Use toggle clasps (also called T-bar closures) for traditional necklace designs, or feature at the front of necklaces as a lariat closure. Toggles are popular for bracelet designs too, because they're easier to manipulate with one hand than many other clasp styles.
Silver plated toggle clasps have a layer of fine silver, so they nicely match sterling silver findings. However, silver can oxidize (tarnish) over time, so although white plate, rhodium plate, and imitation rhodium plate are a bit grayer, they are also tarnish-resistant.
Gold plating is a brighter yellow than brass or bronze finishes, but antiqued gold can mix well with all 3 finishes.
Antiquing brings out the detail in textured jewelry findings. allowing the designs to really "pop".
Some of our copper toggles are hand-made of solid copper, and then copper plated for a smooth, uniform color.
Toggle Clasp Hints
To help make sure your toggle clasps can easily be opened and closed, and no one loses one of your creations:
The last few beads you put near the "T" part of the clasp should be small, or use a short section of chain or other pretty link components. This makes sure the bar can be pulled all the way all the way through the ring (making the clasp easier to close).
When using toggle clasps for bracelets, the bracelet must fit the customer fairly well. If the bracelet is too loose, a short toggle bar might wiggle itself out of its loop. Longer bars can help solve the problem, but won't eliminate it. To easily re-size your bracelets to your customers' or gift recipients' wrists, you might want to use a few chain links at one end, or both ends, between the clasp and the last beads.
