Traditional and Vintage Jewelry Clasps

Costume jewelry clasps come in many sizes, styles, and shapes. Materials used range from pot metal to silver-plated, to gold filled sterling silver to solid gold. They can be as simple or ornate as your imagination including all assortment of vintage rhinestones, jewels, filigree, beads, multi-strands, etc.The main types of clasps you'll find on costume jewelry items are shown in the photo below and include: lobster claw or "trigger" clasps, springring, hook, tab insert or box, hook-and-eye, fold-over, barrel, "s" hook, and toggle. Other types of clasps include self-closing clasps, torpedo clasps, bayonet clasps, magnetic clasps, tab lock clasps, "c" clasps, barrel-and-ball, and slide lock clasps. Vintage and contemporary jewelry designers carefully choose which clasp to use to best accent their necklaces, bracelets and other costume jewelry. Some designers have very specific designs to their claps like Monet, Coro, and Lisner.