topic Re: How to secure box and tongue closures on tennis bracelets? in Jewelry

How to secure box and tongue closures on tennis bracelets?

depglass — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 21:11:04 GMT

I recently bought a ruby tennis bracelet, I think its lovely even if it is fissure filled and not the quality of the rubies from the old days. The first time I wore it, it slipped off my wrist. I figured out what is happening, obviously I'm accidentally pushing down the little knob on the tongue when typing or whatever, and the catch part is releasing. Short of wiring the ends together, does anyone know a way to keep these things on your wrist? I lost two gold box and tongue bracelets years ago and try not to buy them. But this one I just couldn't resist.

Re: How to secure box and tongue closures on tennis bracelets?

Sooner — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 21:21:24 GMT

My tennis bracelet has one of those little catches on either side, and a bar that goes under the clasp and snaps as well.

Re: How to secure box and tongue closures on tennis bracelets?

Kachina624 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 21:23:42 GMT

Is there any where you could attach a safety chain on either side of the clasp? You can buy silver ones on eBay. Take you bracelet to a jeweler and see if he has a suggestion. You really can't enjoy it when you're worried about losing it.

Re: How to secure box and tongue closures on tennis bracelets?

Lavenderjunkie — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 23:54:24 GMT

Some box clasps are made of very thin metal and the tongue part gets flattened out. You can very gently lift the top of the tongue part of the clasp. This will make it fit more tightly. Then, check it frequently to see if it needs a further adjustment.

The tongue part of the clasp is actually a folded piece of metal. You can use a small knife to open up the fold a tiny bit. Just be very gentle.

Re: How to secure box and tongue closures on tennis bracelets?

violann — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:02:01 GMT

My experience-YRMV- many jewelers recommend NOT using chains, because if they catch on something they can make nor trouble than if they weren't there.

If I'm picturing the type clasp I think you mean, there has to be tension under the little knob in order to keep it latched.

Unless that type of clasp is fairly solid and the bracelet is fairly light, it may not be possible for there to be enough tension to hold the two sides together.

Re: How to secure box and tongue closures on tennis bracelets?

2blonde — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:38:01 GMT

Doesn't it have the safety catches on the sides of the bracelet? I can't imagine wearing a box closure bracelet without those safety catches (or at least one of them). The safety catches are easy to tighten (I do it with my teeth!). As someone else said, you can tighten the tongue by opening it slightly with a knife point. You do have to be careful with SS because it tends to be brittle and break if you fool with it too much.