How can you tell a Finding from a Component?

July 5th, 2009 in jewelry making

JaniceParsons, member

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Its a bow clasp that really crosses the line between a finding and a component! I use this with my wedding designs because its so romantic; especially the metaphor of tying the knot. To open and close it, the wings fold like a butterfly. This just means when you design with it, you have to add a bit extra length to allow for the recipient to have space to get it on and off.

This exquisite multi-strand clasp and its spacer bar, which is a component. This paring makes any design look like a million dollars. Its only if someone tells you that its a copy, do you know the truth, otherwise it looks like an antique. This is a keeper!
Design Hint: The size of the beads you string should match up with the spacing of the holes in the spacer bar. If you want to use larger beads, you may have to skip some of the holes and have less strands. Another option is to taper down bead sizes next to the holes and get larger on the other side. I prefer using a metal bead that matches my spacer bar metal for the tapering. It seems to be less noticeable to me.

It's a bow clasp that really crosses the line between a finding and a component! I use this with my wedding designs because it's so romantic; especially the metaphor of "tying the knot". To open and close it, the wings fold like a butterfly. This just means when you design with it, you have to add a bit extra length to allow for the recipient to have space to get it on and off.

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Until the proliferation of websites, most of the people in the bead trade used the term Findings, an old term from the early days of jewelry manufacturing in Providence, RI. But, now the word, Component, has become popular an I thought I would try and find the difference. What do you think?...

Many bead sellers and authors use Findings and/or Components interchangeably when referring to everything from clasps to coins. There are times when a component is not a finding. What is the difference?

“Findings” seems like a funny word, but it has a long history in the jewelry trade. The dictionary states it is a “small article or tool used in making garments, shoes or jewelry.” The important word is making. It is called a finding if it is essential to making your jewelry function. A clasp is a device that makes a strand of beads open and close so it can worn as a necklace. An ear wire turns a dangle into an earring when the two are attached. So, both clasps and ear wires are definitely findings.

Ready to get confused? The dictionary defines “Component” as “constituting part of a larger whole.” A clasp is a part of the larger whole BUT didn’t we just say it’s a Finding? It’s actually both! However, not all components are findings. Charms, pendants and coins are components but they don’t have a job to do, like the clasp does. They are design elements which fall under the umbrella of component.

Think of Components as all the parts of a dress- the fabric, the thread, the zipper and the belt. The zipper, the buckle on the belt, the metal rivets for the belt buckle are the findings; the rest are not. Within the components category you have findings, but not all components are findings! I hope this helps!

Janice Parsons

www.beadshop.com

also on etsy: www.beadshopboutique@etsy.com

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