Jewelry findings are the small yet essential components that hold your pieces together. Whether you’re creating a delicate necklace, a pair of earrings, or a bold bracelet, the right findings can make all the difference in both functionality and appearance. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the different types of jewelry-making findings that every jewelry designer should know about.
Clasps
Clasps are essential for fastening jewelry pieces. They come in many types, each offering a unique look and level of security.
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Lobster Claw Clasps: A popular, secure clasp for necklaces and bracelets. Easily opened and closed with a small spring mechanism.
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Toggle Clasps: Composed of a bar and a loop, they are easy to fasten and give a decorative look to bracelets and necklaces.
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Buckle Clasps: A decorative clasp often used in bracelets for a stylish closure.
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Hook and Eye Clasps: A simple yet effective clasp consisting of a hook and an eye loop for quick fastening.
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Magnetic Clasps: Fastened using magnets, these are perfect for bracelets and necklaces that need to be put on and removed quickly.
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String-On Clasps: Ideal for stringing projects, offering a seamless closure.
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Swivel Lobster Clasps: These provide added flexibility as they can rotate, preventing chains or cords from tangling.
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Jump Rings
Jump rings are small metal rings that are used to connect different parts of a jewelry piece. They can be open (which can be twisted open and closed) or soldered closed.
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Soldered Closed Rings: These are permanent closed rings, perfect for secure connections in jewelry designs like pendants and charms.
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Jump Rings: Essential for connecting components, they come in various sizes and finishes.
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Ear Wires and Earring Findings
Ear wires and earring findings are crucial for creating earrings. They come in various styles depending on the type of earring design you’re aiming for.
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Leverback Ear Wires: A secure option with a hinged closure, commonly used for dangling earrings.
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Ear Wires: The most basic earring finding, typically a simple hook that fits through the ear.
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Earring Backs (Earnuts): These hold earrings in place. Available in different materials like rubber or metal.
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Earnuts: Specifically designed to fit onto ear wires or posts, providing a secure hold for stud earrings.
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Pins
Pins are thin metal rods used to secure beads or create decorative elements in jewelry.
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Head Pins: Used to create dangles for earrings or necklaces. The flat end of the pin holds beads in place.
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Eye Pins: Similar to head pins but with a looped end, allowing you to connect multiple components.
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Crimps
Crimps are essential for securing beads and other components to wire, providing a professional finish to jewelry.
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Crimp Beads and Crimp Tubes: Small beads or tubes used to secure stringing wire. They are crushed with pliers to hold the wire in place.
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Crimp Covers: Decorative findings used to cover crimp beads, giving your design a polished look.
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Crimp Ends: Used to secure the ends of wire or stringing materials in jewelry designs.
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Wire Guards
Wire guards protect the stringing material from friction and wear, ensuring durability.
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Bead Tips and Connectors
Bead tips and connectors help finish designs by hiding knots or connecting different jewelry elements.
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Bead Tips: Used to conceal knots in stringing projects while offering a way to attach clasps.
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Jewelry Connectors: Multi-functional components used to join different parts of a design, like chains, beads, or charms.
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Cord Ends
Cord ends secure the ends of various jewelry materials, from leather to string.
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Glue-In Cord Ends: Great for securing cords and giving a clean finish. Use jewelry glue to ensure a strong bond.
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Crimp Ends: Designed to clamp down on the ends of cord or leather to secure them in place.
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Bails and Frames
Bails and bead frames help attach pendants or accent beads to your jewelry, giving them a focal point.
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Bails: These findings allow you to hang a pendant from a necklace. Available in various designs, such as pinch bails and glue-on bails.
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Bead Frames: Decorative frames that encircle a bead, adding interest and structure to your design.
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Slide Tubes
Slide tubes are versatile findings used in multi-strand designs, helping to organize and space strands evenly.
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Earring Backs
In addition to traditional earnuts, you can find various types of earring backs:
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Earnuts (Earring Backs): Available in rubber, metal, or plastic, earring backs secure stud earrings in place, ensuring they don’t slip off.
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Each type of jewelry finding plays a critical role in creating sturdy, beautiful, and functional jewelry. Understanding the different types of findings available to you allows you to craft pieces that not only look professional but are also long-lasting and wearable.
Discover All Types of Jewelry Findings
At Continental Bead Suppliers, we offer a wide variety of jewelry-making findings, from clasps and crimps to ear wires and bails. Whether you're making earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, you'll find the perfect findings for your next project in our collection.
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