By Cynthia Unninayar, Editor-in-Chief

A new brand is changing the way we look at clasps for jewelry. Traditionally, necklaces and pendants have been attached by a clasp hidden at the back of the neck. Not only does this make the clasp difficult to attach, it misses an opportunity to display this unseen asset. But now, Florida-based Contemporary Clasps provides an innovative and artistic solution to bring the clasp to the forefront. Today, the challenge for retailers is to keep clients returning to the store, says Rose Mueller, who co-founded Contemporary Clasps with her husband Lornie. People are individuals and like to express their uniqueness in jewelry. Our clasps offer jewelers a means to provide their clients with a convenient, customized, and creative way to enhance and use their jewelry, whether in a new piece or in a favorite older piece. The clasps are interchangeable and can be customized to fit virtually any new or existing necklace or pendant. They can also be used as an attractive pendant themselves, worn on chains, beads, pearls, or cords that have been adapted to the system, thus adding versatility and variety to a jewelry wardrobe. To add to its flexibility, the system is unisex, off ering both men and women an endless variety of choices.

“Our ‘Art-of-Change’ system lends itself to an infinite number of jewelry combinations,” explains Lornie Mueller. “Contemporary Clasps off ers literally thousands of diff erent styles of clasps. They can be as simple as a pearl, a small silver or gold ball, or a more elaborately carved gemstone. For very special designs, they can be made in platinum set with diamonds. For more ‘cool’ styles, the clasps can even be made of small rubber balls set with sapphires.” Th e company offers their clasps and custom services to the retail jeweler. “Th e clasps and interchangeable jewelry can be a unique and profi table addition to any product line-up. With more and more people shopping on the internet, this helps retailers compete since one-of-a-kind pieces cannot be purchased online. In addition to off ering custom designs to their clientele, retailers have the possibility of transforming heirloom pieces into wearable art using the services of Contemporary Clasps,” adds Rose. Since versatility and individuality are so important today, the brand’s Art-of-Change system provides potential sales for additional clasps during holiday and special occasion buying. With retail prices beginning at around $175, the system is also aff ordable. It is no wonder, then, that Contemporary Clasps puts the clasp at the center of attention.

www.contemporaryclasps.com