Types of Jewelry Findings

Jewelry findings are a crucial component of the jewelry making process - they are what keep your jewelry pieces intact by joining parts to form a single piece. They can be functional, used for decorative purposes, or both. Clasps, rings, chains, wires, ear loops, and connectors, etc. are some examples. Often people argue that they are in fact a type of jewelry part. While that is true to some extent, remember that jewelry findings can be considered jewelry parts but not vice versa. There are endless types of findings that you can make use of when creating your jewelry. Here we discuss some of the more commonly used ones.

Wire: In order to make a beaded bracelet or necklace, the first thing that you will need is wire on which to thread your beads. The wire used in jewelry making is quite strong and pliable and typically is comprised of thin steel wires and is covered with plastic. Other alternative findings for threading beads include ribbons, elastic, leather straps, etc.

Clasps: These are the findings that find extensive use in making the ends of bracelets, necklaces and anklets, etc. meet and fasten. They are designed to fasten the piece of jewelry around the wrist, neck or ankle. Clasps are comprised of two parts, each of which is attached to the end of a jewelry piece. At one end is the clasp, which opens when a lever is pushed and at the other is the jump ring. To fasten the piece of jewelry, just insert the jump ring when the clasp is open and release the lever to shut it. Depending on the design you have in mind for the jewelry, you can choose from a variety of clasps like spring clasps and lobster claw clasps, etc. There are other types of clasps as well which do not use the lever mechanism, like toggle clasps and magnetic clasps.

Crimp Beads: This is one of the very commonly used findings that have a place in the work of every jewelry maker who uses beads. These crimp beads are typically silver in color and are used to slide over knots in wire or thread to cover them. They are used to secure the loop in a bracelet or necklace so that a jump ring can be attached to it and the ends can be closed.

Earring Wires: These are jewelry findings that are a must have if you are making earrings. These are the ones that just slide through the piercing in your ear and are secured with a rubber or metal stopper. They are often made of metals like gold, silver, nickel, etc. and can be adorned with beads or charms to make stylish earrings. There are various types of earring wires you can choose from - some come with fish hooks while there are others that come with lever back hooks.

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