Findings
Definition
The functional metal components used in jewelry assembly: clasps, jump rings, ear wires, pin stems, bail loops, crimps, and other hardware that connects, closes, or finishes a piece.
Findings are the hardware that makes jewelry actually work. Without them, you have loose stones and metal wire. With the wrong ones, a $2,000 necklace fails at a $0.40 clasp. Clasps come in dozens of styles. Lobster claws dominate necklaces and bracelets. Spring rings are lighter and cheaper. Toggle clasps add design flair. Box clasps with safety latches show up on higher-end pieces. Magnetic clasps work for people with dexterity issues, though I steer clients away from them for anything over $500. Jump rings connect components. Ear wires, posts, lever-backs, and clip-ons finish earrings. Bails link pendants to chains. Pin backs and catches hold brooches. Crimp beads lock beading wire in place. Head pins and eye pins thread through beads in stringing work. Materials run from 14k and 18k gold to sterling silver, platinum, brass, and stainless steel. Match the finding metal to the piece. A 14k chain with a plated brass clasp will tarnish and break first. Bulk pricing from trade suppliers like Stuller, Rio Grande, and Hoover & Strong runs pennies to a few dollars per piece. A 14k lobster claw in bulk costs $8-$15. The same finding at retail in a craft store runs $3-$8 for silver plate. Pin backs in 14k gold run $12-$25 each wholesale. Spring rings in 14k are $4-$10 depending on size. Where to source depends on volume. Bench jewelers order from Stuller or Rio Grande with trade accounts. Hobbyists buy from Fire Mountain Gems or local bead shops at higher per-unit prices. One thing I've learned after years at the bench: always upgrade the clasp on any piece you sell above $300. Customers remember the failure point, and it's never the stone.
Usage in the Trade
Findings are used in the assembly of all types of jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and brooches. Jewelers stock findings in various metals and sizes for production and repair work.
Examples
A 14k gold lobster claw clasp (9mm) costs about $12 wholesale from Stuller. The same clasp retails at a craft store for $18-$25 in sterling silver and $45-$65 in 14k gold.
A production jeweler ordering 500 sterling silver jump rings (5mm, 20 gauge) pays roughly $0.08 each in bulk. A hobbyist buying a pack of 50 at a bead shop pays $0.35-$0.50 per ring.
Frequently asked questions
What are findings in jewelry making?
Findings are the functional metal parts used to assemble and finish jewelry: clasps, jump rings, ear wires, bails, pin backs, crimp beads, and head pins. They connect, close, and secure the piece so it can actually be worn.
Where do jewelers buy findings?
Trade suppliers Stuller, Rio Grande, and Hoover & Strong dominate the professional market with wholesale pricing and trade accounts. Hobbyists and small makers often buy from Fire Mountain Gems, Halstead, or local bead shops at higher per-unit prices.
Do findings need to match the metal of the piece?
Yes, always match or exceed the metal quality of the main piece. A 14k chain with a plated brass clasp will corrode and fail at the weakest link. For pieces over $300, upgrade to solid gold or silver findings even if it adds $10-$20 to your cost.