Magnetic Jewelry Clasp

How often have you become very irritated trying to do up or undo that wretched clasp on a favourite necklace, such as those fiddly clasps so beloved of mainstream jewellers. If you are of advancing years, unfortunately your jewellery stays in its box far too often as you simply can't bothered to do it up.

The answer is the hook clasp - a wonderful clasp much overlooked by the jewellery industry, it's a simple hook which doesn't require much handling. It is a really easy type of clasp to use and the weight of the necklace ensures that the clasp remains closed. Another added benefit of a hook clasp is that it can be used with an extender chain, this is a very useful addition to a necklace which ensures it is worn in the correct length just suitable for you. A magnetic clasp is also easy to use but can't be worn by anyone with a pacemaker and also it is only suitable for lighter necklaces.

Of course for bracelets the hook clasp is not so ideal as it can come undone. For bracelets, a toggle clasp, or a trigger clasp with an extender chain are more ideal as these are the easiest to do up one handed and an extender chain makes for the perfect fit.

Another feature which you should look for is how the jewellery has been made, and does the shopping website tell you this at all? Maybe they don't think it is important but it certainly is as you should know what you are buying. For example the best beading wire on the market is extremely supple, so supple you would think that thread or silk has been used. So why should you buy a necklace only to find you are tugging on it to straighten it out because it was strung on poor quality, stiff beading wire. Also, heavy pearl or gemstone beads on poor quality wire will stretch the wire too so it is important that the right width of wire was used.

Similarly how has the necklace or bracelet been finished off at the clasp tells you a lot about the care that has gone into its making and the risk of it coming apart. What holds the necklace together are something called crimps. Sometimes they are covered by a silver or gold round bead but often they can be seen. If they are viewable and have diagonal markings, or if two large crimps are used side by side then the maker has placed the best crimps that are available on the market on the necklace and it should be extremely secure.

Always ask questions wherever you can to establish you are getting well made jewellery.