The necklace clasp is where the quality of a finished piece is most directly tested. A clasp that fails, looks mismatched or is difficult to operate undermines every hour of craft before it. Choosing the right type and applying it correctly is the mark of professional jewellery finishing. GRIFFIN produces a range of clasps and finishing findings in 925 sterling silver (confirmed nickel-free) and 24K gold plated, each suited to specific construction approaches. These are five of the most professionally effective necklace finishing methods.
Finish 1: GRIFFIN Lobster Clasp with GRIFFIN Crimp Tubes
This is the standard professional wire strung necklace finish and the most widely used closing combination in contemporary bead jewellery. The GRIFFIN Lobster Clasp provides a spring locked, secure closure; GRIFFIN Crimp Tubes provide the permanent wire to clasp connection.
Construction: Thread GRIFFIN Jewelry Wire through a crimp tube, loop through the closed eye of the lobster clasp (Shape 2 with closed eye is recommended for maximum security), then back through the crimp tube. Leave a 3mm to 5mm gap between the crimp and the clasp. Apply the GRIFFIN Bead Crimper: Stage 1 folds the tube to separate the two wire strands; Stage 2 rounds it to a compact, bead like finish. Thread the wire tail through the first two or three beads and trim. Repeat at the other end with a soldered jump ring as the fixed hook point.
Available: GRIFFIN Lobster Clasps in three shapes (with open ring, with closed eye, slim with open ring), four sizes (9, 11, 13, 16mm), in 925 sterling silver (nickel free) and 24K gold plated. Match crimp metal to clasp and wire surface for a cohesive finish.
Finish 2: GRIFFIN Magnetic Ball Clasp for Daily Wear Pearl Necklaces
The GRIFFIN Magnetic Ball Clasp uses two powerful internal magnets concealed behind polished spherical covers. Both halves connect automatically when brought near each other and release by manually sliding them apart, a slide to open mechanism that prevents accidental opening.
For knotted cord necklaces (silk or NylonPower), finish the cord at each end using the slipknot method with GRIFFIN Bead Cord Glue, then attach each clasp half to the finished cord end via the clasp’s integrated loop. For wire strung designs, use GRIFFIN Crimp Tubes at each end.
Available: Magnetic Ball Clasp available in 8, 10, 12 and 15mm diameter in 925 sterling silver (nickel free) and 24K gold plated. The ball form complements the round shape of pearl beads visually, making this the most aesthetically appropriate clasp for pearl necklaces. Note: not recommended for wearers with pacemakers or other implanted magnetic sensitive devices.
Finish 3: GRIFFIN S-Hook Clasp for Visible Cord Finishes
The GRIFFIN S-Hook Clasp is a decorative interlocking hook closure where the hardware is intentionally visible as part of the design. Two interlocking elements, an S-shaped hook and a receiving loop (with two linking rings or double eyelets), create a secure connection under normal tension that opens by unhooking manually.
For leather cord, waxed cotton and braided nylon designs, the S-Hook suits the artisanal character of the cord. Secure the cord end in a bell cap or tube end finding, then connect to the S-Hook via a GRIFFIN jump ring. At the other end, create a fixed cord loop or ring for the hook to engage.
Available: GRIFFIN S-Hook Clasps in 925 sterling silver (nickel free) and 24K gold plated, in three lengths: 12.0mm, 20.0mm and 30.0mm. The 12.0mm suits fine cord and delicate designs; the 20.0mm works for standard leather and braided cord work; the 30.0mm is the visible decorative option where the clasp is a deliberate design feature in statement pieces. Best for cord forward designs where the clasp contributes to the overall aesthetic rather than being concealed.
Finish 4: GRIFFIN Bell Caps for Cord End Finishing
Bell Caps are conical metal caps that enclose the end of a cord, producing a polished, jewellery grade termination point. GRIFFIN describes these as the classic and most popular terminators in professional jewellery making. Two Bell Caps variants exist: Bell Caps with open eye (Ø 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0mm, openable loop for flexible construction) and Bell Caps with large closed eye (Ø 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0mm, permanently fixed loop for clasp attachment).
Application: Apply GRIFFIN Superglue to the cord end. Insert the cord end into the bell cap and press fully in while the adhesive is wet. Allow to cure completely before attaching to the clasp. The cap’s eye connects to the clasp via a GRIFFIN jump ring.
Bell caps work for silk, nylon, cotton and leather cord in medium to larger diameters. The conical bell shape is traditional and elegant, complementing both contemporary and heritage jewellery aesthetics. Both variants are available in 925 sterling silver (nickel free) and 24K gold plated.
Finish 5: GRIFFIN Squeeze Capsule for an Invisible Cord Finish
The GRIFFIN Squeeze Capsule is a finishing component that conceals knots or crimp beads while connecting the stringing material to a clasp. The result is a smooth, spherical metal bead at the cord termination and no visible knot, no visible hardware, no visible cord end.
Application for cord: Thread the cord through the capsule from the back. Tie a knot inside the capsule body. Apply GRIFFIN Bead Cord Glue. Press the capsule closed using flat-nose pliers. The loop extending from the closed capsule connects to the clasp via a jump ring. For wire: thread and crimp inside the capsule body, then press closed.
GRIFFIN Squeeze Capsules are available in 925 sterling silver (nickel free) and 24K gold plated, in approximate diameters of 3.0mm, 4.0mm and 5.0mm, plus a 4.0mm version with a thread hole for direct cord connection. For the most refined, invisible finish on fine cord or wire necklaces, this is the professional standard.
For multi-strand work (2-row, 3-row, or 4-row designs), GRIFFIN also produces dedicated Multi-Strand Ends as an alternative to the Squeeze Capsule, engineered specifically to terminate multiple parallel strands cleanly.
Matching Clasp to Design: A Quick Reference
- Heavy gemstone beads on wire: GRIFFIN Lobster Clasp (Shape 2, closed eye, 13mm or 16mm) with GRIFFIN Crimp Tubes
- Pearl knotted necklace: GRIFFIN Magnetic Ball Clasp (10mm or 12mm), round form, easy operation, pearl appropriate aesthetics
- Leather or cord design: GRIFFIN S-Hook Clasp (12.0mm, 20.0mm or 30.0mm depending on cord scale), visible, decorative, appropriate for tactile cord aesthetics
- Silk or nylon knotted necklace requiring invisible finish: GRIFFIN Squeeze Capsule (4.0mm or 5.0mm) with GRIFFIN Lobster Clasp; or Multi-Strand Ends for 2/3/4-row work
- Fine chain or lightweight design: GRIFFIN Spring Ring (5mm or 6mm), low profile, traditional, discrete
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the most secure necklace clasp for heavy beads?
- A GRIFFIN Lobster Clasp (Shape 2 with closed eye) in 13mm or 16mm, combined with GRIFFIN Crimp Tubes using the two stage fold and round technique. The spring locked mechanism holds securely under sustained weight and the closed eye provides a permanent, non openable attachment point for the wire.
Q2. What size lobster clasp should I use for a standard pearl necklace?
- An 11mm GRIFFIN Lobster Clasp suits most standard pearl necklaces proportionally and provides sufficient security. For larger South Sea or Baroque pearl strands with heavier cord, 13mm is more appropriate. For very fine freshwater strands, 9mm may be a better visual fit.
Q3. How does a GRIFFIN Magnetic Ball Clasp open?
- The two halves slide apart manually rather than simply pulling them apart. This slide to open mechanism prevents accidental opening under normal tension while remaining easy to operate with one hand. The halves come together and lock magnetically without requiring manual threading.
Q4. What sizes does the GRIFFIN S-Hook Clasp come in?
- GRIFFIN confirms three S-Hook Clasp lengths: 12.0mm, 20.0mm and 30.0mm, all in 925 sterling silver (nickel free) and 24K gold plated. Choose the 12.0mm for fine cord and delicate pieces; 20.0mm for standard leather, waxed cotton or braided nylon work; and 30.0mm where the clasp is a visible decorative element in a statement design.
Q5. What is a GRIFFIN Bell Cap used for?
- Bell Caps are conical metal caps that enclose and conceal the end of a cord, providing a polished termination point for the clasp attachment. GRIFFIN describes them as the classic and most popular cord end terminators in professional jewellery making. Available with open eye (Ø 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0mm) or large closed eye (Ø 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0mm) for flexible or permanent attachment.
Q6. Can I use the same clasp for both wire strung and cord strung necklaces?
- The clasp type can often be the same, but the attachment method differs. Wire strung necklaces use GRIFFIN Crimp Tubes to attach wire to the clasp loop; cord strung necklaces use knotting methods or bell caps with adhesive. The GRIFFIN Lobster Clasp works with both attachment methods.