Magnetic clasps vs other clasps

People who have pacemakers cannot wear magnetic clasps. I've never used them, but I've heard that the clasps are so strong that they tend to pull the crimps out of the bracelet, causing it to break. I imagine someone else here knows more about them than I do.

Patti

I've used the small ones, but only for light stuff. They don't hold a lot. Not good for lampwork bracelets.

I got a bigger one for this bracelet:

I guess it just depends on what you're using them for.

Lovely bracelet. I like the fold over magnetic clasps but the are hard to get here in UK.

I had to buy two bracelets when I wanted some clasps and take them off.

Shirley

In message , Beadbimbo writes

Oh gosh, I'm glad I asked. I never thought about pacemakers at all! The clasp on the one I bought seems fairly strong too. I don't know if it is strong enough to pull the crimps off the necklace, but I guess I'll wait and see. Thanks Patti!

Best, Christine

The necklace that I bought is pretty light, but your lovely bracelet looks much heavier. I think you're right - with lampwork gravity would probably win out :-)

Best, Christine

I can speak authoritatively as a disabled person. :-)

I have one paralyzed hand. I can use the "toggle" clasps (a circle on one side, a "T" on the other), which works for necklaces. A magnetic clasp I sometimes have trouble getting into the right position.

For bracelets, I make (and prefer) elastic ones that have no clasp at all.

Gina

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

I don't use magnetic clasps, ever, and here's why........ Magnetic clasps are especially bad for:

~ Bracelets. You can easily lose your bracelet to a railing or something else metal, as the clasp will snatch it and your bracelet will stick (and stay there as you continue on your merry way).

~ People with pacemakers, medicine implants, etc. Magnets interfere with the operation of these devices and can be quite dangerous for the wearer.

~ Messes with your technology -- from credit card strips to computer disks to many other th> Hi guys,

Thanks Sooz, I'm so glad I asked!

Best, Christine

One thing to remember with magnetic clasps is that you should should slide them apart, rather than pull them apart. That'll help keep the crimps safe.

I love my magnetic clasps, and so do the people who get the bracelets I use them on! One of my friends, an 87-yo lady, loves that she doesn't have to fight to get the ends together (no more chasing little jump rings with the lobster clasp!), and once I taught her to slide the pieces apart, she was able to get it off with no problem, too. I always attach a short piece of chain as a safety for those "just in case" moments.

Karen :)

I don't know if anyone else contributed this, but I have heard that mag clasps will also interfere with "patch" type meds - like the kind used for birth control or stopping smoking. Linda

Hmm! I did a search on Google, and I could only find one warning, which read:

"Medical experts recommend that magnets not be worn during pregnancy, when metal is embedded in the body (joint replacement, orthopedic pins, plates, or shrapnel), near an insulin pump or drug patch, or by people with electronic devices such as a pacemaker."

from one jewellery maker's website.

Best, Christine

I also found these warnings from a seller on eBay, but I still love to use mag clasps. :) "WARNING: DO NOT use magnetic products if you are pregnant, have a history of epilepsy, wear any Electro-medical devices such as a pacemaker or other metal implants that might be dislodged by exposure to magnets, use insulin pumps, automatic defibrillators or drug patches. Keep magnets away from computer hard drives, recording tape, credit cards, videos and CD's to prevent their being damaged or erased. Magnets should also be kept away from battery operated watches and hearing aids."

LOL, the magnets sure have the potential for trouble :-) The computer monitor warning is a good one. All the new My Little Ponies have a magnet in their hoof and a lot of people didn't realize this at first. There was at least one woman who managed to get a replacement monitor from Hasbro because she had lined up all her ponies on top of the monitor!

Best, Christine

Hi Karen,

I think yesterday's response disappeared into the void, so I'll try again! Thanks for the tip about sliding the magnets off. The magnet on this necklace is so strong, it takes a good pull to get it apart. I can see people trying to pull at the wrong place and ruin a necklace too, now that you mentioned that!

Best, Christine

What kind of elastic do you use for bracelets? I bought some stretchy clear elastic once, but I don't think it was a good kind. I noticed after a while that it yellowed very badly and really stretched!

Thanks for letting me know about the magnet clasps. I think down the road I might offer different clasps and switch them out if people want something different. It's funny that you mention toggle clasps, because I have so much trouble with them :-D

Best, Christine

The brand I use is called Stretch Magic. It comes in several thicknesses. I use 7mm for simple strands, and 5mm when I may pass the thread back through a bead more than once.

I haven't noticed any yellowing (yet). My oldest bracelets that I made with this re about two years old. I even used it for some brick (or square?) stitch beading, and although it is a tight squeeze I can stretch them over my hand, and they do resume their shape.

Gina