Fascinating Facts about Lobster Claw Clasps?

Whether you prefer to make your own jewelry or to buy it ready made from a professional jewelry maker, one thing that you will more than likely have come across is the "lobster claw" style of clasp. But what is a lobster claw clasp, and why is it so important in the jewelry manufacture and design industry?

Lobster claw clasps are the name given to a special family of clasps which usually consist of an oval or tear drop shaped band, with a hinged open and close section. The hinged section of the clasp can be opened, so that something can be either hooked directly onto the band (for example a jump ring) or something can be threaded through the section in the middle of the band (for example if you wanted to hang the clasp off of a belt buckle). The clasps are known as lobster claw clasps because the way they open and close looks much like the way the claw of a lobster or crab would!

Lobster Claw clasps come in a range of different sizes and materials, There are very small, delicate, gold, silver or platinum lobster claw clasps which are used by makers of fine jewelry and there are larger, plastic lobster claw clasps which are used on the end of a key chains. Many bags with detachable straps will utilize large lobster claw clasps to make the strap of the bag much easier to remove or reattach. The most common type of lobster claw clasp is probably the type that is used in fashion jewelry. These are either made from stainless steel, or a coated alloy, depending on the quality of the piece of jewelry.

In the jewelry business, lobster claw clasps are commonly used on necklaces, bracelet or anklets. In some cases, the opposite end of the jewelry from the lobster claw will have a short series of jump rings on the end of it, so that the length of the chain is effectively adjustable in length. By attaching the lobster claw clasp to the jump ring right at the end of the chain, you can make the chain as long as possible, whereas attaching the lobster claw clasp to one of the other jump rings will help to make the chain shorter. This is one of the benefits of lobster claw clasps that allows them to stand out over other types of jewelry fastener.

Although lobster claw clasps are relatively easy to use, some people struggle with the very delicate ones that are used on the finest quality jewelry items. They may be difficult for people to use if they have a low level of dexterity or coordination, but most people do not struggle at all. Because of the way in which the fastener works, they are one of the safest and most secure types of jewelry clasp available on the market, so you need not worry about your jewelry accidentally falling off and getting lost, as you might do with a swivel or screw clasped item.

Lobster claw fasteners come in a huge variety of materials and sizes, so if you are making your own jewelry, you will be sure to find a lobster claw clasp which is suitable.     

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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