HISTORY AND TIPS FOR METAL ACCESSORIES AND JEWELRY PARTS

Immerse yourself in the vast selection of clasps, end caps, brooch bases and pendants, ring bases, connecting elements, stoppers, metal tubes, metal caps, earring parts, and many other jewelry parts at affordable prices from EM ART. Easily acquire your materials to carry out your creative ideas, and we at EM ART will help you with a few lines of useful information about your items.

Hold Tight! Or how to choose the right clasp for our handmade jewelry?

There is much wisdom in the saying "Small stones overturn the cart," and surely many of you have already realized this from your own experience. In jewelry design and making, the details are especially important, so let’s pay special attention to them, starting with one of the most important - the clasps.

One of the most important things and one of those we most often overlook when planning the design of our necklace or bracelet is the clasp. When choosing it, we will have to consider not only the design of our jewelry and how it fits into it but also some other factors that will make our creation not only effective but also durable and wearable.

What clasp to choose according to the weight of the jewelry?

Of key importance is the load capacity of the clasp you choose, i.e., what is the maximum weight the clasp can withstand without opening or deforming. Generally, this is not information that manufacturers or merchants explicitly state, nor is anyone likely to conduct special tests on the clasps. It would be useful to know which types of clasps you can load with your heaviest models and which should be treated more delicately.

Omega Lever Clasp

This type of clasp belongs to the more delicate types. It is a broken hollow metal ring equipped with a small lever that locks the opening and prevents the ring, which represents the other part of the clasp, from slipping out. They are most commonly found in very small sizes and are quite fine, with a low load capacity - suitable mainly for thinner chains and light necklaces. Larger sizes can accommodate larger beads, but overall they are not as widespread. They are rarely offered in different shapes.

Lobster Clasp

This type of clasp works on a similar principle (called a lobster claw or parrot because when the movable part is open, it resembles a parrot’s beak). Unlike the previous type, its mechanism allows for a variety of shapes - hearts, flowers, and even animals. It can withstand more weight than the omega clasp but, like it, is usually produced and offered in small sizes, suitable for finer and lighter jewelry. Besides geometric shapes, clasps are also available in the form of flowers and animals.

Box Clasp

The box clasp consists of a narrow metal box and a metal plate folded in two. When you insert the plate into the box, it straightens and closes the clasp. It is offered in various shapes and with different ornaments but is not suitable for very heavy necklaces. A variation is the "fisherman’s hook" box clasp, where instead of a folded plate, the plate is cut in the shape of a hook that hooks into a hole(s) in the box wall. Although it can theoretically bear considerable weight, these clasps are usually made small and fine, reducing their load capacity.

Flip Clasp

Flip clasp - these are clasps like those on watches. They can withstand quite a bit of weight but are not convenient for all models, especially necklaces. They come with various decorative ornaments but are not widely used and not available everywhere.

Magnetic Clasp

Magnetic clasps come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and modifications, but the classic magnetic clasp consists of a split metal bead with magnets embedded in both parts. The load capacity depends on the strength of the magnets, but it is usually quite high.

Screw Clasp

Usually very delicate and fine, but very stable and can bear a lot of weight. Unfortunately, over time, the thread wears out, and they become less secure.

Hook Clasp

Hook clasp - its mechanism is simple - a hook threaded through a ring or figure-eight, but this clasp can bear a lot of weight and can be made in various decorative models. This category includes "toggle" clasps.

S-shaped Clasp

S-shaped clasp. Shaped like the letter S (sometimes with a bit more imagination) and fastens/unfastens from both sides. Thanks to physics, it is very strong and secure. It is usually also of considerable size, making it suitable for large, heavy beads visually.

Pin Clasp

This clasp type consists of a ring and a pin, and thanks to physics, it can bear a lot of weight without damage or unfastening. It exists in various shapes and decorations.

Slider Clasp

Perhaps the most robust and stable solution is slider clasps. They consist of two tubes with a very slight difference in diameter, allowing one to slide into the other.

You should match your clasp choice with the appropriate rings (if not included in the set) and a small element we often overlook in haste - wire protectors. These are fine metal loops placed around the strand used for stringing or weaving and the clasp ring to limit friction and extend the model’s life. Instead of protectors, you can use French wire - a fine wire spiral, a small piece of which is strung on the strand to protect it from rubbing against the clasp.

Remember that when using a stringing material other than thread or wire (ribbon, textile, or leather cord), you should either use special clasps for these materials or attach special end caps.

Facts from the history of earrings

Jewelry has an ancient millennia-old history, and earrings are among the oldest signs of human desire to change their appearance. Traces of earring wearing have been found on the ears of some of the oldest ancient Egyptian mummies. Historically, it was men who first had the right to wear earrings. In Ancient Rome, the amount of gold men were allowed to wear on their ears was regulated by law.

In the 1950s, earrings lost their popularity, and women who still had pierced ears were ridiculed by social communities. Even today, earrings are a fundamental element in almost every ritual in India. There, children receive their first earrings during specially performed ceremonies and rites. The main thing to consider when choosing materials for making a pair of earrings is the comfort of the person who will wear them. Not only the beauty of the jewelry matters but also its structure, which should not hinder but create a sense of comfort and aesthetic style.

The path of the chain

Another interesting metal accessory is our offer of chains from EM ART. Do you know the history of the chain? Dive into the information provided by us and create unique jewelry to delight your loved ones. Almost everyone has at least one chain. You probably haven’t thought about when, how, or why these adornments were created and gained popularity. In the following lines, we will look at their history.

Long ago, people first started making jewelry from gold. It was much more common than other metals. Because of this, although strange to us, other metals were much more valuable than gold. Their extraction from chemical elements was more difficult, leading to higher costs. It is believed that the first silver was obtained from melting gold ore.

In Greek historical sources, silver remains under the name "electrum." In antiquity, silver was attributed with magical qualities. Ancient astrologers believed that the noble metal came from the Moon, as it possessed the same shine and charm. Over time, humanity began to develop mining and chemistry. During this period, the purer extraction of silver from ores began, and consequently, the making of silver jewelry, especially chains.

Initially, chains and necklaces were made from wire. Who, when, and why decided to make chains from other metals is unclear. Rock paintings testify that people were interested in adornments and jewelry even in prehistoric times. The first chains were leather cords or bone necklaces. Later, they were replaced by wire-made necklaces.

Soon after, chains began to be made from copper, gold, and silver. Metals replaced leather and bones due to their durability. Thanks to it, chains could be passed down as inheritance. An interesting fact is that initially, the chain was not considered an independent piece of jewelry. Wearing it implied having a pendant or medallion. With the advent of the 20th century, the silver chain earned its place among all other jewelry. This was aided by the development of the jewelry craft. New and interesting weaves for making chains began to emerge. Until then, there were only about 3-4 models.

Today, chains are available in various sizes and combinations with stones, leather, or wooden elements. People are grateful for the development of jewelry production. Hardly anyone would want to wear a bone necklace in the 21st century.

Necessary metal accessories and parts for making jewelry

Metal accessories and jewelry parts from EM ART are the most loyal assistants to creators. The vast variety of metal accessories and jewelry parts reach you thanks to the rich selection in our stores. For their manufacture, designers use all kinds of metals – silver, brass, copper, and minerals like quartz, amethyst, etc. Some even venture into the boundless world of bolder and more extravagant ideas with acrylic, glass beads, fabric, and organic materials like wood, shells, hemp, paper, and more.

What characterizes good handmade jewelry masters is that they not only have imagination and carry the magic of talent in their minds and hearts but also possess excellent knowledge of the motifs and ornaments of every human civilization, embedded in its jewelry art. This is precisely where the light touch of culture and ethnic flavor in jewelry comes from.

The strength of designers lies in their creativity. And creativity is something extremely simple - just like Columbus’s egg. Have you heard the story of Columbus’s egg? Shortly after making his great discoveries, he gathered all the Spanish nobles for dinner, who, at one point, began to belittle his achievements. They claimed that anyone with the same knowledge of literature and geography could achieve the same success. Then Columbus took an egg and challenged them, stating that none of them could stand it upright on the table without using any other means. And after all attempts, of course, ended in failure, the irritated aristocrats asked Columbus to do it himself. Without hesitation, he gently hit the egg on the table surface, and due to the slight crack, it stood upright. "Anyone can do that!" – the leading men of Spain exclaimed. And Columbus replied, "Indeed, anyone can, but the important thing is to think of it!"

It is precisely in this last sentence that lies the essence of the creativity of handmade jewelry masters. Thanks to their goal of continuously improving, learning throughout their lives, and always seeking the new, interesting, and unknown, we today have access to a variety of temptations and incredible beauties. Every woman will find herself in their work - she just needs to open her soul and recognize herself in the abundance of beauty.

Handmade and creatively crafted jewelry is the easiest way to be unique. They are the part of our appearance, personality, and soul that makes us unparalleled. They are a wonderful accessory that can turn even our simplest look into something extraordinary.

The idea of a woman’s uniqueness stretches from antiquity to our time... and will remain in eternity. From Cleopatra to the modern - Iron Lady of Vogue, Anna Wintour - the guru of today’s fashion, who says: "Create your own style. Be unique for yourself and unparalleled for others." This is precisely the secret of feminine beauty.