Wescott Jewelry

Hey, everybody! So, a few weeks ago I debuted my first post in a new series on my blog where I talk about different clasps and really get into what I do and don’t like about them. We talked about lobster claws in that first post and the number one most requested clasp to discuss next was something a bit more decorative.

The Box Clasp

Box clasps have two distinct sides. On one side is a decorative box (usually rectangular, but they come in lots of styles and shapes) and the other side is a small, angular tab that slots into the box. You can sometimes find them listed as Push ‘n Pull clasps or Tab Insert Clasps.

Pro’s

First off, box clasps are fairly easy to fasten one-handed. Unlike the lobster claws, the tabs just have to be pushed into the box component, so there’s no fishing around with a hook clutched precariously between your fingernails. They’re even easier to take off, since all you have to do is depress the tab with a fingernail and it’ll spring apart on its own.

Secondly, box clasps are highly decorative, also unlike the oh-so-functional lobster claw. Box clasps don’t look like hardware and they come in many different styles and shapes. You can find sparkly or antiqued, square or round, filigree and even floral. Lots of the ones I like best come with inlaid crystals, but there are also tons in matte and antiqued finishes to match less fancy shmancy pieces.

I also find the size of most box clasps to be very useful. With a wide cuff or bracelet that doesn’t come down to a point, wider clasps don’t break up the overall silhouette. When you have a wide bracelet, it can be difficult to find a clasp option with the right proportions. A tiny one-strand clasp can look kinda clumsy on a big bracelet.

I also love that box clasps come with multiple loops. I usually end up preferring the two- or three-loop options, just because they stabilize a wide bracelet connection. They do make single-strand box clasps (you can find these on a lot of vintage jewelry) and I think they look super classy, even though I don’t use them as often.

Cons

The biggest con with box clasps is that some of them are more secure than others. I have bought some in the past where the tab has been bent at too tight of an angle and the tension isn’t enough to keep the box secure. When you close a box clasp, you wanna feel a secure and noticeable “click” into place. If the clasp feels mushy or doesn’t “click”, I wouldn’t trust it. Because of this, I prefer to buy my box clasps in person (either at my local bead shop or at a bead show) so that I can open and close them before purchase to make sure they’re secure. This means that buying them online is a gamble.

Another con with box clasps is that they are decorative.

“Hold up!” you may say. “You listed this as a pro! You are full of contradictions, you clown. How could you betray me with this horrific discrepancy???”

And you’re not wrong. Box clasps being so decorative is definitely part of their appeal, BUT it does mean that you need to take aesthetics into account when choosing a box clasp for your bracelet. Not only does it need to be the right metal and the right size, but the style needs to match the style of your beading. It can really add to your piece, but you need to make sure it doesn’t clash or overwhelm your beading.

Another quick note is that box clasps usually have a bit more surface area touching the skin, so if you or your clients struggle with metal allergies or turning metals, more of the clasp will be rubbing up against their wrist than with a lobster claw or toggle.

Another con is that box clasps can be expensive. You get what you pay for and in general, I’m happy to spend a bit more for a bit of sparkle that I trust is secure, but it can cause a twinge in your heart to spend $10 on one clasp, when the same amount could buy you about 20 lobster claws. Especially if you sell your jewelry and that added cost means you’ll need to increase your prices.

When Do I Use Them?

My favorite use of box clasps is one wider bracelets that can stand a little pop of style without disrupting the aesthetics of the over all piece. I especially love lightweight filigree options with two or three holes.

Generally, I do not use box clasps on necklaces. Traditionally, single strand box clasps are used on knotted pearl necklaces, but personally, I find it a bit wasteful to use such a detailed clasp when it’ll be hidden under your hair. I’m also not sure I trust box clasps with the weight of multi-strand necklaces.

Now, I don’t usually make brand-specific recommendations on this blog (unless I’m extolling the virtues of Miyuki seed beads, like I did here), but as I mentioned – box clasps can be hit or miss. So, let me tell you now that I LOVE Elegant Elements brand box clasps. They come with crystals or without and I have never had an issue with them closing properly. They can be a bit heavy, but I find them extremely reliable and high-quality. They’re priced accordingly, but I have found them to be worth every penny. They’re made in Germany and are either 23k gold-plated or rhodium and the crystals and pearls they use are Swarovski.

Elegant Elements is a great brand for box clasps and I 100% recommend them. I am not being paid or sponsored for this opinion, and I use them on my own jewelry all the time.

(Elegant Elements, I love you and if you wanna sponsor me, hit me up!)

So! Those are my thoughts about Box Clasps! Do you guys have anything to add or any ideas on what clasp I should do next? Let me know in the comments. ❤

I wanna start a new series on this blog where I compare different types of clasps and talk a bit about what I’ve learned over the years in terms of what they are and aren’t good for. I’m calling it the Clasp Wars and today we’re gonna start with one of the most basic clasp types of the all.

The Lobster Claw.

So, you’ve definitely seen this buddy before. It’s a standard clasp that comes on a lot of jewelry, both manufactured and hand-made. You pull the little lever with a finger nail and the claw opens up and allows the clasp to be hooked onto a single ring or a chain. Let’s talk about the Pro’s and Cons of these little guys.

Pro’s

First off, lobster claw clasps are one of the most secure clasp options you can choose. They don’t rely on tension to stay closed, but have an actual locking lever mechanism. They can’t slide off and can usually withstand a pretty fearsome tug. Different lobster claws will have different levels of strength depending on what metal they’re made out of, but in general I consider them to be top tier in terms of security.

Secondly, using a lobster claw clasp is a really easy way to make your jewelry adjustable. This is really useful in a couple different situations. For example, if you sell your jewelry (like I do), making a bracelet adjustable means that you have a wider pool of customers it will fit. It also makes necklace lengths adjustable, which is great when you’re trying to make your necklace sit just right against the neckline of your top or dress.

Plus, I love making adjustable clasps on bracelets and then putting a coordinating bead on the last loop of the chain.

Thirdly, lobster claw clasps are one of the most basic types of clasps, so they are very easy to find. They aren’t some sort of niche finding that you can only find in one or two specialty shops. The ubiquitous nature of lobster claws also means that customers pretty much always know how they work and don’t struggle to figure out how to work the clasp on the pretty bracelet they just bought.

Fourthly, related to them being easy to find, lobster claw clasps come in a variety of styles. You can find them in drastically different sizes, all sorts of finishes and colors, and sometimes with more decorative elements on them. I generally stock up on the simple ones, but lots of more elaborate styles exist. And because there are so many material and color options out there, finding a lobster claw that coordinates with your other findings is usually fairly painless.

Fifthly, I find that the simplicity of lobster claw clasps keeps them from distracting from the rest of your design. Sometimes a big statement clasp is a must and positively makes a piece, but sometimes you wanna add other elements to a project and the simplicity of a lobster claw gives you room to include more details elsewhere. In these custom Ravenclaw themed bracelets, the simple a secure lobster claw was an ideal place to attach these bonus Harry Potter charms.

Cons

The first and biggest problem with lobster claw clasps is that some of them can be hard to use. A low-quality lobster claw might be stiff or have a broken internal spring that keeps the lever from working properly. Even when you have a high quality lobster claw that works smoothly and closes completely, some people struggle to manipulate the little lever. Folks with arthritic hands or people with limited fine motor control can really struggle with that tiny little tab.

Even if the tab isn’t the problem, sometimes you find yourself chasing the rings with the lobster claw around and around your wrist, trying to fasten it without help. For me, I drape the bracelet over my wrist, so that the chain is dangling down and the claw is reaching up to snag it. Then, I press my wrist up against the underside of a table or cabinet, pinning the chain down, and reach up with the clasp to fasten it. If that doesn’t work for you, you might wanna try the paperclip trick!

When Do I Use Them?

For me, lobster claw clasps are a great basic clasp option. Because they are secure, I like to use them for bracelets, especially when I want to add a few rings and a cute dangle to make my piece adjustable.

I really like to use them on slim bracelets in more casual styles because lobster claws come in lots of small sizes that don’t distract from the bracelet or add too much bulk.

They are also great on necklace chains with pendants because making the necklace length adjustable makes it easier to style with different tops and necklines.

The only major downside is that some customers find them difficult to use. You can mitigate this a bit by seeking out smooth, high-quality clasps or using larger sizes, but in the end, some people just avoid lobster claw clasps across the board and you might get a request to change out the clasp.

So! Did you guys find that helpful at all? If so, what style clasp would you like me to discuss next? Comment below and help me decide!