How to open a ball chain clasp (connector)

This is something I take for granted – I use (and wear) a lot of ball chains, the simple chains that are used in the military to hold dog tags – and out in the jewelry world, to also hold dog tag pendants. Plus a lot of other necklaces and pendants.

It’s like a lot of things – it’s not hard to do – once you know how. But if you aren’t used to them, they’re probably maddening! They don’t have a typical clasp. Instead, they have a connector as shown in the sketch below.

how to open the connector on a blall chain necklace

Each end of the ball chain has a simple “ball”. That ball slips into the opening on the connector and presto, your chain is closed! To open the chain, simply snap the ball out of either side of the connector. It sounds complicated – it’s not, really. Take hold of any ball chain and play with it. Twist the ball out of the opening, or snap it, or coax it any way you like. Once you try it, you’ll see what I mean. Sometimes they’re a little snug, and harder to open – but it’ll work. Really.

And you’ll always be able to open a ball chain from then on. Once you know how, you really know 🙂

And if you do need help, drop me a note – we’ll figure it out!

Dogtag necklace that says Ronin: a gift for Dad.

The dogtag necklace featured here says Ronin in Japanese kanji. In Japan, a ronin is a masterless samurai – literally, ‘wave man’ (understood as ‘a man tossed around like a wave’). I think the connotation has become “lone warrior”.

dogtag necklace that says Ronin in Japanese kanji

And a lot of guys seem to identify with being a Ronin. Maybe your guy, or your dad, is one of them? This could be a great gift for him. And Father’s Day is coming up. Just saying.

P.S. Or, you know, if you’re a secret warrior? It doesn’t matter if other people know it – you know. And maybe you too are a secret Ronin.