[Jewelry making - Article 00097] - Re: [Orchid] Reversible clasp

[Neilthejeweler]

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>     If your design can handle the small cost increase the tongue and
>     plate it passes through should be 18k nickel white gold. 

    Agree. However keep in mind that if you fabricate this clasp from
    sheet stock you will have a huge amount of waste. I suspect trying to
    form it out of wire may overstress at the bends, even if you anneal.
    Buy a gold finding and you'll be cost effective with a sturdy long
    lasting clasp. 

    If you opt not for gold it 'could' be done in nickel but then there
    goes calling the piece sterling. 

    IF you must use sterling make it beefy, .040" or more With just
    enough of a recess at the holding point to do the job. If you make
    the recess or notch too deep you will of necessity bend the tongue
    passed its memory point merely to open the clasp and it will take a
    set and never be right. 

    It just occurs to me that if the bracelet has enough sideways flex
    you might investigate a bayonet clasp. This could be effective in
    sterling because the tongue is so long stress isn't confined to a
    single point.
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