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Choosing Clasps & Finishing Methods: A Visual Guide
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Are you asking yourself "what clasp should I use for my bead stringing project?" Find the answers here, with illustrations and links to jewelry-making findings and supplies! Get more how-to tips with our free guides to finishing methods and stringing materials for handmade jewelry.
Choosing Clasps Easy Finishing Methods
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Lightweight to Medium-Weight Strung Jewelry
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 Spring rings,
 lobster clasps,
 pearl clasps,
or  magnetic clasps work well for most light- to medium-weight necklaces and bracelets. Choose size of clasp according to weight: very light = small clasp, medium weight = medium clasp and so on.
To attach: For very light necklaces, use  bead tips with these clasps,
or for heavier pieces and bracelets, use  crimp beads.
For leather and thicker cord, use  coil ends or
 fold-over crimps.
Do not use bead tips for bracelets, anklets, or any other jewelry that will be under heavier wear pressure.
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Medium-Weight to Heavy-Weight Strung Jewelry
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 Toggle clasps,
 hook and eye clasps,
and large  lobster clasps
work well for most medium to heavy necklaces and bracelets. Choose size of clasp according to weight: medium weight = medium clasp, heavy = large clasp.
To attach: Use crimp beads,
coil ends,
 bullet ends or
fold-over crimps.
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Multistrand Necklaces
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Any clasp. Choose size of clasp according to weight: very light = small clasp, medium weight= medium clasp and so on.
To attach: Use bullet ends or  multi-loop necklace ends.
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Chokers
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Any clasp. Choose size of clasp according to weight: very light = small clasp, medium weight = medium clasp and so on.
To attach: Use  choker clamps or multi-loop necklace ends.
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Easy Finishing Methods For ...
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Leather & Cotton Cord
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What works well with 1mm and 2mm  leather cord
and  cotton cording are
 Adjuster beads. These two-hole beads are easy to use. Simply string two adjuster beads onto one cord end and tie a knot. Take the other end of your cord and string it through the second hole of both adjuster beads in the opposite direction of the first cord end. Give yourself one to two inches of slack, and tie a knot. The beads should "grip" the cord and make it possible for the wearer to slide the piece open and closed according to their needs.
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Beading Thread
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String clam-shell-shaped bead tips
onto  silk cord
or synthetics such as  Nymo and Superlon.
To help make a good-sized knot, tie a knot around a  seed bead that sits in the "cup" of the bead tip. Dab a little glue on the bead for extra security, then close the bead tip over the knot and seed bead (basically push the shell closed).
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Beading Wire (Stringing Cable)
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Crimp beads:
great with  Beadalon or
 Tigertail. Just string on a crimp, make a loop and put the end of the loop through your crimp bead, then either flatten the crimp bead with flat-nose jewelry pliers, or use
 crimping pliers to create a smaller, rounded crimped bead.
For a more professional-looking finish, you may want to either cover the crimp bead with a  crimp cover,
or cover the stringing cable with  French wire (bullion).
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