Migrating clasps

Hi,

I’ve been enjoying reading the blog and the advice provided has
already helped me with soldering in my metalsmithing class.

I have two greenhorn questions:

  1. How do jewelers prevent a necklace clasp from constantly migrating
    to the front? I thought it might only happen when the clasp is
    heavier than the chain weight or the pendant, but I’ve also had this
    happen with very light clasps. I realize that this might happen with
    any necklace, but some do it more than others. Any tips would be most
    appreciated. Thanks so much,

  2. Moved to a separate thread

Georgette

Hi Georgette,

This is just one of those things that happens as a common result of
turning ones head and everyday living. I’ve made pendants for people
where I incorporated two lobster claw findings that connected on
either side of the main piece. The only other thing that works well
is to use a large piece of duct tape to secure the clasp to the back
of your neck, this also has another benefit as you take the tape off
you have a waxing affect that leaves your neck nice and smooth. (
tee hee ) sorry I couldn’t resist.

Mark

Hi Georgette,

A solution can be found at

Pendant Positioner
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/m1

And you’re free to make and sell them yourself since I’ve let the
patent lapse.

For about $60,000 in start-up costs you could get production started
with a high quality plated spring wire. Another $40,000 you MIGHT be
able to get nitinol production going (there are some research issues
there).

But, I should forewarn you, of a dozen jewelers who I had play with
one only 1 was enthusiastic. Of a couple dozen women that played with
it none were enthusiastic about anything but the result, they
indicated that they wouldn’t even try to use one in real life. The
one to two minutes it takes to carefully put one on or remove it
would basically be “too much effort” (for the ones that could see it)
and getting someone else to do it would be “too much effort” for
those that couldn’t see it (it is rather small and best seen under
magnification). Of over 1000 women that had an opportunity to respond
to a questionnaire only 50 some did and though a couple thought
they’d gladly pay $9.99 to have one installed another couple were
certain that their habit of grabbing their pendant and sliding it
back and forth on the chain would quickly ruin something.

Guys, however, generally all think it’s a great idea, it obviously
solves the problem and it’s pretty easy to use–but they wouldn’t
want to always be the one that had to put one on (or take it off) and
especially not 5 minutes AFTER they had wanted to leave the house…

From a sales perspective, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution
hence more sales but from a buyer perspective it’s an
I-have-to-PAY-for-several issue.

James E. White
Inventor, Marketer, and Author of "Will It Sell?

The only other thing that works well is to use a large piece of
duct tape to secure the clasp to the back of your neck, 

I can appreciate humor, but I do not want to leave impression that
it is something that is accepted. It is not. I cannot give any quick
pointer to solve this problem, because it is not simple. To
summarize, this happens when linkage is not working well. To go into
more detail would mean writing a book, for which I have no time at
the moment. Linkage must be appropriate with design (artistic)
linkage design (engineering) must be consistent with the type, and
etc… Way to much details to go into.

Leonid Surpin

Free hair removal! I have certain necklaces in my jewelry case that
migrate but others don’t. And I have always wondered why not.
Sometimes I seem to be readjusting the clasp every five minutes.

Sounds like me when I refused to invest in a company called Velok
(late 1950’s), that became Velcro. I said women would never use it
instead of zippers and guys wouldn’t use it because it made the most
god-awful sound when opened. Who knew about the space program? It
split 10 for 1 several times and kept going back to $100 a share
each time.

Can’t say for sure but in my experience it seems that if the closure
is smaller than the diameter of the chain The problem doesn’t seem to
be as bad as when the closure is larger than the chain. That said in
this day of machine made very fine chain the clasp tech has not kept
up so I see the problem more frequently, like say 95% of the time.
Just an opinion nothing scientific to back it up just observation and
experiments from trying to solve the same problem.

John (Jack) Sexton

How about a continuous chain and no clasp?

Not saying clasps aren’t at fault, but sometimes I’ve noticed it’s
the chain, not the clasp, that causes the migration. Links that
aren’t symmetrical left to right can slide with uneven friction on
the pendant. When there is more friction from one side it causes a
bias in the movement which eventually pulls the chain around the
neck. Not sure how good this explanation is, but think about it

Mary Partlan
White Branch Designs