Pearl Clasp

This is part of the fourth project from Stage 8 of the Apprentice program at Jewellery Training Solutions, a stage dedicated to learning advanced cutting skills and advanced setting construction. This lesson is comprised of six different projects, a pair of earring and different types of clasps. I’m always looking for different types of clasps to make, since that’s the only part of my jewelry that I don’t always fabricate myself. This type of clasp is typically used on strings of pearls, but I love it for other pieces as well. It is very secure, since there is a built in safety mechanism.

What were the challenges?

Making the body of this clasp wasn’t difficult, but shaping the latch mechanism took a couple of tries and a lot of time. Peter doesn’t offer specific drawings, so we need to figure out the exact dimensions on our own. My file and I become friends! The trick is to get it to fit snugly in and latch against the two upright supports on the side. It also needs to be shaped so that it will fit between the side supports and the top so it comes out of the clasp.

Where could I improve?

The latch snaps in with a nice click and is secure, but it moves around more than I would like it to. I would have also liked a nicer dome shape on the top of the clasp.

What did I learn?

The main thing I learned from this project was how this mechanism works. It wasn’t clear to me when I started, or after my first attempt. This is definitely a clasp I will put to use.