A guide to Catches
There are a few different styles of catches that we have on chains or bracelets. We have listed the main catches you are likely to find on our items, and have added some pictures to make it easier.
Swivel catch.
A swivel catch gets its name from it having the ability to swivel. These styles of catches are usually found on the old Albert watch chains, which are holding pocket watches. They swivel making the watch more accessible to view. These catches are still used to this day but have also been made solid so that they do not swivel as people are now wearing the Albert chains as necklaces and if they where to swivel they would not sit right on the neck. The catch does not have a clip that you push down to open. You simply push the end of the chain into the catch and it has a hinge section that opens and clicks closed.
A swivel catch gets its name from it having the ability to swivel. These styles of catches are usually found on the old Albert watch chains, which are holding pocket watches. They swivel making the watch more accessible to view. These catches are still used to this day but have also been made solid so that they do not swivel as people are now wearing the Albert chains as necklaces and if they where to swivel they would not sit right on the neck. The catch does not have a clip that you push down to open. You simply push the end of the chain into the catch and it has a hinge section that opens and clicks closed.
Trigger / Lobster catch.
These styles of catch are the most popular in this present day. Most chains and bracelets are fitted with this sort of catch, as they are very strong and really reliable. They make great catches for the very heavy items of jewellery too as they are very durable and will last a very long time. These catches come with a small catch that needs to be pushed down to open the catch. It also needs to be pushed to release the other end of the chain when taking it off.
These styles of catch are the most popular in this present day. Most chains and bracelets are fitted with this sort of catch, as they are very strong and really reliable. They make great catches for the very heavy items of jewellery too as they are very durable and will last a very long time. These catches come with a small catch that needs to be pushed down to open the catch. It also needs to be pushed to release the other end of the chain when taking it off.
Bolt ring catch.
This catch is a very simple looking catch. They are mainly seen on delicate and dainty necklaces or chains. They are not really made to withstand a lot of pressure unlike the trigger or lobster catch. This is why you only see them on thinner chains. You may come across a large bolt ring catch on a bracelet but usually if you do the bracelet is only hollow. This catch comes with a small opening section which needs to be pushed to open.
This catch is a very simple looking catch. They are mainly seen on delicate and dainty necklaces or chains. They are not really made to withstand a lot of pressure unlike the trigger or lobster catch. This is why you only see them on thinner chains. You may come across a large bolt ring catch on a bracelet but usually if you do the bracelet is only hollow. This catch comes with a small opening section which needs to be pushed to open.
Padlock catch.
These catches are found on Bracelets such as charm bracelets and other fancy styles. The catch is usually a heart shape and it gets its name padlock as the front looks like a padlock which needs a key to open. These catches have a small loop attached to the top of them which a safety chain runs through. The catch opens up by carefully pushing the straight piece in, (at the top side of the catch), and as you push it in and pull it up it will release. These catches can come in allsorts of different styles and often have a lot of fancy engraved pattern on the front of them so they don’t look too plain when on a nice fancy bracelet.
These catches are found on Bracelets such as charm bracelets and other fancy styles. The catch is usually a heart shape and it gets its name padlock as the front looks like a padlock which needs a key to open. These catches have a small loop attached to the top of them which a safety chain runs through. The catch opens up by carefully pushing the straight piece in, (at the top side of the catch), and as you push it in and pull it up it will release. These catches can come in allsorts of different styles and often have a lot of fancy engraved pattern on the front of them so they don’t look too plain when on a nice fancy bracelet.
We can also fit new catches, some catches that seem damaged may only need a new spring and this service can also be done here at Pledge Jewellers.
