Sometimes, it’s the little things that count, and when it comes to jewelry, it’s the really little things. So little, in fact, that you may have never noticed a tiny detail that can mean the difference between fine workmanship and a basic. If you don’t know a great deal about how jewelry is made, or if you don’t have much of an eye for design, or if you count yourself amongst the jewelry clueless, allow me to call your attention to a minuscule component called a bead cap.
We all want to know we have chosen wisely when making an expensive purchase such as jewelry. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to know if we are getting our moneys worth. There are a few telltale signs, however, that reveal the designer or craftsperson put a bit of extra thought into the creation of their product, even if it’s in a detail that you may not have otherwise noticed.
When examining a piece of jewelry to determine value, whether buying for yourself, as a gift, or just browsing, there are a few factors that are a dead giveaway with respect to answering the craftsmanship question. One factor is the weight. For example, if you were to hold a visually identical designer watch in each hand, one that is crafted in gold and the other only plated with gold, the heavier timepiece is almost certain to be the genuine one. In the case of quality natural versus imitation diamonds, the dead giveaway that can determine a quality cut is the scintillation. In this article by the American Gem Society, scintillation is described as the flashes of both white and color sparkle thrown out by the movement of light, whether the diamond, the person, or the light source is moving. Often, a poorly cut or imitation gem does not possess observable flash or fiery scintillation. Finally, adding extra touches, such as attaching a unique clasp, a safety chain, or using decorative bead caps, can suggest quality, thoughtful design.
What is a bead cap? Think of a baseball cap without the bill, or visor, that sticks out in front. A bead cap is simply a half round, or domed, cap with a tiny hole at its center top that sits between the end of a round bead or gem and the pin or wire connecting the embellishments together, whether on a necklace, earring dangle, or pendant drop. Bead caps come in all shapes and sizes, finishes and textures. They can be cutout, corrugated, flower or star-shaped. They are found in all kinds of metals, covered with tiny gems, diamond cut to sparkle, or shiny and smooth.
A bead cap is simply an enhancement. In the same way you might use fancy, decorative bookends for the leather-bound books on a shelf, or colorful sprinkles on a cupcake, or the perfect handbag, scarf, or belt to set off an outfit, bead caps are a tiny little touch that can make a big difference in the perceived quality of a piece of jewelry.
Bead caps can also serve a more practical purpose, in that when using a bead or pearl with a larger hole, a bead cap can be used as a stopper of sorts, to stabilize the bead, so that it is securely held in place and doesn’t slide along the wire or off the pin end.
There are so many tiny parts and pieces used in the creation of jewelry that sometimes, these little details go unnoticed. Now that you can identify one of them, you can compare items as you shop, and feel a bit more confident that you are making a purchase with that little bit of extra something…A detail that makes a difference.
Sparkle on!
Laura