Using Bails to Attach Vintage Pearl Buttons to a Bracelet

My answer to Crys’ question yesterday …

I think what you need are bails. Bails are metal findings designed with a loop to attach to a jump ring on one end and something to attach to a pendant or charm at the other. There are many types.

The ones which might work with your pearl buttons are prong (also called ice pick) bails, fold-over bails or glue pad bails. I’m afraid there is no way to safely attach bails without either drilling a hole at the very top of the charm/pendant or using epoxy or jeweler’s glue to bond the bail to the charm.

There are three Tall Mouse Arts and Crafts centers in California (Yorba Linda, Cerritos and Laguna Niguel) where you could examine the various types and get advice from the staff.

If none of these locations is close to you, a wide selection of bails is available online from Rings & Things. You will find photos of the various types of bails there.

Prong bails actually look like mini-ice picks or ice tongs. The bail folds over the charm and the little picks are inserted into the drilled hole to secure the charm.

Fold-over bails come in many designs. A leaf design on both sides is common. You fold the bail over the charm, leaving the loop for jump ring free, and glue one leaf to the front and one to the back of the charm.

What you describe sounds like a glue pad bail, though I haven’t seen any with clamps that cover the front. Usually there is simply a flat disk which is glued to the back of a pendant with a loop on the top for the jump ring.

I hope this is helpful.

Tags: vintage pearl buttons, button charm bracelet, jewelry bails, antique button bracelet