Finding (jewelcrafting)

Common findings include ear wires and clasps.

Jewelry findings are the small parts and pieces used in the manufacture and assembly of jewellery. There are many small, standardized parts that are used so often that it's often not economical to make them every time they are needed. There is a whole industry devoted to manufacturing and selling them within the jewelry industry.

There is no real division of what parts are necessarily considered findings, but a wide variety of parts might be considered such. Elements considered findings include:

Settings for stonesetting. Although it's often necessary to custom make settings, there are thousands of varieties and sizes available for sale. Often the ready made version is appropriate and economical to use.

Clasps See the photo for an example of a clasp. In addition to whole clasps, there are findings for the parts of clasps should they need repair.

Earwires and all manner of ready made earrings and earring parts.

Wedding bands and simple engagement rings of all sorts and sizes.

Bales, loops and jumprings, which can be simple or complex parts for hanging pendants, charms and other such items.

Pinstems and brooch assemblies, used for making pins and brooches.

In addition there are thousands of miscellaneous items, such as tuxedo stud findings, letters of the alphabet, cluster settings of all sorts, metal beads and balls, stringing supplies and a wide variety of parts that the jeweler may find useful.

Though they may not strictly be considered findings, most suppliers also carry metal stock, sizing stock, solders, tubing and other items jewelers use on a day to day basis. Almost all findings are available in some form or another in all of the commonly used jewelry metals: base metals, sterling silver, and karat golds.