Chains, Clasps & Connections: The Unsung Heroes

When people admire a piece of jewelry, it’s usually the stone, the texture, or the overall design that gets the spotlight—but the elements holding it all together? Those are the unsung heroes. Chains, clasps, bails, jump rings… not flashy, but absolutely essential.

At Divella Designs, the materials I use for these connections matter just as much as the focal point. Every chain, clasp, and link is carefully chosen (or made by hand) to complement the piece and keep it secure for years to come.

I work almost exclusively with sterling silver, 14k gold-filled, or copper, depending on the style and tone of the jewelry. For my handmade chains, I also make my own clasps and recently started crafting bails from scratch—which, by the way, is way more challenging than it looks. Tiny parts + torch work = extra coffee.

When I use delicate chain from suppliers, I typically pair it with lobster claw clasps. They’re secure, reliable, and practical for everyday wear. And honestly, it just doesn’t make sense to make those finer chains by hand—the time and effort far outweigh the cost.

I also make all my jump rings in batches and store them in old pill bottles (yes, really). Reduce, reuse, recycle, right? One of the perks of being older than dirt is I’ve got a pretty solid stash of them.

For the few findings I don’t make myself, I turn to Rio Grande Jewelry Supply. They’re consistent, ship quickly, and their packaging is both recyclable and reusable—which is important to me and my studio practices.

So next time you clasp a necklace or admire the drape of a chain, just know—there’s a lot of intention (and a little bit of soldering sweat) behind those humble little components.