sure if I should choose pearls that are a similar size to the clasp. It’s quite small, I wonder how it would look?

 

[CMN]

What are the approximate dimensions of the collet?

 

[thistlespell]

What are the approximate dimensions of the collet?

The collet not including the rest of the clasp is only about 6mm. And 10mm from one end to the other. I think pearls that small might be too small.

Edit: Perhaps a graduated pearl necklace would be best?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i vote for pearls too

 

[CMN]

The collet not including the rest of the clasp is only about 6mm. And 10mm from one end to the other. I think pearls that small might be too small.

Edit: Perhaps a graduated pearl necklace would be best?

Agree - I wouldn’t go to small. I Like the idea of at least trying how wearing a strand sitting asymmetrically would look With the clasp at the front. They do this for larger “feature” clasps so would be interested to see if something smaller would also work. Ie you wear the strand with the clasp near your collarbone at the front versus the traditional clasp at the back. You can actually wear it both ways but not if you do graduated pearls. (I mean you technically could but I think it would look off).

 

[thistlespell]

Agree - I wouldn’t go to small. I Like the idea of at least trying how wearing a strand sitting asymmetrically would look With the clasp at the front. They do this for larger “feature” clasps so would be interested to see if something smaller would also work. Ie you wear the strand with the clasp near your collarbone at the front versus the traditional clasp at the back. You can actually wear it both ways but not if you do graduated pearls. (I mean you technically could but I think it would look off).

Couldn’t agree more on all of your points! I think feature claps look the best on pearl necklaces. I really love the work of OceansCove, with the large statement clasps worn asymmetrically. I also love your idea of wearing it in the front versus the back because I wouldn’t want it just to be at the back of my neck.

 

[RRfromR]

So pretty

 

[Eclectic]

This is so pretty! If you look up antique graduated natural pearls you will see the dainty type of strand that this might have originally come from. I would love to see pics of the back of the clasp. I wish I could find one like this!

 

[thistlespell]

This is so pretty! If you look up antique graduated natural pearls you will see the dainty type of strand that this might have originally come from. I would love to see pics of the back of the clasp. I wish I could find one like this!

I know there’s a very similar (slightly bigger) one on Ruby Lane right now, but it’s priced about 8x higher than what I paid for mine. I got really lucky with a competitive and narrow eBay bid! https://www.rubylane.com/item/1275970-ER-1020/Antique-Victorian-Silver-Paste-Clasp

 

[Eclectic]

I know there’s a very similar (slightly bigger) one on Ruby Lane right now, but it’s priced about 8x higher than what I paid for mine. I got really lucky with a competitive and narrow eBay bid! https://www.rubylane.com/item/1275970-ER-1020/Antique-Victorian-Silver-Paste-Clasp

It was an eBay deal too! oh man. That makes it even better. There is nothing like finding a great deal!

 

[thistlespell]

It was an eBay deal too! oh man. That makes it even better. There is nothing like finding a great deal!

Oh man, it was so fun! My heart was racing.

 

[thistlespell]

Update! I got these tiny baroque fw pearls because I love baroque shape the most!
I probably could have gone with even smaller pearls but I couldn’t find any that weren’t potato shape. When I’m done stringing I’ll show the end result!

 

[Eclectic]

Oh I would have found you an old strand that would have worked. I might even still look for you if I get the chance. Either way, I love this clasp!

 

[thistlespell]

Oh I would have found you an old strand that would have worked. I might even still look for you if I get the chance. Either way, I love this clasp!

I looked for Georgian/victorian seed pearl strands, but I couldn’t find any that weren’t crazy expensive and already on a period clasp. Maybe I could just go with modern seed pearls, so that the clasp is still the main focus.