Jewelry repair question for anyone who can help me

Anonymous

Several years ago, my DH brought me a sterling silver choker from Jordan. It is the most beautiful, unique piece of jewelry I've ever seen. It has carved doves and other detail work on it, and I simply love it. The problem is that it has a box clasp (see link below if you don't know what a box clasp is) that keeps coming undone. I don't wear the necklace nearly as much as I'd like to because I'm afraid I'll lose it. It has fallen off several times. My question: Is there a way to either repair/replace the clasp or have a jeweler add a little chain to the back of the necklace with a lobster or spring ring clasp so that if the box clasp fails, the necklace won't fall off my neck? My pearl necklace has such a chain on it, but I don't know if this is something that a jeweler could easily do to a choker necklace. Alternately, is there a way to tighten the box clasp so it will work properly?

http://jewelry.about.com/od/je.....asps_3.htm

13 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Mochi

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Adding the chain shoud be easy, but I'm not sure about tightening the clasp.

13 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I definitely think a jeweler could replace the box clasp. Have you taken the necklace to one and asked? I'm not a fan of box clasps either, but one way I've managed to tighten the box clasp is the bend the little tab piece that goes into the box so that is not quite so flat (it makes a wider triangle, if that makes sense). But I think it will eventually flatten out again over time. It's probably best to replace the clasp with something different, like a lobster claw or hidden clasp.

13 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Can you post a photo of the clasp on your necklace?

13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

The clasp can be replaced fairly easily. You could look for a nice bead store in your town as they often do jewelry repairs at a lower price than a jewelry store. I just had beads restrung at $2 an inch compared to $5 an inch at my favorite jeweler (and I trusted both places).

13 years ago

Anonymous

I don't have a camera, so can't post a pic. The necklace is sterling silver, and is about 1/2 inch or so wide. It's flat so that it lays flat against my throat, if that makes sense. That's probably why they used a box clasp. I'm thinking of taking it to a jeweler, as this necklace is very special to me and is definitely a "statement piece," but I also want some YLF opinions. I'm not a fan of box clasps, and wonder who the genious was who invented them. Still, the box clasp on my pearl necklace has continued to work well for decades. Maybe I can get the box clasp on the choker replaced AND have the jeweler add the chain and ring clasp. ???

13 years ago

Anonymous

I hand some costume jewelry that I really liked fixed at the jeweler. He didn't bat an eye that it wasn't real and fixed the links, I was pleased I did it...give it a try

13 years ago

AlteratnsNeeded

(website)

Active Member

Changing the clasp should be completely possible to do. What may complicate it is if the box clasp is soldered onto the necklace versus attached with an o-ring. Switching out a clasp that's attached with an o-ring is very simple and quick to do. If it's soldered on, the clasp will have to be clipped off and a new clasp soldered back on. Either way, a jeweler should be able to handle it just fine.

13 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Go to a local jeweler and have him or her solder on some sterling silver end caps/tabs - these work with flat style chains. A sterling lobster clasp can then be added through one of the end tabs, and you could probably even add an extension chain so that you can adjust the length of the necklace (not needed, just a 'nice to have' if you wanted to be able to wear the necklace at different lengths and with more styles of tops/dresses).

Here's a couple of photos of silver end caps/tabs (shown below in pic #1 and pic #2).

Here's a whole screen full of them:

http://www.riogrande.com/Categ.....r-Bars/494

I would take the chain/necklace to a jeweler and ask them about changing out the clasp. I wouldn't recommend doing this yourself, because if the chain is flat, then you'll want an end tab/end cap soldered onto the chain - it's not like you can just use some pliers and loop a lobster clasp onto a flat chain, if I'm reading your post correctly about the style of necklace. Sounds like something like photo #1 might work, but your jeweller will need to order the correct size for you depending on the width of your chain, and you will want it professionally soldered. As you can see, there are little round rings at the end of the end caps through which a lobster clasp can be added. This is going to be a lot easier to put on (and stay on!) than fussing with a box clasp.

Good luck!

---> editing to add/ask: are there any links at all at the end of your necklace? If so, you won't need an end tab/cap - a spring ring or lobster clasp can be added through if there are chain-like links at the end of your necklace. If it's a flat type of chain, then you'll want one of the end tab style findings attached to make way for a lobster or other clasp.

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13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

What Ana said, re tightening the clasp, or just use the flat edge of a screwdriver to 'open' the jaws of the clasp a little, so that the push up more against the box.

Alternatively you can get a jeweler to remove the clasp and just add an S-clasp and O-ring, which lie nice and flat against the neck too. Just make sure the S is wide-ish if the necklace is chunky. (It's the easiest clasp to fix at home too, as a bonus!)

13 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks. I'll have to look at my necklace and check. I haven't worn it in a while and honestly don't remember how that box clasp is attached.

13 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

I'd prefer to see a pic of your necklace, but still replacing the box clasp should absolutely be doable.

13 years ago

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