Necklace with detachable necklace strands

Abstract

A necklace with detachable necklace strands comprises a necklace clasp having two complementary clasp parts for fastening the necklace around the neck of a wearer, two connecting clasps coupled to respective ones of the clasp parts, and two or more necklace strands detachably attached at opposite ends thereof to respective ones of the connecting clasps. Each of the necklace strands may consist of two or more individual strands. In an alternative arrangement, one or more necklace strands may be premanently attached to the necklace clasp, and other necklace strands detachably attached to the necklace clasp. The necklace strands are interchangeable with one another thereby giving the wearer freedom of choice in creating different necklace designs having different ornamental appearances.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A necklace comprising: a necklace clasp having two complementary clasp parts releasably engageable with one another to fasten the necklace around the neck of a wearer; two connecting clasps coupled to respective ones of the clasp parts; and two or more necklace strands detachably attached at opposite ends thereof to respective ones of the connecting clasps.  
     
     
         2 . A necklace according to  claim 1;  wherein each necklace strand has at each of the opposite ends thereof a connector ring detachably attached to one of the connecting clasps.  
     
     
         3 . A necklace according to  claim 2;  wherein the connector rings are permanently connected to the ends of the necklace strands.  
     
     
         4 . A necklace according to  claim 1;  wherein at least one of the necklace strands comprises two or more individual strands having at each of their opposite ends a common connector ring detachably attached to one of the connecting clasps.  
     
     
         5 . A necklace according to  claim 1;  wherein each of the necklace strands comprises two or more individual strands having at each of their opposite ends a common connector ring detachably attached to one of the connecting clasps.  
     
     
         6 . A necklace according to  claim 1;  wherein the connecting clasps comprise spring ring clasps.  
     
     
         7 . A necklace comprising: a necklace clasp having two complementary clasp parts releasably engageable with one another to fasten the necklace around the neck of a wearer; two connector rings coupled to respective ones of the clasp parts; at least one necklace strand permanently connected at opposite ends thereof to respective ones of the connector rings; and one or more necklace strands detachably attached at opposite ends thereof to respective ones of the connector rings.  
     
     
         8 . A necklace according to  claim 7;  wherein each of the detachably attached necklace strands has at opposite ends thereof a connecting clasp detachably attached to one of the connector rings.  
     
     
         9 . A necklace according to  claim 8;  wherein the connecting clasps comprise spring ring clasps.  
     
     
         10 . In combination: a universal clasp comprising a necklace clasp having two complementary clasp parts releasably engageable with one another, and two connecting clasps coupled to respective ones of the clasp parts; and a plurality of necklace strands each having at opposite ends thereof a connector ring, the connector rings of each necklace strand being detachably attachable to the connecting clasps to enable desired ones of the necklace strands to be interchangeably, detachably attached to the universal clasp to create different necklaces.  
     
     
         11 . A combination according to  claim 10;  wherein the plurality of necklace strands includes necklace strands of different design, size or color.  
     
     
         12 . A combination according to  claim 10;  wherein one or more of the necklace strands comprises two or more individual strands having at each of their opposite ends a common connector ring.  
     
     
         13 . A combination according to  claim 10;  wherein the connecting clasps comprise spring ring clasps.  
     
     
         14 . A combination according to  claim 13;  wherein the plurality of necklace strands includes necklace strands of different design, size or color.  
     
     
         15 . A combination according to  claim 13;  wherein one or more of the necklace strands comprises two or more individual strands having at each of their opposite ends a common connector ring.