<p>I know what you mean about terminology being the key. My quick pop of research shows me that you might want to use "friction clasp" as the search terms, especially as a number of sites which return from this have direct reference to locket construction.</p>

<p>The publisher of <a href="http://createjewelry.gr/blog/single/working_on_the_heart_locket" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this page</a> attempted a friction clasp closure for the locket and was not happy/successful in the result and created an alternative, which may also suit your purposes.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/9SgH7.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/9SgH7.jpg" alt="Rejected friction clasp image"></a></p>

<p>The selected solution is shown below:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/NgIBf.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/NgIBf.jpg" alt="selected friction clasp image"></a> </p>

<p>One can see the pin was removed from the first attempt and the hole was not filled in. I believe one can still refer to the solution as a friction clasp, from a mechanical standpoint.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.ganoksin.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-locket/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Another site</a> goes into great detail regarding making a locket including the creation of a friction clasp, which appears some distance down the page. It appears that the process results in the rejected design of the first page I've listed, yet I suppose it's personal taste and ability split down the middle:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/RyiNG.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/RyiNG.jpg" alt="creation image"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-21T15:16:07.233Z
2017-08-21T15:16:07.233Z
fred_dot_u
<p>I did a Google search which led me to a Pinterest page called "<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Nivifer/jewelry-cold-connections-clasps-bails-lockets-hing/?lp=true" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Jewelry : cold connections : clasps, bails, lockets, hinges, rivets</a>." Looking at the pictures led me to some potential search terms and other ideas.  </p>

<p>I was looking for a hook and eye type clasp, but there were no pictures of the exact concept I was thinking of--but it would be a riff on this type of clasp: 
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/0T9ky.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/0T9ky.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a> </p>

<p>I found this image labeled "latch backing."</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ndH0w.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ndH0w.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a> </p>

<p>But I would guess that you will have the most luck searching for a "figure eight safety clasp," or "safety clasp."</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/FtYe9.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/FtYe9.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Although this is an illustration of a faulty clasp, it does a pretty good job of showing how this type of clasp should work:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/giyax.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/giyax.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>My recommendation is to see if you can find a bead store that offers jewelry classes somewhere near you.  If you take some of these pictures in to show them, they can either help you identify a clasp that will work, or they might be able to point you to someone who does metal work that can make something for you.  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-21T20:13:27.320Z
A "figure 8 safety clasp" is exactly what I was looking for, thank you! Now if I can just find one that isn't made of silver or gold... definitely don't need anything that fancy or expensive.
Ken Bellows
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-21T19:36:17.133Z
2017-08-21T19:36:17.133Z
magerber
<p>I'm making a wooden locket, and I've got everything together, two halves hinges and everything, but I can't for the life of me find anything about what sort of clasp I should use to close the halves.</p>

<p>Anything I search about jewelry clasps, regardless of whether I include the word "locket", only ever returns info about bracelet and necklace clasps. I'm assuming the word "clasp" is probably incorrect in this context, but I don't know the right term to use; searching with "closure" instead seems to yeild similar results.</p>

<p>Any hints? One thing I should mention is that plain magnets embedded in the halves are a no go for my locket; I'm really looking for a clip or clasp to attach to the side opposite the hinge.</p>

<terminology><jewelry>
What clasps are used for closing lockets?
Ken Bellows
# What clasps are used for closing lockets?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-21)

I'm making a wooden locket, and I've got everything together, two halves hinges and everything, but I can't for the life of me find anything about what sort of clasp I should use to close the halves.

Anything I search about jewelry clasps, regardless of whether I include the word "locket", only ever returns info about bracelet and necklace clasps. I'm assuming the word "clasp" is probably incorrect in this context, but I don't know the right term to use; searching with "closure" instead seems to yeild similar results.

Any hints? One thing I should mention is that plain magnets embedded in the halves are a no go for my locket; I'm really looking for a clip or clasp to attach to the side opposite the hinge.

**Tags:** terminology, jewelry


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-08-21. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

I did a Google search which led me to a Pinterest page called "[Jewelry : cold connections : clasps, bails, lockets, hinges, rivets](https://www.pinterest.com/Nivifer/jewelry-cold-connections-clasps-bails-lockets-hing/?lp=true)." Looking at the pictures led me to some potential search terms and other ideas.

I was looking for a hook and eye type clasp, but there were no pictures of the exact concept I was thinking of--but it would be a riff on this type of clasp:
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/0T9ky.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/0T9ky.jpg)

I found this image labeled "latch backing."

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ndH0w.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ndH0w.jpg)

But I would guess that you will have the most luck searching for a "figure eight safety clasp," or "safety clasp."

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/FtYe9.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/FtYe9.jpg)

Although this is an illustration of a faulty clasp, it does a pretty good job of showing how this type of clasp should work:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/giyax.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/giyax.jpg)

My recommendation is to see if you can find a bead store that offers jewelry classes somewhere near you. If you take some of these pictures in to show them, they can either help you identify a clasp that will work, or they might be able to point you to someone who does metal work that can make something for you.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: A "figure 8 safety clasp" is exactly what I was looking for, thank you! Now if I can just find one that isn't made of silver or gold... definitely don't need anything that fancy or expensive.  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-21. Score: 4

I know what you mean about terminology being the key. My quick pop of research shows me that you might want to use "friction clasp" as the search terms, especially as a number of sites which return from this have direct reference to locket construction.

The publisher of [this page](http://createjewelry.gr/blog/single/working_on_the_heart_locket) attempted a friction clasp closure for the locket and was not happy/successful in the result and created an alternative, which may also suit your purposes.

[![Rejected friction clasp image](https://i.sstatic.net/9SgH7.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/9SgH7.jpg)

The selected solution is shown below:

[![selected friction clasp image](https://i.sstatic.net/NgIBf.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/NgIBf.jpg)

One can see the pin was removed from the first attempt and the hole was not filled in. I believe one can still refer to the solution as a friction clasp, from a mechanical standpoint.

[Another site](https://www.ganoksin.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-locket/) goes into great detail regarding making a locket including the creation of a friction clasp, which appears some distance down the page. It appears that the process results in the rejected design of the first page I've listed, yet I suppose it's personal taste and ability split down the middle:

[![creation image](https://i.sstatic.net/RyiNG.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/RyiNG.jpg)


---

