This is the final stage for all styles of necklace and bracelet. Generally, we suggest the easiest and most versatile clasps to use are small trigger(or spring) clasps. These are either bolt rings(top left), simple light round spring clasps, or Carabiners(middle left) slightly larger heavier clasps also called lobster claws, a good choice for bigger beads and more formal styles. You will join the clasp using jump rings, metal rings with a break in the metal, which can be opened(bottom left).

Your jewellery design should have a type of finished end, a wire loop, or a necklace fitting with  a small ring. To join this to a clasp, we recommend using oval jump rings, which tend to be stronger and less lilkely to pull apart, as their is adding strength along the lateral axis.

So start by taking a jump ring, and gripping one end with pliers.  With your other hand, twist the ring open in a sideways fashion. Only open the ring a small amount, then it will be much easier to close. Also by twisting sideways, you are less likely to distort the ring out of shape.

Thread on the ring of the clasp onto this opened ring. Then thread on the necklace fitiing or loop.  Keeping the jump ring gripped in the pliers, twist it shut  with your other hand. You might see a small gap in the ring even after doing this. To improve this, grip the closed jump ring from the side, using the pliers, at the point of the gap. Squeeze hard, this his the effect of "fusing " the metal and closing the gap.

Now to make a ring for the clasp to go into, add a jump ring to the other end of the necklace or bracelet in the same way. For finished assembly, see main picture. You might wish to add a small length of extender chain at this stage to give a variable length to your jewellery design.