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An easy jewelry clasp is a fastener, usually magnetic, that replaces a tiny lobster or spring-ring clasp so a necklace or bracelet can be closed with one hand and little finger strength, and a jewelry fastening aid is a tool that holds the piece while you close it.
Part of our Adaptive Daily Living series, which covers tools that make everyday tasks easier to do independently.
If arthritis has made it painful or impossible to close a necklace behind your neck, you don’t have to stop wearing jewelry you love. There are two different fixes. You can swap the clasp for one that snaps together, or you can keep the clasp and use a small tool that holds the piece for you. I went through retailer listings and sorted the options into five picks that cover both approaches.
Here’s what I’m covering below:
- The two ways to fix a hard clasp
- A quick comparison of the five picks
- Full reviews with who each is best for
- Magnet safety
- How to choose
- Answers to common questions
I haven’t tested these myself. The details below come from retailer listings, so check the current listing before you buy.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Listed Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qulltk Magnetic Converter Clasp | Magnetic converter | About $9 | Best budget pick |
| Spartina 449 Easy Magnetic Clasps | Magnetic add-on clasp | About $14 | Best for fine jewelry |
| Alexcraft 14K Gold Plated Magnetic Clasp with Extender | Magnetic clasp with extender | Check listing | Best for adjusting length |
| MEDca 6″ Jewelry Helper Tool | Alligator-jaw holding tool | About $12 (pack of two) | Best for keeping your own clasps |
| Bracelet Buddy | Clip-on bracelet helper | Check listing | Best for bracelets and watch straps |
What Actually Matters
- Replace the clasp or add a tool. A magnetic clasp changes your jewelry. A helper tool leaves it as it is, which matters for pieces with sentimental value.
- Magnet strength and weight. A magnet that is too weak can open by accident. Heavy pendants need a secure hold, so check reviews for pieces similar to yours.
- Size. A converter adds a small block to the chain. Check the dimensions on the listing against your jewelry.
- Material. Some people react to nickel and other metals. If you have sensitive skin, look for listings that describe the metal.
- Hand function. A magnetic clasp needs almost no pinch strength. A helper tool still needs you to work the final fastener with one hand.
The 5 Best Easy Jewelry Clasps and Fastening Aids
1. Qulltk Magnetic Converter Clasp
Price: About $9 | Type: Magnetic converter for necklaces and bracelets
A converter clasp that turns a regular chain into a snap-together magnetic one. The listing describes silver with 18K gold and silver plating and calls it hypoallergenic. A retailer listing I saw showed 4.7 stars from 71 reviews.
Why it’s a top pick: Low price for a magnetic fix.
Best for: Trying a magnetic clasp for the first time.
2. Spartina 449 Easy Magnetic Clasps
Price: About $14 | Type: Add-on magnetic clasp set
A small magnetic clasp, about 0.6 by 1 inch, in an 18kt gold-plated and sterling silver-plated set. One reviewer noted some weight, and the seller lists it as final sale, so check the return policy.
Why it’s a top pick: A more polished look than a basic converter.
Best for: Fine necklaces and bracelets worn every day.
3. Alexcraft 14K Gold Plated Magnetic Clasp with Extender
Price: Check listing | Type: Magnetic clasp with built-in extender
A gold-plated magnetic necklace clasp with an extender chain, described as sterling silver based. A retailer showed 4.6 stars from 51 ratings.
Why it’s a top pick: The extender lets you adjust length as well as fasten easily.
Best for: Necklaces that sit too short or too tight.
4. MEDca 6″ Jewelry Helper Tool
Price: About $12 | Type: Alligator-style holding tool, pack of two
A 6-inch all-metal tool with jaws that grip a necklace or bracelet end while you close the clasp with your free hand. The listing says it won’t scratch jewelry and is useful for reduced hand mobility, wrist pain or arthritis. It comes as a pack of two, so you can keep one in a purse. The listing showed 4.7 stars, but from only 3 ratings, so treat that as a small sample.
Why it’s a top pick: You keep your own clasps and jewelry unchanged.
Best for: People who don’t want to alter jewelry.
5. Bracelet Buddy
Price: Check listing | Type: Clip-on bracelet helper, about 7 inches
A gold-tone tool with a polymer clip that holds one end of a bracelet while you wrap it and close the clasp with your free hand. The listing says it also works with necklaces and watch straps. One reviewer with shaky hands said it held the bracelet steady. Another said chunky bracelets may slip off the clip, and one called it cheap plastic.
Why it’s a top pick: A simple “extra hand” for bracelets and watches.
Best for: Bracelets and watch straps.
Magnet Safety
Magnetic clasps are generally small, but magnets can interfere with some implanted medical devices such as pacemakers. If you have an implanted device, ask your doctor before wearing magnetic jewelry near your chest. Keep small magnets away from young children and pets, since swallowing them is dangerous.
Who Else Benefits
- People with carpal tunnel, tremors or reduced grip after a stroke
- People wearing jewelry with one hand
- Caregivers helping someone get dressed
- Anyone who finds tiny clasps frustrating
How to Choose
- Want the simplest fix: a magnetic converter (pick 1).
- Fine or everyday jewelry: an add-on magnetic clasp (pick 2).
- Need more length: a clasp with an extender (pick 3).
- Don’t want to change jewelry: a holding tool (pick 4).
- Mostly bracelets and watches: a clip-on helper (pick 5).
- Implanted medical device: ask your doctor first before choosing a magnetic clasp.
Other dexterity-friendly tools can help in the kitchen too. See our guide to rocker knives for arthritis, or large button calculators for easier-to-press keys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest clasp for arthritis?
Magnetic clasps are usually the easiest, because they snap together with very little pinch strength. A built-in lock on some designs stops them coming apart.
Can I put a magnetic clasp on a necklace I already own?
Often yes. A magnetic converter attaches to the ends of an existing chain or bracelet, though it needs to match the jewelry’s size and ring fit. Check the listing before buying.
Are magnetic clasps safe for people with pacemakers?
Magnets can affect some implanted devices. Ask your doctor before wearing magnetic jewelry near the chest.
Will a magnetic clasp hold a heavy pendant?
It depends on the clasp. Weaker magnets can open under weight, so check reviews for similar pieces and avoid using them for valuable heavy jewelry unless the listing says it is secure.
Is there a tool that helps put on a bracelet?
Yes. Helper tools hold one end of the bracelet while you close the clasp with your free hand, which suits people with arthritis, tremors or limited use of one hand.
Final Thoughts
You can keep your jewelry and still wear it comfortably. Pick a magnetic clasp if you want the easiest fix, or a holding tool if you want to leave the piece alone. For more on managing hand arthritis in daily life, see the Arthritis Foundation.