Jewelry clasp retaining member

Abstract

A jewelry clasp having a female housing with a male member for insertion into the housing, and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the male member into the housing. A resilient clip in the form of a substantially pear shaped configuration is mounted onto the male member to thereby effect unidirectional passage of the male member through a jewelry mounting aperture. The male member, when the clip is compressed, can pass through the aperture thereby mounting a piece of jewelry on a chain connected to the male member. When the clip is released, it returns to its expanded position and provides a thickness greater than the aperture, thereby preventing the jewelry from sliding off the chain. The clip passes through openings in the male member to secure the clip to the male member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.