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There are a lot of different clasp types. Getting to know them all takes time and usually money. There are some available at most craft stores and bead shops and then there are those that are harder to find. However, knowing all of your options can help you make the write choice for your project.

Those that can be found almost anywhere are often simpler, and of course less expensive. You still have a great number of choices. Every now and again you can find these in silver and gold (not just silver tone or gold tone, but the actual metal) at craft stores or bead shops. However, you usually find them in silver tone or gold tone, inexpensive, and good for every day jewelry, but not suitable for a high class piece.

Lobster Claw Clasp
This is a simple clasp that is easy to use. It often has a hook shape and a lever that opens and closes it. The other end of the clasp is a ring. Simple varieties are fairly common. While not the least expensive clasp on the block, it can be purchased in large lots for small dollars. Sometimes you can find really fancy ones, as well as precious metal versions.

Spring Ring Clasp
Much like the lobster claw clasp this clasp is a ring with a lever. It opens a small portion of the ring and hooks into a small bar with a hole. Even less fancy then the lobster claw clasp this one is very inexpensive in its regular version and often hard to find in precious metal. It is however, a small and simple clasp.

Barrel Clasps
Name as such because they look like little barrels when closed this clasp is easy to use and inexpensive. You can find them in a wide variety of sizes and different levels of detail. They are good for single strand pieces, but because they twist to hook up they can cause difficulties with more intracate jewelry.

Toggle Clasps
These are very common for use in bracelets, but can be used for other things. A toggle clasp is a ring and a bar. The bar fits into the ring when turned on its side, but can't easily slide out when it has been fitted against the ring. These are available inexpensively, but you can find fancy versions. Such as hearts with keys as their bar, or scroll designs.

Magnetic Clasps
These aren't always as available and some beadworkers don't like to use them for fear of loosing their jewelry. However, these can be very easy to use and helpful for people with arthritis or carpel tunnel who have a hard time working the other types of clasps. These are made with very powerful magnets and have a loop for easy attaching on both

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