How to Use a Clam End/Calottes to Attach a Clasp
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Clam ends are also called necklace ends, bead tips and calottes.
Bead Them Up do not use, nor recommend them to finish necklaces and bracelets.
The hook can be easily broken or come undone.
The crimp is not as secure, as it is made to hold 2 strands, not 1 strand of wire.
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Attaching a clam end.
Method:
Step 1. Thread the jewellery wire through the clam end and then a crimp bead; close the crimp with crimping pliers onto the end of the wire.
Step 2. Trim the jewellery wire close to the crimp.
Step 3. Pull the jewellery wire until the crimp bead is in the middle of the clam end and close the clam end with your flat/chain nose pliers.
Step 4. Open the loop of the clam end with round nose pliers and attach to the clasp/jump ring.
Clam ends can also be used to make earrings.
Method:
Step 1. Thread beads onto wire; coloured or plated wire works well with this design.
Step 2. Thread both strands through the clam end and then through a crimp bead; close the crimp with crimping pliers onto the end of the wire.
Step 3. Trim the wire close to the crimp.
Step 4. Pull the wire until the crimp bead is in the middle of clam end and close the clam end with your flat/chain nose pliers.
Step 5. Open the loop of the clam end with round nose pliers and attach to shepard/ear wire.
BE SURE THAT WIRE IS SITTING SIDE BY SIDE IN THE CRIMP TO GET AN EVENLY SHAPED TEARDROP.
Care must be taken that both earrings are the same length; pre-cutting the wire into lengths can help.