What are 'findings'?

December 11, 2009

Since I recently tried to put into words “what is a bead,” I thought I’d try this one also: What are findings?

Hmmm, in just a few words I’d say findings are:

  • Jewelry-making parts…
  • The components used to make jewelry…
  • Everything in your jewelry except the beads & string!

FINDINGS

FINDINGS

“Findings” is a phrase that we jewelry-making types use, a lot, for the specialized parts you need for making jewelry out of cord & beads. We can narrow this definition down and illustrate it by thinking about the kinds of jewelry that findings get used in:

  1. what_are_findings_bailsNecklace findings — pretty much the parts you bring in to make your pendant or beads stay in the necklace! (I.e. bails, more than anything.) Clasps are necklace findings too; among the approximately 50 skidillion varieties are pearl clasps, lobster clasps, toggle clasps, and bayonet clasps.
  2. what_are_findings_leather_cuff_endsBracelet findings — like necklaces, you’re essentially looking at clasps here, if it’s the kind of bracelet where you hook the ends together. Don’t forget leather bracelets, where cuff ends, like the awesome Tafurious line, “snap” it all together!
  3. what_are_findings_ear_findings2Earring findings — there are basically 2 types — those for pierced ears (so mainly ear wires, posts, and ear threads), and the ones that are for non-pierced ears (solutions like ear clips and ear cuffs).
  4. what_are_findings_beadable_findingsOther random findings — because there are so many jeweled things to be created, there are lots more kinds of specialized findings. I can think of: belt-buckle backs, cuff links, key rings, beadable writing pens, suspender clips, (finger) ring findings, and beadable cigarette-lighter covers off the top of my head.

Want to learn more about findings? Dive into Rings & Things for wholesale-priced findings! Remember, you can always phone us with questions for your order; it’s 1-800-366-2156.

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4 Comments

  • Reply Lori Anderson December 14, 2009 at 7:28 am

    I hate to admit that when I first started beading, I wondered why in the world these things were called “findings”.

  • Reply Dave Robertson December 15, 2009 at 11:46 am

    Honestly, Lori, before I started working here I didn’t know what findings were…except in research papers I read in college 🙂

  • Reply maneki December 16, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    Why it’s called findings and not “jewelry parts” or something like that? Which would make more sense. At least be easier for a novice to understand. Did someone loose the parts and then find them again (they can be small, it does happen)? Before I became a beader findings were only something related to research and lab tests — when something had indeed been found.
    I saw you found your way to my new blog too, Dave. Thanks for your comment. 🙂

    • Reply Dave Robertson December 17, 2009 at 9:58 am

      I need to run home and check my Oxford English Dictionary. “Findings” must be an old tradesmen’s word…?

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