Day Collar Closure Guide: Closing Ring, Clasp, or Lock & Key?

One of the most common questions we receive about our Day Collars is:

Which closure should I choose?

Many Shield Maiden Day Collars are available with more than one closure option, and each creates a slightly different wearing experience.

Depending on the necklace, you may be able to choose between:

• a Closing Ring
• a Regular Clasp
• the Shield Maiden™ Signature Lock & Key Clasp

There is no single “best” option. The right choice depends on whether you want easy everyday removal, a more permanent fit, or the ritual and intention of a locking closure.

CLOSING RING

A Closing Ring is the simplest and most permanent of our closure options.

Instead of opening and closing with a clasp, the ends of the Day Collar are joined with a small metal ring. Once you have confirmed the fit, the ring is closed securely using a simple pair of pliers.

After it is closed, the necklace is intended to remain in place.

To remove it, the closing ring must be cut off and replaced.

A Closing Ring may be right for you if:

• you want your Day Collar to stay on continuously
• you do not need to remove your necklace regularly
• you prefer a simple, discreet closure
• you like the symbolism of a more permanent piece
• you do not want a visible traditional clasp

The material of the closing ring varies by necklace and may be sterling silver, gold-plated sterling silver, or gold-plated steel.

Important before closing the ring

Make sure you are completely happy with the fit before closing it.

Metal does not stretch or give, so your Day Collar should sit comfortably around the neck without feeling tight.

If you are unsure about your size, see our How to Measure Your Neck for a Day Collar guide before choosing your length.

REGULAR CLASP

A Regular Clasp is the most familiar and flexible option.

Depending on the design, the necklace may use a lobster clasp or another traditional jewellery closure.

Some of our Day Collars with regular clasps also include an extender chain, allowing you to adjust the length slightly. Others are made at a fixed length.

Always check the individual product description to see whether an extender is included.

A Regular Clasp may be right for you if:

• you want to remove your Day Collar whenever you like
• you prefer traditional jewellery hardware
• you want the easiest option for everyday wear
• you occasionally need to remove jewellery for work, travel, medical procedures, sports, or other activities
• you want some adjustability, if the particular design includes an extender

If you are buying your first Day Collar and are uncertain about committing to a permanent or locking closure, a regular clasp is often the simplest place to start.

SHIELD MAIDEN™ SIGNATURE LOCK & KEY CLASP

For those who want something more intentional, many of our designs are available with the Shield Maiden™ Signature Lock & Key Clasp, a proprietary closure forged for strength, trust, and intention.

Instead of a traditional clasp, the closure is secured and released using a small Allen key.

Once locked, it does not casually open during wear. Removing it is a deliberate act.

For some wearers, that simply means a beautifully engineered locking necklace.

For others, the act of locking and unlocking a Day Collar can carry personal meaning, commitment, ritual, or symbolism.

The Lock & Key Clasp may be right for you if:

• you want a true locking Day Collar
• you prefer a clean closure without a traditional jewellery clasp
• you want your necklace to feel intentional rather than casually removable
• symbolism or ritual is part of what the piece means to you
• you simply love the look and engineering of the locking clasp

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE KEY?

Every locking Day Collar includes the key required to open the clasp.

If you plan to wear your Day Collar regularly, we recommend keeping the key somewhere accessible.

We also created the Lock & Key Keeper, designed specifically to hold the small Allen key used with the Shield Maiden™ Signature Lock & Key Clasp.

It allows the key to be kept as a pendant, stored safely, or given to someone meaningful to you.

CLOSING RING VS LOCK & KEY

These two options are sometimes confused, but they work very differently.

A Closing Ring is physically closed with pliers and is not designed to be reopened. To remove the necklace, the ring must be cut and replaced.

The Lock & Key Clasp can be opened and closed repeatedly using its key.

So, if you want a Day Collar that stays on until you intentionally remove it but can still be reopened without damaging the closure, choose the Lock & Key Clasp.

If you want the simplest and most permanent option, choose the Closing Ring.

WHICH CLOSURE IS MOST DISCREET?

That depends somewhat on the design.

A regular clasp looks like conventional jewellery hardware.

A closing ring is extremely simple and can blend naturally into the necklace design.

The Lock & Key Clasp is more distinctive, although on many Shield Maiden designs it becomes part of the jewellery itself rather than something we try to hide.

WHICH ONE IS BEST FOR EVERYDAY WEAR?

All three can work beautifully for everyday wear.

Choose based on how you actually live.

Choose a Regular Clasp if you remove your jewellery frequently.

Choose a Closing Ring if you want the necklace to remain on continuously and are comfortable cutting and replacing the ring when removal is eventually necessary.

Choose the Lock & Key Clasp if you want a secure, reusable locking closure with more intention and symbolism behind it.

STILL NOT SURE?

Think about one question:

How often do I want to take this necklace off?

If the answer is often, choose a Regular Clasp.

If the answer is almost never, a Closing Ring may be perfect.

If the answer is only when I deliberately choose to unlock it, the Shield Maiden™ Signature Lock & Key Clasp was made for exactly that.

Explore Shield Maiden Day Collars

Browse our collection of Day Collars, including traditional clasp, closing ring, and locking designs created for everyday wear.