Jewelry

[culebra]

I purchased both the Ripka estate bracelet as well as the estate bar necklace.  I like them both.  I have learned with that particular Ripka catch you have to make sure the bracelet clicks in tight then close the metal bar in place. You can hear the click.

[Sammycat1]

I agree with Culebra.  I have several Judith Ripka bracelets -- some more than 12-15 years old with this clasp -- and have never had a problem. 

[persiflage]

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@Annabellethecat66 wrote:

@Shanus It's definitely the lock.  It's very strange.  Maybe rich people use those locks, I wouldn't know.  The metal wraps around the lock and clicks over it.  The problem is it won't push into the lock so you can wrap the metal around it so it falls off!

Here's the video from QVC where Nancy explains the catch:

blob:http://www.qvc.com/95dad629-7108-433c-8ab4-a8de9785f9f3

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@Annabellethecat66 Did you notice that there is a little "dimple" on the underside of the tongue?  The bar has a little "spike" on it, so the dimple has to be in the right spot for the spike to fit.  If the tongue hasn't gone in all the way the spike can't go in and the bar will not snap on, feels like it isn't long enough.  I got a great deal on the multi gemstone tennis bracelet because so many had trouble with the clasp.  They had been sold out and I got one of the returns, the tongue was sort of spread too much so I kept working it and "fixed" it.  Sometimes another problem can be that the tongue hasn't been spread far enough so it won't click in (too skinny to hold on and slides back out)  so you need to put something thin like a file between the top and bottom and expand it a little so it will slide and click into place.  Many years ago I made a wonderful buy on a vintage bracelet at an antique store (not a jeweler) with a box and tongue closure because they said it wouldn't stay closed, all I did was expand the space and have been wearing it for years. 

That said it is an unfortunate problem resulting in unhappy shoppers and they need to address that.  I don't have this bracelet but my friend bought it and hers works.

[just wonder]

I recd. this beautiful bracelet in the 14 kt. gold clan for Christmas and it is GORGEOUS!!!  While the clasp at first might seem a little tricky, it is soooo secure and blends right into the bracelet design; that's probably why the safety catch underneath.  I love the quite secure and tight clasp and hope to see this clasp in future line bracelets.  This bracelet looks very expensive and very true estate.  I never use this expression, but for this bracelet it fits:  it took my breath away when I opened it and far exceeded my expectations!!!  This bracelet should be much more expensive and you will love it!!!