How To End a Necklace With a Lobster Claw

Finish off your beaded creation with a lobster claw clasp.

After you create a beaded necklace, attach jewelry findings (pieces used to connect the components of a piece of jewelry) that allow you to put on the necklace and take it off. The lobster claw finding is an elongated oval with a spring inside that forces the arm to stay shut, making it easier for you to keep the necklace around your neck where it belongs. To attach a lobster claw clasp to one end of the necklace, you must be able to work with small jewelry findings and jeweler’s needle-nose pliers.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tube-shaped crimp beads
• Glue
• Needle-nose jewelry pliers
• 2 jump rings
• Lobster claw finding

Instructions

1. Slip a crimp bead on one end of the necklace, going down the beading wire or cord about 1 1/2 inches.

2. Squeeze a small amount of glue on the end of wire or cord, then push the end through the crimp bead, creating a loop. Squeeze the crimp bead down, locking the end of cord inside the crimp bead.

3. Open one jump ring by holding it between your thumb and forefinger as you use the needle-nose pliers to grip one end and pull it open enough to slip it in the loop you just created.

4. Slip the opened jump ring into the loop you made. Squeeze the ends shut with the needle-nose pliers.

5. Create a loop with the wire or cord on the other end of the necklace. Secure it with the second crimp bead.

6. Attach the second jump ring. Before closing the ends of the jump ring, slide one end through the hole at the end of the lobster claw. Squeeze both ends shut, using the needle-nose pliers.

Tips & Warnings

• The necklace must be at its correct length before attaching the jump rings and lobster claw clasp.