Clasp Confusion!

Hello all! I've had this necklace for a long time and have yet to identify the clasp. I love vintage/antique jewelry and throughly enjoy dating pieces based on clasps and other identifying marks. I don't know if I'm just researching the wrong things, or if this is a random handmade piece. I've worn it once by putting it over my head, as that is the only way I can get it on. Never again as I'll likely break the chain, which is equally fascinating. Any answers will be much appreciated!

 

Hi... welcome to Antiquers.

It's not a clasp but a jump ring. It looks like the original clasp may have been broken or lost, so someone used a jump ring to connect both sides of the chain.

 

It's also possible it's a homemade necklace and the person who made it didn't have a clasp to use.

 

Ps, this necklace is Mother of Pearl with varying shades, and only looks gold because I took a quick photo with bad lighting ☺

 

Thank you! I've been going crazy trying to figure this out. What's interesting is that that the same piece (jump ring) is used in the drill hole of the butterfly, which is connected to another jump ring which is then connected to the chain. There is no difference in coloring, and I'm pretty sure this was all one original piece

 

This style of chain is usually called a 3 by 1 figaro chain - 3 small loops, 1 larger loop.

--- Susan

 

Welcome!

 

Didn't know that, Susan. Thanks for the info.

 

I'm guessing it dates to some time late 1970s/early 1980s, but it could be as recent as last week. Those carved mother of pearl pendants are still being made in China.

 

I wasn't really thinking it was worth anything. I just couldn't identify the clasp...because it isn't one. Now that I know it seems so obvious. But thank you everyone