How to Open or Close a Fish Hook Clasp

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Reviewed by Cory Schifter

Last Updated: March 10, 2025

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Opening a Clasp

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Closing a Clasp

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Fish hook clasps can be tricky to undo if you aren't familiar with them. They are commonly found on pearl necklaces. They consist of an oval-shaped element (the "fish") and a "hook" which is mostly concealed in the clasp, making it tricky to figure out. However, once you've done it a few times, it's easy! Note, however, that they may prove difficult for those that suffer from arthritis or similar conditions that limit movement of the hand.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Opening a Clasp

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1
Find a necklace with a clasp on it that looks like the above image, or similar.
- Note that the necklace pictured above is of considerable age and the clasp is a bit tarnished. Fish hook clasps can look slightly different from this example.
A flat side should face you, and your thumb and finger should hold both narrow sides.

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3
Hold the clasp and squeeze the narrow sides, where your fingers are, as shown above.^{[1]
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- As you're doing this, push the hook end back into the fish until you feel it loosen, and then pull it out.
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The necklace is now open!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Closing a Clasp

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2
Hold the clasp the way you did to open it, and reverse your steps.^{[3]
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- Feed the pointy end of the hook around the metal bar so that it looks like this:
You might hear a small click, or feel the end of the hook lock in place.^{[4]
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A closed clasp should look like the picture in the introduction.

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Question

I thread the hook into the top open section of the fish, hook it and push it down, but the top part of it does not go in. Any ideas

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Make sure the hook is going all the way down. Some clasps will only close completely in one direction. In other words, take out the hook, turn it 180 and insert back into clasp. It should slide and click shut.

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Question

Where are the gold markings on the clasp?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Markings on jewelry are usually stamped in very small letters on the side opposite the design. Gold can be marked with a number and letter or with a three digit number. The numbers are very small and are often stamped on the wide link next to the clasp.

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Tips

If there is considerable tarnish on the clasp, you might consider getting it cleaned. If the necklace is a set of pearls, do not attempt to do this by yourself, and instead consult a jeweler.

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Practice opening and closing the clasp a few times before you wear the necklace out.
- When putting the necklace on yourself, try putting it on backwards and looking in a mirror to see what you're doing, then turning it back around once the clasp is closed.
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Warnings

Stubborn clasps that won't open should be taken to a jeweler. Attempting to fix the problem yourself may damage the necklace.

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