Lobster Clasp vs Magnetic Clasp: GRIFFIN's Guide for Jewellery Makers

The clasp is the last detail added to a piece and the first thing a wearer interacts with every time they put it on. Get it right and wearing the piece becomes effortless; get it wrong and it becomes a daily small frustration. GRIFFIN’s clasp range covers every application from fine pearl necklaces to multi-strand bracelets, all made in 925 sterling silver or 24K gold plating to the same quality standards the brand has maintained since 1866. Here’s a clear breakdown of the main types of jewelry clasps and exactly when to reach for each.

The Lobster Clasp: Most Popular for a Reason

The lobster clasp is the most widely used clasp in contemporary jewellery making, and that popularity has earned its place. The spring-loaded mechanism provides reliable one-handed operation that prevents accidental opening: squeeze the lever, thread through a jump ring, release. The clasp locks automatically, with no alignment needed and no fiddling required to close securely.

This jewelry fastener has a larger, more accessible lever that’s considerably easier to work than a spring ring. That practical advantage makes it the go-to choice across a wide range of jewellery types and wearers.

GRIFFIN Lobster Clasps are available in three shapes:

Shape 1 with open jump ring: The classic streamlined profile, supplied with an open jump ring attached. Flexible connection to various cord or wire termination methods.

Shape 2 with closed eye: Supplied with a soldered, permanently closed eye rather than an open jump ring. This creates a secure, maintenance-free connection point that can’t open unintentionally. The preferred choice for high-security and professional work.

Shape 3 Slim with open jump ring: An elegant, slender profile for delicate designs where a standard lobster clasp would look heavy relative to the piece. Supplied with an open jump ring.

GRIFFIN Lobster Clasp: 925 Sterling Silver and 24K Gold Plated Options

GRIFFIN Lobster Clasps come in both 925 sterling silver and 24K gold plated finishes. All three shapes are available in both materials, across four sizes: 9.0mm, 11.0mm, 13.0mm and 16.0mm.

• 9.0mm: For delicate chains, fine cord designs and lightweight pendants

• 11.0mm: The standard general-purpose size, appropriate for most necklace and bracelet applications

• 13.0mm: Larger profile for heavier designs and cord jewellery where a more substantial clasp makes sense

• 16.0mm: For statement pieces, chunky bead strands and designs where the clasp is a visible, intentional element

Lobster clasps are typically fastened using GRIFFIN Stainless Steel Jewelry Wire, a flexible, nylon-coated twisted steel wire that comes in 19 or 49 strand options, giving you just the right balance of strength and drape for the piece you’re building.

Magnetic Clasps: Convenience vs Security

Magnetic clasps offer a fundamentally different interaction to spring-loaded ones. Instead of manually working a mechanism, you simply bring both halves near each other - the internal magnets draw them together and lock them into a secure unit.

That makes magnetic clasps genuinely useful in specific situations, particularly for wearers who find traditional clasps difficult due to reduced hand strength or dexterity. The ease of single-handed operation is a real functional benefit.

A few practical limitations are worth knowing:

• Magnetic clasps aren’t recommended for pieces worn near pacemakers or other implanted medical devices

• They shouldn’t be used for pieces worn while handling strongly magnetic materials

• For heavy bead strands, check that the magnet strength is appropriate for the total weight of the piece

Used in the right context, magnetic clasps are an elegant, low-effort solution that many wearers genuinely prefer for everyday jewellery.

GRIFFIN Magnetic Ball Clasp: When It Is the Right Choice

GRIFFIN Magnetic Ball Clasps have two powerful internal magnets concealed behind permanent, polished covers. The two halves join under magnetic attraction to form a single, cohesive unit - elegant in appearance and effortless in use.

Opening the clasp requires manually sliding both sides apart rather than simply pulling, which provides a meaningful security advantage over basic magnetic clasps that can separate under tension. This slide-to-open mechanism is what GRIFFIN calls its sophisticated slide lock technology.

Available in 925 sterling silver and 24K gold plated, in four sizes:

• 8.0mm diameter: Fine and delicate; suits lightweight freshwater pearl strands and thin cord designs

• 10.0mm diameter: The standard versatile size; appropriate for most pearl necklaces and medium-weight gemstone strands

• 12.0mm diameter: Larger profile for heavier pieces; provides stronger magnetic hold appropriate for the increased bead load

• 15.0mm diameter: Statement size for substantial multi-bead designs where a visually present clasp is fitting

GRIFFIN Magnetic Ball Clasps suit traditional pearl necklaces particularly well, where their round, bead-like profile complements the strand aesthetically and their ease of operation is appreciated by wearers who use the piece regularly.

GRIFFIN 925 Sterling Silver: Material Quality and Skin Compatibility

All metal GRIFFIN clasps and findings in the silver range are made in 925 sterling silver - an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% supplementary metal. 925 sterling silver is the recognised professional standard for fine jewellery findings, and it’s significantly less reactive with skin than base metal or silver-plated alternatives. It’s generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

If a client has a documented sensitivity to specific metals, that should be assessed individually. GRIFFIN’s product range doesn’t include specific hypoallergenic or nickel-free claims on product pages, so if that’s a firm requirement for a commission, it’s worth confirming directly with GRIFFIN or your stockist.

The 24K gold plated range provides a 7-micron gold coating over a base, delivering the warmth and lustre of gold with practical durability for everyday jewellery use.

Choosing the Right GRIFFIN Clasp for Bead Cord vs Jewelry Wire

The stringing material affects which clasp termination method works best:

Bead cord (silk, NylonPower, High Performance): Cord is typically finished with a knot at the clasp loop, optionally secured with GRIFFIN Bead Cord Glue, or by using a clamshell bead tip or squeeze capsule for a neat, concealed termination. For cord-strung pieces, lobster clasps with open jump rings and magnetic ball clasps are both appropriate - the jump ring or loop provides the attachment point for a knotted cord end.

Jewelry Wire (19-strand or 49-strand): Wire-strung pieces are finished with a crimp bead or crimp tube compressed at the clasp loop. The clasp needs a closed loop or open jump ring to receive the doubled wire. Lobster clasps with closed eyes are particularly clean for this application - the closed eye provides a permanent, tidy attachment point. Spring rings and lobster clasps with open jump rings also work well when the jump ring is properly closed after attachment.

The GRIFFIN clasp range has been developed to work alongside the full GRIFFIN stringing material portfolio. When in doubt, match the clasp weight and size to the weight and character of the strand. A fine freshwater pearl necklace knotted with Natural Silk calls for a very different clasp than a multi-strand garnet bracelet on 49-strand Jewelry Wire.

The table below summarises the confirmed GRIFFIN clasp range for reference:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most secure GRIFFIN clasp for a heavy gemstone necklace?

For heavy strands, a lobster clasp with closed eye gives maximum security - the attachment point can’t open accidentally. The 13mm or 16mm sizes provide appropriate scale and holding strength for heavier designs.

What is the difference between GRIFFIN Snap-Lock Ball and Snap-Lock Olive clasps?

Both use the same mechanical snap-lock system. The Ball clasp has a round profile (6mm diameter) while the Olive has an elongated oval form (6mm diameter, 10mm length). The Olive tends to be preferred for pearl jewellery, where its tapered shape echoes the form of the beads. Both are available in 925 sterling silver.

Does GRIFFIN offer clasps for multi-strand jewellery?

Yes. GRIFFIN Slide Lock Clasps are designed specifically for two, three and four-strand pieces. The twin cylinder construction slides together to close and separates gently to open. Available in 925 sterling silver and 24K gold plated in all three row configurations.

Can I use GRIFFIN spring rings with bead cord?

Yes. Spring rings attach to the jump ring or loop at the cord termination point in the same way as a lobster clasp. The 6mm to 8mm sizes are most practical for general bead cord work.