How to Make a Quick & Easy Wire Infinity Clasp

Let’s start with something super simple. This easy infinity clasp was my go-to clasp design when I was making finished jewelry for sale, and I still use it on most of the jewelry I make for myself. I make it in three different sizes and wire gauges, and it works beautifully for everything from my biggest and boldest statement necklaces to my dainty little bar pendant.

I chose this clasp as my first tutorial because I hoped it would be an easy one to write. But because I make this clasp in three different sizes, it presented an unusual challenge. I’ve never seen a single wirework tutorial written for three different sized pieces before, so I had to get creative in my approach to writing this tutorial. I found that the clearest way to communicate three sizes at a time was to borrow a common technique used in crochet patterns.

Let me know how it works for you. If it’s easy to follow, I might extend the technique to future patterns for pendants, earrings, and bracelets that can be made in different sizes.

Copyright & Disclosure

As always, you’re welcome to make and sell products from this tutorial on the condition that you credit Wendi of Door 44 Studios for the design and link back to this page.

When it comes to my written tutorials, however, I reserve exclusive rights to all images and written content. You may not reproduce or redistribute any portion of the Easy Infinity Clasp tutorial in any way, shape, or form. Furthermore, you may not teach the designs contained within this tutorial without my written permission.

This copyright applies to the printable PDF version of the Easy Infinity Clasp tutorial as well, and it’s included therein. Don’t forget, you may share the free version of this tutorial only by linking directly to this page.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and then make a purchase, I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more, please see my full disclaimer.

Getting Started on the Easy Infinity Clasp

For best results, I recommend using half-hard solid copper or sterling silver wire for this clasp.

If you choose to use a filled wire, be advised that this clasp is finished and hardened by hammering the wire. Hammering may expose the wire core in filled wires, which will affect your final finish.

I don’t recommend using plated or anodized craft wire for this clasp as those finishes will be destroyed through this process.

A clasp is the most vulnerable part of any necklace or bracelet, and it tends to get more wear and tear. So you want your clasp to be a strong and durable as possible. If you choose to use dead soft wire, be sure to spend some extra time work hardening your clasp before using it for a finished necklace or bracelet.

How to Choose the Right Jewelry Wire

Jewelry wire is a constant source of confusion for beginners. I remember those days well! If you’d like to learn how to choose the right jewelry wire for wire weaving, be sure to read this post. In it, I share everything you need to know about jewelry wire as you set out on your wire weaving journey.

As I mentioned earlier, I make this clasp in three different sizes. And I use a different wire gauge for each size. I’ll refer to those sizes as Small (S), Medium (M) and Large (L) to keep things simple. I’ve included the wire gauges, wire usage, and finished size specifications below.

Finished Size: Small (S)

Wire Gauge: 20g
Approximate Wire Usage: 5 inches (13 cm)
Approximate Finished Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Finished Size: Medium (M)

Wire Gauge: 18g
Approximate Wire Usage: 6 inches (15 cm)
Approximate Finished Size: 1 1/2 inches (3.5 cm)

Finished Size: Large(L)

Wire Gauge: 16g
Approximate Wire Usage: 8 inches (20 cm)
Approximate Finished Size: 1 7/8 inches (4.5 cm)

Abbreviations

RS = Right Side
WS = Wrong Side
LOS = Liver of Sulfur (an optional finishing material)

Tools & Materials

Solid Copper Dead Soft Jewelry Wire (20g, 18g, 16g)
Wire Cutters
Chain Nose Pliers
Stepped Bail-Making Pliers
Nylon Jaw Pliers
Needle File
Chasing Hammer
Bench Block
Ruler
Fine Point Permanent Marker
Sunshine® polishing cloths (optional). These are the polishing cloths that I use for dry polishing jewelry.

Instructions

This tutorial is written for all three sizes of the Easy Infinity Clasp with the wire gauges and measurements for each size shown throughout this tutorial as S (M-L). Where only one measurement is shown, it applies to all three sizes. The medium-sized clasp, which uses 18g wire, is what is shown in all work-in-progress images.

This is a two-piece clasp design with both hook and loop components. However, the closed loop component is optional. If you wish to use only the hook, skip the following section and proceed directly to the Infinity Hook instructions below.

Infinity Loop

Step 1

Cut one piece of 20g (18g-16g) wire 2 1/2 inches (3 inches-4 inches) long. Mark the wire at 1 inch (1 1/4 inch-1 1/2 inch) from one end.

Step 2

Using the bail making pliers (or mandrel), place the 4 mm (6 mm-8 mm) tip at the mark made in Step 1. Using your thumb and index finger, wrap the short end of the wire around the tip and across the long end of the wire until the cross in the middle forms a 90-degree angle, as shown.

Step 3

Remove the loop from the tip of the mandrel and grasp the long end of the wire with the bail making pliers. Place the 4 mm (6 mm-8 mm) tip close to the point where the wires are crossed, making sure that your mandrel is positioned so you can wrap the wire in the opposite direction of the first loop.

Remember, you’re forming a figure 8 with the wire, so make sure you wrap the wire in the direction necessary to complete that figure. Using your fingers, wrap the straight end of the wire around the tip and across the center until the wires cross to form a 90-degree angle and the two cut ends of the wire lay parallel to one another.

Step 3 - Position your wire on your bail-making pliers as shown here. Then form the second loop for your Easy Infinity Clasp, loop component.

NOTE: Both ends should cross over on the same side, as shown below. This is the Right Side (RS) of your component.

Once both loops are formed, your loop component should look like the one pictured here. Note that both ends of the wire cross over the center point on the same side.

Step 4

Using your nylon jaw pliers, grasp one loop tightly, as shown, and wrap the end of the wire around to the Wrong Side (WS) of the component.

Trim the end of the wire close to the intersection with your wire cutters, and complete the wrap with your chain nose pliers. Remove any sharp burrs with your needle file, if necessary. The finished wrap should be very tight and secure on the WS of the component.

Step 4 - Wrap the ends of the wire over the center point. Trim and tighten the ends of the wire around the center point of the Infinity Loop.

Step 5

Repeat step 4 for the second closed loop. Looking at the RS of your component, you should now have two clean wraps around the center point. Use your chain nose pliers to squeeze the wraps together if there is a gap between them. Tighten each wrap now, if necessary, to make sure they remain snug and that the cut ends aren’t visible from the RS of the clasp.

Step 6

Using the chasing hammer and bench block, carefully flatten the loops on each side of the component. Be careful not to mark the center wraps with the hammer.

Step 7

Place the 6 mm (8 mm-9 mm) tip of your bail pliers or mandrel beneath the RS of one loop. Use your fingers to gently shape the loop around the mandrel to form a gentle convex curve. Repeat on the second loop.