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Jewelry Info Center > Jewelry Findings
Jewelry Findings
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 The
definition of jewelry findings is simply “the components,
materials and parts that can be used in making a piece of
jewelry.” This includes every piece that goes into jewelry,
which means that you can buy these jewelry findings to be
able to make the jewelry or to be able to replace any parts
that may have broken and can’t be fixed or have become
lost.
There are three main types of jewelry findings that are important
to know about:
• Decorative findings—this type of jewelry findings
are the components that are there for looks. Any parts of
jewelry that add to the beauty of a piece of jewelry constitute
decorative jewelry findings. If the jewelry has been made
by hand, the decorative parts would be the parts that are
made by the jeweler (whether it is a goldsmith or silversmith).
There are many different ways that jewelry findings can be
decorative, and there are many decorative findings that are
made through production companies, including the following:
Charms/pendants—these are the designs and shapes that
hang from necklaces or bracelets.
Filigrees—these are decorative jewelry findings that
are bent wire that is formed into designs similar to lace
patterns. It can be formed this way (and other designs can
be added to it) by being soldered or stamped.
Festoons—these are pendants that have rings on both
sides so that a chain or other string can be attached to hold
it in place. It is similar to a pendant in the way that it
is often the centerpiece of a necklace.
• Functional findings—these type of jewelry findings
are functional in design, meaning that they serve to accomplish
some sort of mechanical function. They are only meant to serve
that purpose, and the appearance of them is often very unimportant.
There are many different types of these functional jewelry
findings, including the following:
Pin backs—these serve to hold the pin in place and keep
it from poking through to the skin.
Posts—these are the parts of the jewelry that meet up
with the pin backs and screw backs. A post on an earring or
a pin is a good example of this type of jewelry finding.
Catches—these are meant to attach one end of a piece
of jewelry to another, such as two necklace ends.
Screw backs—these are a type of back that consists of
a nut or clutch that actually screws onto the threaded post.
• Hybrid findings—these jewelry findings are
a cross between functional findings and decorative findings.
This means that they are functional but due to the way they
are made and look, they are also considered decorative as
well. Examples of hybrid jewelry findings include the following:
Bead caps—these are metal ornaments that are placed
on glass or stone beads to cover any roughness.
Bracelet links—these jewelry findings are the links
along the bracelet that connect the clasps to the chain or
the links go along the entire bracelet.
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