By Lorraine Sanderson
Sliding clasps in precious metal have long been the elusive component for jewellery makers. They are seen on many designs in both the media and jewellery shops, ranging from the simple friendship/stacker bracelet to high end designer brands. However, to find the clasps to purchase individually has been like trying to find gold at the end of a rainbow. Sliding clasps in sterling silver have been the topic of many a post on jewellery making forums, with frustrated artisans begging for advice on where to purchase. But worry not! They are here…
Sterling Silver Sliding Ball Clasp 8mm (product code NVQ SR08)
This clasp is super shiny and reflective, so catches the light beautifully as you move. However, if you are looking for a matt finish it can be lightly sanded with very fine grit sandpaper for that satin-like finish. The size of the clasp is 8mm so it does not over power, but is still large enough to hold its own as a feature of your jewellery.
The most common chain that I see used with these clasps is the ‘snake chain’, so I wondered how it would cope with alternatives. I decided to use a very fine curb chain with the accompanying slightly angular links. The silicone inside the sliding clasp can be seen when not threaded with chain which surprised me initially, but then again as said previously I have never seen these clasps without the completed bracelet. However as soon as the chain is threaded, the silicone disappears into the curve of the ball and becomes invisible.
The chain I used was sterling silver, because I feel that with regular sliding of the clasp any plating would soon wear off as it passes through the silicone. To thread all the wires through the ball, I used a piece of wire at the centre point of the chain and pulled them through the ball. The silicone allows for super smooth movement of the chain, with no hint of snagging on the curb links. I managed to thread eight strands of chain through this 8mm ball clasp and it still moved easily to adjust the size of the bracelet but was very secure when in position.
After testing it by doing a vigorous ‘should never be seen in public’ style dance, the bracelet did not loosen at all. A satisfying result meaning that it will not work loose during wear and fall off.
Sterling Silver Sliding Ellipse Clasp 8mm (product code NVQ SE08)
This clasp is an elliptical shape rather like a doughnut. It is very tactile and will provide pleasure for those who fiddle with their jewellery. It is less obvious than the ball clasp, and its delicate shape gives it a more elegant feel in my opinion. It works exactly like the ball clasp and can be used to adjust the length of a necklace or bracelet. I used this shape as the clasp on a lariat style necklace, with an open link chain which passed through easily but still remained secure.
For party season backless dresses the clasp could be pulled up tight at the back of the neck so the front looks like a ‘choker necklace’ but then the surprise is a cascade down the back. This shape of clasp would also lend itself to acting as decorative beads that could be moved around the necklace or bracelet, dependant on what you are wearing.
Sterling Silver Sliding Ball Clasp With Ring 6mm (product code NVQ SC06)
This is a highly polished ball but with the additional benefit of having a solid ring attached to it, to hang a charm or bead from. This little clasp still managed to accommodate two strands of 2mm cord through without dragging and gave a very secure result. Personally, I prefer these clasps for macramé bracelets instead of the sliding knots which always seem to work loose in my opinion.
The design of this ball clasp means that it does not have to be used solely as a clasp, but can be used beautifully as a charm carrier. If used on a choker necklace the silicone centre would give it stability, so that it does not move around your neck and the charm would stay central. Great news for the ‘compulsive balancers’ out there! So far I have tested this clasp out on various chain designs and thicknesses and cord, without any problems what so ever. In a flash of rare innovation I thought I would see what else I could do with them. The result was a very easy to adapt resizable ring.
I used 1.5mm gauge sterling silver gold plated twisted wire and crossed the ends through the bead so that the size could be altered to suit the finger. Not only did it look great for the current fashion of mixing metals, but also held the ring size securely on the finger – a great selling point if taking to craft fairs for general sale rather than a commission. The only point to note with using plated wire is that the plating wears off quite quickly with the movement against the silicone centre.
To summarize, these sliding ball clasps are an ingenious way to secure your jewellery and make it more adaptable whilst retaining a high class look and feel. They are also perfect for those people who have dexterity problems in fastening up lobster claw, ring or toggle clasps, as the two ends of the jewellery item are never separate from each other – so no chasing around the wrist for ages trying to fasten your bracelet.
Sterling Silver Sliding Clasps are a perfect way to enhance a variety of jewellery designs, so why not shop the range available in a variety of sizes at Cooksongold here and give your next piece that special added touch.
Cooksongold