Bracelet lock

Unlike neck jewelry, bracelets are constantly exposed to various adverse factors. Human anatomy is designed so that the hands are never static, and their movements are sometimes unpredictable. As a result, a bracelet can wear out, cling to something, its material is constantly in contact with various substances that are part of creams, makeup products and perfume products. All this requires careful selection of jewelry, compliance with its technical characteristics of the intended situation.

There are many types of bracelets, and many of them are solid or woven structures that do not need clasps. However, the anatomically wrist is much narrower than the palm through which such bracelets have to be worn, therefore they are made wider. Because of this, such decorations do not fit snugly to the hand, but loosely hang on it.

However, this situation does not always correspond to the style of the image, which should complement this accessory. And here come to the aid of bracelets, tight to the hand due to the fact that they have a special lock. It allows you to wear jewelry directly on the wrist, without touching the hand and other parts of the hands. In addition, there are special bracelets designed for the forearm, which are especially popular in eastern countries.

There are many types of locks for the bracelet. It is a hook, carbines of various shapes, toggle, box, screw, with a key and many others.

Hook - one of the most ancient options lock. However, it is also the most unreliable. This type of clasp is good for pendants around the neck, but not for bracelets - there is a great risk that the hook will be released from the loop in the process of wearing.

The most popular type of castle today is the carbine. In jewelry stores you can find a huge number of varieties of these accessories for every taste. Most often for bracelets used carbine lobster (or carbine crab). This name he received because of its shape, which, when viewed from the side, resembles the claws of crustaceans.

Another popular lock is the carbine hook. It is a cross between a hook and a lobster. As a rule, it is a loop in which one working end fits snugly to the other and departs when it is pressed. Such a lock can be reliable only if it is made of durable material, and the working ends fit tightly to each other. Otherwise, the sock of such a bracelet is fraught with its loss.

Recently, the popularity of gaining another lock, known since ancient times - toggle (togl, "fastener on a crutch"). It represents a loop and a pin, which is passed through this loop in a vertical position and, turning over in horizontal line, clings to the edges of the loop, thereby not jumping out through it. As a rule, such a lock is made by injection molding and can have the most bizarre forms. However, whatever it was, without fail, the pin should be made so long that its spontaneous falling out of the loop becomes impossible. In this case, the toggle will become a worthy alternative to the lobster carabiner, since, unlike the latter, it is very easy to fasten it with one hand.

Locks-boxesAs a rule, they are rather complex structures. This is a box that consists of a latch and springs. They are designed to hold the hook or plate, which are attached to the other end of the chain and inserted into the box.Sometimes these locks are provided with an additional fuse - a loop is attached to one part, and a hinge with a ball on which the loop is put on the other when the main part of the lock is closed. Locks-boxes are often decorated with additional patterns, stones, filigree, etc.

Until recently, a screw lock was popular. However, it is being used less and less now, since it is impossible to wear it constantly without a loop guard - sooner or later the lock unwinds, which is why the decoration can be lost.

As an alternative, recently appeared magnetic lockswhich look like screw screws, but their thread is replaced by two magnets.

Materials for the manufacture of locks are used very different. Most often they correspond to the material of the bracelet so that the lock does not stand out from the overall composition. Additional complexity for the designer arises from the fact that the bracelet is constantly in sight, unlike, for example, a necklace or pendant. Therefore, it should be made as carefully as possible.

On the other hand, this situation allows you to turn the lock from a simple functional element into an additional decoration. And in some cases, the buckle is turned into the central element of the entire bracelet. However, it can be decorated with additional decorative materials - stones, rhinestones, etc.

Regardless of the design and appearance, the clasp for the bracelet should be made of durable material that will allow you to use it as long as possible despite constant loads. Most often, various metals are taken for this, since plastic and glass, moreover, are too fragile materials. Hook-on carabiners are, as a rule, aluminum-based alloys, as they provide the necessary flexibility and durability. In other cases, they use precious metals or solid jewelry alloys.

It is believed that the most reliable version of the clasp is the "lobster". If the design is made with high quality, then the risk that the bracelet is unfastened is minimal. However, when buying such an ornament, check the functionality of the lock - the lever should be easily pressed, move away to the distance necessary to thread the lock ring and fit snugly to the carbine loop.

It so happens that the lever falls off, and then the bracelet must be returned for repair. Another significant disadvantage of this fastener is that if the lever is not very well made and is pressed too tightly, using it can damage the nail covering. In addition, such clasps can be inconvenient to fasten on themselves independently. Especially if the bracelet itself is very tight to the hand.

More information about the types of locks for bracelets - in the following video: